Working together to ensure inclusion for young professionals with disabilities

International Day of People with Disabilities
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Launched in 2018, the Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities is being implemented jointly by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the United Nations Development Programme. Attuned to the Sustainable Development Goals principles of leaving no-one behind, the talent programme aims to increase opportunities for young professionals with disabilities, to gain work experience with the United Nations and to increase their future employment opportunities with the development sector, including the United Nations.

In 2018, four candidates have already been selected for assignments with UNDP in Armenia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.  

UNV-IBSA project sharpening the skills of youth volunteers for increased employability

New York, United States of America
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Prior to the thematic solution forum, H.E. Serei Chumneas, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Cambodia, spoke about the development results of the IBSA project at the 15-year Anniversary Celebration and Report Launch of the IBSA Fund.

Justice for all: the experience of a UN Volunteer with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime

UNV partnering with UNODC
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Equitable justice is made possible through effective investigation and the right to a fair trial. That is why the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supported the establishment of forensic services, including the creation of the first Palestinian Forensic Laboratory. Meet the UN Volunteer who worked at this project.

The idea that UN Volunteers work only in humanitarian or relief fields is far from the truth. Julie – a 28-year-old volunteer – has been supporting a UNODC project aimed at developing forensic services in Palestine.

UN Volunteers with UNHCR supporting vulnerable children and abuse survivors in Cairo

UNV partnering with UNHCR
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Egypt hosts refugees and asylum seekers from more than 50 nationalities, primarily Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Sub-Saharan Africa. Difficult socio-economic conditions impact the lives of these vulnerable communities. Farah Nasef (Egypt) serves as a UN Volunteer Child Protection Assistant. Cristina Palacios (Spain) is a UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer for Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Together with other UN Volunteers, they help UNHCR support the refugee communities.

There are more than 240,000 refugees and asylum seekers currently registered with UNHCR Egypt. Many are women and children.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) provides registration, refugee status determination, and protection assistance to refugees and asylum seekers from 58 nationalities, in coordination with national and international NGOs.

UNV at the Global South-South Development EXPO 2018

Bonn, Germany
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The 2018 GSSD Expo will be one of the last major opportunities for stakeholders to come up with evidence-based policy dialogues and knowledge discussions before the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) scheduled to take place in Buenos Aries March 2019. The theme of the 2018 GSSD Expo is “Showcasing Institutions Supporting South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Preparation for BAPA+40”.

UN Volunteer with UNICEF receives award from Government of Kazakhstan

Oleksandra Gaskevych, UN Volunteer Communications Officer
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Oleksandra Gaskevych(Ukraine) is a UN Volunteer Communications Specialist with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan. She recently received a prestigious award given to young leaders for their contribution to development from the Minister of Health of Kazakhstan, at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care.

For the last seven months, Oleksandra has been leading the communications team at the UNICEF Kazakhstan country office. This involves a lot of tasks, including implementation of the Communication and Advocacy Strategy, namely producing digital content and facilitation of all public events.

Why I chose to side with children

Faith Manyala, UN Volunteer Child Protection Officer with UNICEF
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Faith Manyala is serving as a national UN Volunteer Child Protection Officer with the Child Protection Section of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kenya. On Universal Children's Day, we share her reflections on her contribution to ensuring that every child in Kenya, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged children, as well as war-affected and displaced refugee children, live in dignity and have the right environment to pursue their dreams.

I am a lawyer by profession but I have chosen to be a diplomat and an advocate for the rights of children. My passion to be a UN Volunteer is a motivation since it enables me to contribute towards making a difference in people’s life and most importantly to me, children.

Protecting children in South Sudan

Evelyn Imalingat, UN Volunteer Child Protection Officer
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UN Volunteer Child Protection Officer Evelyn Imalingat serves with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. In this article, she reflects on her role to monitor, verify and report on grave violations committed against children.

When I arrived in South Sudan in August 2017, I knew very little about the country, its people and culture. But I came with an open mind and absolute willingness to learn from the experience as I began my new role as a Child Protection Officer serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in the Western Equatoria region.

Who aids the aid workers? Meet a UN Volunteer Medical Doctor in Somalia

Jainarayan Singh, UN Volunteer Health Manager ad interim, Somalia
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We often share stories of the impact of UN Volunteers working with our partners to help those in need. Have you ever wondered who aids the aid workers? In Somalia, UN Volunteer Dr Jainarayan Singh (India) is responsible for managing medical care for 5,000 United Nations staff and their families.

Jainarayan Singh is a 31-year old Medical Doctor from India, currently on a two-year UN Volunteer assignment with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia. In his role as Health Manager ad interim and Medical Doctor, Dr. Singh is responsible for overseeing medical care and health support for the 1,050 UN staff (and 4,000 dependents) in-country, ensuring that humanitarian workers and other staff are fit and able to continue delivering essential services.

Building community capacity by mobilizing national youth volunteers

Strengthening NYKS and NYSS in India
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Youth volunteers mobilized through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in India address the developmental gaps highlighted under the country's National Youth Policy. Deployed in all states of the country, the 29 national UN Volunteer District Youth Coordinators are facilitating greater youth participation and voice in sustainable development programmes.

The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and the National Service Scheme (NSS) are among the world’s largest youth volunteering schemes. They aim to help young people to reach their full social, economic and human potential, while instilling a strong sense of civic engagement facilitating greater youth participation in achieving sustainable development goals collaborated with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

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