In a world where robots are learning faster than humans, I choose UNV

Fatma Aksoy, UNV Operations Associate
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That choice is not accidental. It reflects the vision set out in the new UNV Strategic Framework 2026–2029, which places volunteerism as a people-centered force at the heart of the United Nations’ future. The framework affirms something I see every day in my work: sustainable development, peace, and human rights are advanced not by systems alone, but by empowered people working with and for their communities. I am an Operations Associate for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) in the Europe and Central Asia region and based in Istanbul. 

I work at the intersection of systems, people, and uncertainty. In a nutshell, that means working behind the scenes to support the recruitment of UN Volunteers across more than 30 countries, including in emergency contexts such as Ukraine. 

I see firsthand how automation is reshaping the way we work and how quietly many of us wonder: What will my role be when machines can do what humans once did?

Introducing the UNV Strategic Framework 2026–2029

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This framework arrives at exactly the right time. The year 2026 has been declared the International Volunteer Year, a rare global spotlight on volunteerism. The strategy also spans the final stretch toward 2030—a period defined by the need to turn commitments into measurable results. UN Volunteers are uniquely placed to scale what works and help bridge what remains unfinished.

Why the hardest duty stations are worth it—a UN Volunteer's story

United Nations Volunteers
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"When I received my offer to serve as a UN Volunteer in MINUSCA, the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, I was truly terrified," says Natalia Peshkova from the Russian Federation. "Of course, I Googled the country before, but suddenly those images of uncertainty, hardship, and the struggle for peace were no longer headlines; they were about to become my reality. Let me tell you, Google is not your best friend when you are preparing to be deployed to one of the most challenging duty stations in the world." 

Natalia had to prepare not only her suitcase but her mindset. This wasn’t just a job, it was a commitment to serve in a place where peace is fragile and every action matters. She continues, "Fear slowly gave way to determination as I reminded myself why I chose this path—to make a difference where it’s needed most. What awaited me was not comfort, but purpose. 

The unequal digital dawn: Who gets left behind?

United Nations Volunteers
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Imagine a world without digital. No smartphones, no laptops, no Zoom, no internet—just silence between continents and communities. Now picture the moment digital arrives and accelerates at lightning speed. But pause and ask: Does every country share the same resources? Can everyone benefit equally from this revolution? Is every voice included? You already know the answer—digital progress is not universal. And that’s where the real story begins. Let’s hear from Arita Arania Phillip, a UN Volunteer from Antigua and Barbuda.

“The first of January 1983 is the internet’s birthday. At that time, Antigua and Barbuda, where I call home, had only been independent for a little over a year. Many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), due to our small country size, population, and our separation by water, struggled to develop economically and therefore transform digitally. On the other hand, countries with economies of scale, developed infrastructure and high capital were able to transform at a rapid pace and at a lower cost.

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