At the end of 1978, the total number of United Nations Volunteers serving in the field reached 406, the highest level reached since the inception of the programme in 1971. Also, the number of countries receiving volunteers increased considerably from 54 at the end of 1977 to 64 in December 1978. The year also marked the beginning of more active UNV co-operation with Domestic Development Service (DDS), and youth organisations in pursuance of the role assigned to UNV by the GA in its resolutions 31/131 and 31/166 of Dec 1976.
