Changing perceptions of persons with disabilities in Cote d'Ivoire

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Adam Sacko, Celestine Amoin Kouakou, Georges Kpadenou, and Vincent Bohouo have one thing in common — all four of them serve as UN Volunteers in Côte d'Ivoire. They are volunteers with disabilities who make the United Nations system more inclusive — we call them the heartbeat of the UN. This story gives a glimpse into how they are changing perceptions of persons with disabilities while adding value to the development context of their home country.

Together with UN Women, three of these UN Volunteers serve in tasks related to administration, finance and programme support. Adam creates a detailed database of partners, including embassies, NGOs, and government authorities, and through this, she tracks projects and improves their visibility. Some of these projects advocate for gender equality, combatting discrimination and standing up for inclusion. Celestine finds employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Youth volunteers push for nature-based solutions

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The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) initiated the Young Talent Pipeline, bringing together youth from around the world to create impactful environmental solutions. The first phase of this initiative was launched in 2023 through which young people between the ages of 27 and 33 years got opportunities to delve deep into environmental projects. UN Volunteers — Chawanagwa Nyirenda, Luis Pineda and Samantha Dalvalos were part of the first cohort and have just ended their volunteer assignments. Let's hear from them.

Chawanagwa Nyirenda's grassroots experience with 14 communities in Malawi on climate change adaptation led him to the Young Talent Pipeline.

Reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Madagascar

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In a small hospital in Ambovombe, South Madagascar, I am a gynecologist and obstetrician supporting the health needs of the local population. In doing so, I face ups and downs but my motivation to volunteer is not hampered by challenges abound. I am a UN Volunteer Reproductive Health Expert with the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) and this is my story.

My name is Sadoscar Hakizimana. I am from Burundi.

I am a medical doctor by profession.

I started my volunteer assignment roughly two years ago — in August 2022.

Volunteering bridges gaps for migrants in Mongolia

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Minkyung Cho is a UN Volunteer Associate Officer with the International Organization for Migration in Mongolia since April 2024. Her volunteer assignment is fully funded by the Republic of Korea.

Cho's fascination with Mongolia's development trajectory began during a previous project with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Witnessing the nation's hurdles firsthand, she felt compelled to contribute on a broader scale. The UN Volunteer opportunity seemed like the perfect platform to explore the UN system's role in fostering sustainable development, especially on human mobility issues.

Working alongside government to curb malaria transmission

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Sanjeev Roy is a UN Volunteer Provincial Malaria Officer in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). He is with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supports the government’s drive to curb malaria transmission in hard-to-reach areas of Attapeu, the country's southern province. From fine-tuning surveillance systems for malaria elimination to tailoring malaria interventions in an ethnically and geographically diverse context, Sanjeev gives us a brief look into his volunteer assignment that promotes Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good health and well-being.

A national of Nepal, Sanjeev Roy joined WHO in 2022. He has previous experience in working with malaria infection in his native Nepal, which has seen considerable success in eliminating the life-threatening disease.

Data analysis for people

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In his assignment, Abdul Halim Zaazaa, a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) turns data into action points. He serves as an Associate Reporting Officer in his native Lebanon, where through quantitative and qualitative analysis, he draws links to how programmes are prioritized within the Lebanese Response Plan.

Abdul Halim's journey with UNDP began with a deep interest in using data-driven, evidence-based approaches to tackle the humanitarian issues in Lebanon and support initiatives to build peace and stability.

For him, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of his volunteer assignment is the direct impact it has on society. "Incorporating data analysis into tangible humanitarian projects and interventions reinforces my connection with society at large. Specifically with vulnerable communities," he shares.

The voice of youth from Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe

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This is a story of three UN Volunteers, Arminda Ceita, Hugo Robert Carnell and Joel Benguela D'Almeida based in Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe. All three believe that investing in youth skills is vital for any sort of sustainable development on the ground. Here are reflections from their service with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Arminda Ceita is a UN Volunteer Adolescent Engagement Officer with UNICEF in Guinea-Bissau. In her volunteer assignment, she pays close attention to the voice of youth and a safe space for their equal participation. 

One of Arminda’s areas of service is the well-being of adolescent girls. She also spreads awareness of climate change and gender equality.

Supporting humanitarian action through volunteering

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Tetiana Mykytenko, Daria Satska, and Kostiantyn Boreiko serve in the context of emergency response to the war in Ukraine. All three UN Volunteers amplify the importance of humanitarian aid and necessary mechanisms in place to support people in need during crises.

Tetiana Mykytenko serves with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Czechia. She wanted to do something positive even as things looked bleak in her home country, Ukraine.

She sought refugee in Czechia and that's when she joined UNHCR as a UN Volunteer Refugee Community-Based Protection Assistant. 

The SG's Report 'Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' is live

United Nations Volunteers, Bonn
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The Report sets out progress made by Member States and other stakeholders in creating opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to participate in development processes through volunteering and working in partnership with volunteers to address challenges arising from conflicts, disasters and climate change.

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