Why Evidence matters for VolunteerismOpening the session, Emiliya Asadova, UNV Team Lead for Evidence, stressed the need for stronger and more inclusive data on volunteerism. Without solid evidence, the work of volunteers risks remaining invisible in national policies and development planning—valued in practice, but absent on paper.

Mayor Guido Déus highlighted Bonn’s long-standing connection to the United Nations and the importance of making this presence visible to the public: “Bonn has been closely linked with the United Nations for many years and has developed into an important centre for sustainability and international cooperation. The UN Campus, more than any other place in Bonn, represents the transformation from the former capital to an international city of sustainability.

Working remotely across borders and time zones, Online Volunteers embed global expertise directly into UNDP’s daily work—proving that impact is no longer bound by geography. Like Kobchat, Colman Hands, is also an Online Volunteer. He is an accomplished energy and sustainability professional, with a graduate degree in Sustainability and Environmental Systems and a bachelor's in Project Management.

Led by UNICEF’s global fundraising teams within the Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), the Fx programme builds long-term fundraising skills across country offices. Its New Talents pathway focuses on digital fundraising, building the practical skills offices need to grow local support sustainably.

I saw this gap up close, when I attended this year's Humanitarian Network and Partnerships Week in March 2026 in Geneva, a global forum for all humanitarian actors, including volunteer-involving organizations. Across discussions, one message came through clearly: business as usual will not work. This year, the focus was on humanitarian reset and what it means for the people affected by the humanitarian crisis. 

What is your educational background? I have a bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies/Political Science and a master’s degree in International Relations with focus on conflicts and transformations in the Middle East.