Deep-seated aversion to conflict, violence and exclusion drove me to volunteer for peace

Sabina Stein, former UN Youth Volunteer
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Preselected by cinfo, the Swiss Center for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions relating to International Cooperation, for a UN Youth Volunteer position funded by the Swiss Government, Sabina Stein started her first professional field experience two years ago. Now working as an Associate Political Affairs Officer for the United Nations in New York, Sabina shares her feelings and experiences as a UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Colombia.

What motivated you to work in international cooperation?

Improving the access of vulnerable populations in Burundi to water and sanitation facilities

Mirco Keller, former UN Youth Volunteer with UNICEF, Burundi
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For young Swiss graduates, UN Youth Volunteer positions, facilitated by cinfo, the Swiss Center for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions relating to International Cooperation, are an attractive opportunity to start a career in international cooperation. They provide solid field experience and networking opportunities that may lead to further employment within the international development arena. How did people experience their assignment in the field? Read the testimonial of former UN Youth Volunteer, Mirco Keller, who laid the foundation for his career in international cooperation through an assignment with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme.

What was your UN Youth Volunteer assignment?

My UN Youth Volunteer assignment in 2013 was as a WASH Specialist for UNICEF in Burundi. I was based in the capital Bujumbura and supported various aspects of UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene programme, mostly targeting rural areas of Burundi. My tasks included among others the follow-up of emergency relief activities for returning refugees, the supervision of partner organizations and contractors who implemented project activities and the development of proposals on WASH innovation.

UNV and UNFPA partner on Young Innovators Fellowship Programme

New York, United States of America
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Enabling young people to realize their full social, economic and human potential is a key aspect of this UNV-UNFPA partnership.

Implementing durable solutions for refugees in Ukraine through volunteerism

Liliia Huzeieva, UN Volunteer Senior Social Counsellor, Ukraine
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Ukraine is a destination and transit country for persons with international protection needs, as well as economic migrants seeking to enter the European Union (EU) for an estimated number of over 8000 people. Representing around 50 different nationalities, most of them are registered with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and rely on its assistance. Liliia Huzeieva, aged 22, joined UNHCR as national UN Volunteer in the fall of 2018 to support its work in providing durable solutions for refugees and asylum seekers in Ukraine.

Born in Donetsk region in Ukraine, Liliia was forced to leave her hometown because of the armed conflict. This displacement catalyzed an urge to help those who were in a similar situation and less fortunate than her.

Liliia's first experience of working with refugees and asylum seekers was a short-term European Voluntary Service education project for refugees in Gaziantep, Turkey, and it led to an awakening within her of how her contribution could bring about a change for the better in both herself and society.

First UN Refugee Volunteer in East and Southern Africa urges world at Davos to empower refugees as agents of change

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First UN Refugee Volunteer in East and Southern Africa urges world at Davos to empower refugees as agents of change

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Promoting quality and inclusive education through communication and connection in Kenya

Asako Ikegami, HRD-UN Volunteer Education Project Officer, Kenya
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Creating educational and vocational opportunities for all, including refugees from South Sudan, Somalia and Middle-Eastern countries such as Yemen, has been a tremendous challenge in Kenya. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been working to provide quality and inclusive education for vulnerable populations in the country, in collaboration with the Government, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Education (GCED) works to instil in learners of all ages the values, attitudes and behaviours that support responsible global citizenship: creativity, innovation and commitment to peace, human rights and sustainable development. Combined with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) these interdisciplinary learning methodologies are integral to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 Goal (SDG4) which seeks to promote equality and inclusive education for all.  

UNV Executive Coordinator, Olivier Adam, makes an Official Visit to UN Volunteers in Colombia

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As part of the official visit to Colombia of Mr. Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers Program, the volunteer who support the work of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia and the different Agencies, Funds and Programmes, shared the result of their work in the field. The volunteers received a recognition for their achievements towards peace and development.

Driving better humanitarian outcomes through communication and coordination in Sudan

Sachiyo Miwa, HRD-UN Volunteer Humanitarian Officer, Sudan
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At the end of March 2018, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and its partners estimated that 5.5 million people in Sudan require humanitarian assistance, an increase of 0.7 million compared to 2017. The increase is due in part, to the South Sudanese refugee influx, disease outbreaks, food insecurity and malnutrition. While agricultural production in Sudan improved in 2017, food insecurity continues to be driven by rising prices for basic commodities.

Sachiyo Miwa served as a UN Volunteer Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer with OCHA in the Sudan under the Human Resource Development Programme for Peacebuilding and Development.

During her assignment, Sachiyo gained critical oversight of the challenges actors face in delivering humanitarian response efforts. Sachiyo worked for the Coordination Support Section of OCHA, with a focus on assisting senior management in the preparation for Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) meetings and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) meetings. 

Volunteering at the forefront of peace operations

UNV partnering with UN Peacekeeping
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More than one billion people volunteer every year, at home or abroad, including with the United Nations. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme deploys thousands of professionals annually with UN peacekeeping missions and development interventions. These UN Volunteers have a clear goal: to contribute their time and expertise towards sustaining a peaceful world in which no one is left behind.

Within UN Peacekeeping, combining the powers of peacekeepers and volunteers reinforces efforts to foster peace. This strong partnership started in 1992 and has grown to become an inherent component of civilian personnel within most peacekeeping missions since then.

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