On 14 July 2026, UN Volunteers serving with UNICEF came together from across the globe for the first Learning Townhall. The idea was built around a simple question: what do volunteers need to grow, thrive and achieve even greater impact? 

Opening the event, Tapiwa Kamuruko, Chief of the Volunteer Advisory Services Section at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), reflected on the webinar series and its focus on understanding and measuring volunteerism.

A major outcome of the Forum was the inclusion of volunteerism in the Ministerial Declaration, recognizing volunteers' contributions to supporting communities, strengthening resilience and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition is an important milestone for IVY 2026 and shows growing global support for volunteerism as a driver of sustainable development.

From Guinea to Nicaragua, from North Macedonia to Uzbekistan, and from Australia to Peru, these Online Volunteers who joined the campaign come from geographically diverse places. Some are students, others are professionals. They are connected by a shared belief that peace begins with dialogue.As these Online Volunteers are the experts and influencers within their communities, they are able to lead peace and security dialogues that are tailored to the specific context in which they are set.

The Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) New York published its latest bulletin—the edition focused on volunteerism.

Join the Global LineupOur partnering entities include the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO).  Who can apply?

In April 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) convened in Bonn, Germany for a two-day mission to the UNV Headquarters, a moment to reflect on a collaboration that has grown steadily both in scale and strategic depth, and to look ahead at what it can still become.

En 2013, esa convicción me llevó a incorporarme como Voluntaria ONU Especialista Nacional con el PNUD en República Dominicana. Junto a más de 1,000 personas voluntarias, coordiné una consulta nacional en las 32 provincias del país en la que participaron más de 220,000 dominicanos y dominicanas, posicionando al país en el octavo lugar de 193 naciones en una consulta ciudadana global sobre prioridades de desarrollo.

To build resilience, urban leaders must recognize residents as essential partners. The 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR) offers guidance on strengthening this civic infrastructure. Here's my take.