UN Volunteers in BeijingAt China’s International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), Jialin is a young Chinese UN Volunteer Project Analyst with UNOSSC. She organizes trainings, reviews grant proposals, and drafts policy briefs that drive sustainable development in agriculture, clean energy, and poverty reduction. 

Christian works hand in hand with local institutions to rebuild trust and empower communities. He collaborates with police and justice officials, providing training to combat organized crime, corruption, and money laundering. In remote border areas, he helps install solar-powered systems so police posts can stay connected and equipped. These efforts are part of a broader peacebuilding initiative aimed at building trust in public institutions and making communities feel safer.

The initiative focuses on protecting forests—vital for wildlife, climate, and the communities that depend on them. It also supports the government’s ongoing efforts, launched in 2022, to strengthen forest management across Gabon. Working in 17 rural communities, these UN Volunteers gather local knowledge, lead discussions, and share practical tips on how to protect the environment.

Yeran Kejijian knows what it means to be displaced. Her grandparents were refugees in Lebanon, and their stories shaped her path. Now, as the United Nations Volunteers Country Coordinator for Lebanon and Syria, Yeran helps Syrians return home after years of exile. For her, rebuilding communities isn’t just about logistics—it’s about restoring dignity. 

Humanity in action

In the MENA region, climate change is intensifying existing hardships—shrinking food and water supplies and deepening instability for communities already displaced by conflict. Enter Jahidul Islam: a Bangladeshi climate and disability inclusion expert who brings both technical insight and lived experience. He is a wheelchair user who has faced structural barriers firsthand.

Then came a pivotal moment. The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Information and Technology Management team visited UNV headquarters in Bonn and offered a candid assessment: our systems were due for a significant upgrade. UNV responded with determination. It was an opportunity to review our systems and think of solutions.We didn't just patch up things. We rethought everything.Physical servers? Slashed from 7 to 2.Virtual machines? Down from 47 to 9.Legacy systems that translated web addresses? Gone. Replaced by Cloud-based platforms.

Technology is accelerating this shift. From digital literacy and coding to the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), young people are gaining the tools to drive change. Over 70 percent of secondary students now use AI in their academic work, with many relying on tools like ChatGPT to learn, create, and lead. As AI continues to evolve, volunteers are using it to analyze data faster and boost the impact of their social initiatives. 

The focus? Supercharging delivery, utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and aligning on key initiatives—especially the business process streamlining project. But beyond the tech, the gathering was a celebration of what really powers development: people. From seasoned engineers to rising talent, participants shared one mission. Build better, smarter, and more human-centered UVP solutions. Whether onsite or remote, everyone brought their voice to the table, proving that great code starts with great communication and leads to stronger technical outcomes.

In 1968, the Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, made a visionary call for the establishment of a formal United Nations Volunteers programme. During an honorary speech at Harvard University, he emphasized the need for an international legion dedicated to combating the true enemies of humanity: poverty, hunger, and social injustice. His words resonated deeply, planting the seeds for a global volunteer movement.