Women volunteers possessing traditional knowledge and genetic resources are scientists in their own stead

UNV partnering with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility
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The UNDP-GEF Global Access and Benefits Sharing (ABS) Project recognizes the value of traditional knowledge and the role of women in preserving and transmitting it to new generations. Supported by UNV, the project promotes the participation of women from indigenous populations as volunteers for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. Rich in traditional knowledge and genetic resource knowledge, these women are scientists in their own stead.

The fair and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources is one of the three pillars of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and its application is the main objective of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS).

More than 50 volunteers from indigenous populations and local universities collaborate to guarantee access to genetic resources and fair and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from their use in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Panama.

Promoting a just, peaceful and inclusive society in Bolivia

Damien Wolff, international UN Volunteer Specialist in Bolivia
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During my two-year mission in Bolivia, I assisted the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in promoting and implementing actions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, peace, justice and strong institutions. I had the opportunity to make a contribution to the building of a peaceful and inclusive society, with access to justice for all through effective and accountable institutions. As a result of volunteering, I feel I have grown in the best possible way as a person and as a professional.

My arrival in Bolivia at the end of 2015 coincided with two important milestones for the country and for the organisation I came to serve. On the one hand, Bolivia was looking forward to its first Justice Summit, as a result of a long and comprehensive process of reflection and consultation on the reform of the country’s justice system. On the other hand, UNODC was on the verge of developing a new multiannual assistance framework for the period 2016-2020 that needed to fully take into account Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Communicating to support the displaced in Congo’s Pool region

Florence Danner
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As a passionate communicator, I have been serving as UN Volunteer in Congo since October 2015. I am a Communication Specialist for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Congo Brazzaville.

My daily work is very busy and captivating. I promote UNDP and the United Nations system projects and work with national and international partners to support our actions and ensure the visibility of our results. I help coordinate the communication activities of UN agencies in the country along with other UN communication officers. I meet regularly beneficiaries of UNDP, especially  young people, in order to conduct interviews or reports.

I have found myself passionate about communicating about the SDGs and I regularly train local NGOs on this topic.

Providing security and maintaining peace in Northern Mali

Ouedraogo Mohamadi
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My inspiration comes from the first UN Volunteers I met in Darfur. They often live far from home and in some cases, serve in hostile situations. Through them I see that everyone should work daily to support and maintain peace. My model is the United Nations with all its volunteers and their great ideas.

My name is Ouedraogo Mohamadi. I am an international UN Volunteer working as an information analyst at the Joint Mission Analysis Centre (JMAC) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). I started in Kidal but now work in Gao, Northern Mali. My role is to collect and analyse data as part of MINUSMA's mandate. I also assist the Head of the Mission in Gao. I help ensure that the mission's mandate is carried out.

UN Volunteer with UNICEF works with drones on emergency flood response in Malawi

International Volunteer Day 2017
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Working in Malawi has always been exciting. As a student in conflict and development, I came to the country to conduct research on street vendors and organizational structures in the markets. Three years later, I find myself working with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, as part of UNICEF’s emergency flood response.

Malawi has limited road access to rural areas, and after a flash flood earth roads can turn to rivers, completely cutting off affected communities. Using drones, we fly over the affected area and see clearly what the impact has been on the ground, using this information to inform the disaster response.

The Disaster Coordinator, Blessings, called the crisis team together to discuss the assessment mission, the benefits of drones and how they can assist in coordinating the response.

UN Volunteers inspect aid convoys going from Turkey into Syria

International Volunteer Day 2017
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Five international UN Volunteers work closely with local customs officials in Gaziantep, Turkey, to conduct visual and physical inspections of United Nations cargos going into Syria.

Since cross-border operations started in July 2014, aid materials sent by UN organizations arrive at UN bases in Turkey, where materials are moved from Turkish international road transports (TIRs) to Syrian TIRs.

Later, TIRs cross into Syria as aid convoys under the supervision of the UN. The aid is then distributed by the UN's local partners in Syria. The whole operation is coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA).

UN Volunteers help rebuild communities affected by earthquake in Ecuador

International Volunteer Day 2017
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After the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Ecuador in April 2016, affecting the lives of around 720,000 people and with almost 30,000 people having to seek refuge in temporary camps, UNV supported the work of UN agencies with the rapid mobilization of 29 national and three international UN Volunteers who worked on emergency response, most of them in the areas directly affected by the earthquake.

Within the first three weeks after the earthquake, UNV mobilized five UN Volunteers to immediately support the work of UN agencies after the earthquake. The rest of UN Volunteers were deployed during the three months after the disaster. They all worked directly with the communities and the people who suffered the devastation of the earthquake, focusing mainly on reaching families, especially women and children who lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods, helping build their capacity and supporting strategies for economic empowerment.

Volunteers help rebuild communities affected by the earthquake in Nepal

International Volunteer Day 2017
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In the wake of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, UNV partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to swiftly mobilize a total of 107 UN Volunteers who served in earthquake-affected sites to perform critical functions and deliver services to the victims.

The earthquake, which hit Nepal on 25 April 2015 with multiple aftershocks, brought about widespread destruction across the country and resulted in 8,790 deaths, 22,300 injuries and 755,549 houses that were either damaged or completely destroyed. 

In coordination with UNDP experts on demolition, UN Volunteers undertook the structural assessment of public and private buildings damaged by the earthquake, including schools, health posts and monasteries.

UN Volunteers support the electoral process in Burkina Faso

Electoral process in Burkina Faso
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Following the October 2014 protests in Burkina Faso, the Projet d’Appui aux Elections (Electoral Support Project) was developed in 2015 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. With the aim to help organize free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections, 14 international and 48 national UN Volunteers were deployed throughout the country to support the CENI - Commission électorale nationale indépendante (Independent national electoral commission).

In Korsimoro City, near the capital Ouagadougou, UN Volunteers encourage people’s participation in the elections. Through citizenship awareness sessions, they especially encourage the participation of women in the electoral process.

“Women account for most of the country’s electorate, and therefore play a significant role in the country’s development,” adds Somda Flore, another national UN Volunteer.

Giving hope to vulnerable groups affected by armed conflict in South Sudan

Jackson Kambale Hangi
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Everything started in March 2017 when I accepted an assignment as a Civil Affairs Officer with the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). News and reports on the dynamics of the conflict in this country heralded my deployment—a number of my friends tried to discourage me from going. Despite their concerns, I was determined to accept the assignment due to the possibility of engaging with communities at the grassroots-level. Serving as a UN Volunteer with UNMISS, I knew, was going to contribute to peace efforts in South Sudan.

The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) was established in 2011 and since the outbreak of conflict in 2013 its mandate has evolved to include the  protection of civilians the monitoring and investigating of human rights abuses, support to the South Sudanese–led peace process and support for the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance. Some 440 UN Volunteers, such as myself, are on location supporting mission objectives and assisting local communities.

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