Volunteer solutions for poverty reduction and economic empowerment of women and youth

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
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Many low-income countries lack proper social protection laws, which despite overall economic growth, results in a vicious circle of poverty, where basic human needs remain unmet. Volunteers are well-placed to support poverty reduction strategies and create pathways to economic empowerment of women and youth.

On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the UN pays homage to the victims of hunger and social exclusion to encourage multilateral partnerships that are based on solid, compassionate responses to their struggles. Poverty has numerous repercussions: hunger and food insecurity, increased crime and child mortality rates, political instability, corruption and dysfunctional governance. We are seeing now that poverty is a prime driver of violent extremism, breeding and intensifying conflicts worldwide.

In support of Youth Volunteerism: UN Volunteers from 32 countries participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students

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In support of Youth Volunteerism: UN Volunteers from 32 countries participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students

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2nd International Conference on Youth Volunteering and Dialogue: Preventing Violent Extremism and Strengthening Social Inclusion

Paris, France
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This conference, the second of its series, highlighted the power of youth volunteering to address violent extremism and promote social inclusion. The conference offered a platform for youth volunteers to connect with and influence the broader global agenda on peace and development and foster greater international collaboration among youth volunteers.

UN Volunteers in Niger support counter-terrorism legal process

UNODC
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With the assistance of specialised UN Volunteers, Niger has processed 230 cases involving terrorism suspects, including 11 women and 25 children, in 60 days. This is the result of concerted action of the Nigerien judicial authorities supported by United Nations volunteers and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The majority of these suspects had been held in pre-trial detention since 2015, when the terrorist attacks committed by Boko Haram ravaged the Diffa region, in the east of the country, by the border with Nigeria "I have seen how the work of a volunteer brings a glimmer of hope in the eyes of prisoners," says Ali*, UN Volunteer for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Niger.

Making a difference while learning

Lisa Zielinski
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I have been volunteering since September 2016 as a UN Online Volunteer Editor for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Monrovia, Liberia. My work consists of editing and proofreading communications, advocacy, and promotional materials. My experience, alongside my education, made me want to put my strengths at use in a meaningful way to help the UN achieve its objectives of peace and development.

Having had the opportunity this past year to live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I saw first-hand the positive influence of the UN; and this influence greatly resonated with me. Now, I welcome the opportunity to be actively involved in helping this global organization achieve its goals. 

Translation ensures we leave no one behind

Localisation of the SDGs
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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The scope covered by the 17 goals is unprecedented in history and carries an important vision for the positive transformation of life on the planet. It pledges to leave no one behind. To succeed, this massive development agenda will require that people everywhere understand and take ownership of the goals—translation and localisation of the agenda is essential.

In May this year, the UN General Assembly officially declared 30 September, International Translation Day.

UN Volunteers help secure peaceful elections in Kenya

Kenya
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This year, 16 UN Volunteers were deployed across Kenya to prevent electoral violence and promote peace during the general elections held in August, helping strengthen national capacities for conflict prevention.

UN Volunteer Castro Baraza sits in his office at the Kisumu County Headquarters finalizing reports of his pre-election peace building activities. It is three weeks since the presidential results were announced, and Kisumu remains peaceful with business fully operational and the new County administration already taking charge. Castro is however still hard at work, ensuring the peace dividends are maintained and the development agenda in the region is realized.

As tide turns, volunteers offer hope to Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia
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According to UN sources, more than five million Somalis—representing nearly half of the population—need immediate humanitarian assistance. Nearly one in five across the country were forced to abandon their home, with half of them seeking refuge abroad. With failing crops for a third consecutive year, these numbers could continue to climb. To many abroad, there is little apparent hope in the foreseeable future for the Horn of Africa. The scene in Mogadishu however suggests a shift is happening.

Volunteering for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) in November 2017, Germany – Registration is closed

Bonn, Germany
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Interested in helping to save the planet?  United Nations Volunteers (UNV), in collaboration with the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC), is accepting applications for volunteers to play a key role in the organisation and facilitation of the 2017 UN Climate Change Conference, COP 23, which will take place 6-17 November in Bonn, Germany.

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