My name is Kana Endo; I hail from Japan. I embarked on my volunteering assignment last September and I will serve until February 2023. I am one of the three international UN Volunteers serving with the United Nations in Mongolia, together with another national UN Volunteer. Looking back on my childhood, I enjoyed learning new things but at the same time was very shy and introverted. However, I was very passionate about learning English and cultures in different countries. Therefore, I chose a high school with English course.

Community radio plays an important role in communities across the world. Improving this vital means of communication – is what this story from Zimbabwe is all about. Sometimes it's tough to get started. It takes bravery to sit or stand in front of a microphone and broadcast. But that's exactly what a group of volunteers from the Auxeni community radio in Zimbabwe do, with the help of training from national broadcasters.

The Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH) has been a flagship initiative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Kazakhstan since 2013. Some 42 countries participate in this knowledge exchange platform. 

According to CEPAL (2015), 75 per cent of the afro-descendant population in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in national electoral processes. However, their representation in power and decision-making is not proportional.

The UNDP-UNV Graduate Initiative was launched in 2021 with financial support from the Government of Australia. Its aim? To support the Solomon Islands Electoral Office and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. 

Refugee UN Volunteers are integral and invaluable members of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) team in Slovakia. They mirror to UNHCR colleagues the day-to-day life, challenges and resilience of Ukrainian refugees. Tetiana Korshun and Olena Bilinska, UN Volunteer Protection Assistants with UNHCR in Slovakia,​​​ are based in Kosice and Bratislava, respectively. They support UNHCR in communicating with refugee communities.

 The war in Ukraine triggered a drastic increase in humanitarian needs, as services were disrupted, and civilians fled the fighting. The United Nations, non-governmental and refugee-led organizations, charitable funds and national volunteer centres have been working around the clock. However, the longer the war continues, the more extensive the aid, protection and health needs will become.

From 19-22 September, Ms Kyoko Yokosuka, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator, visited South Sudan to meet with partners and UN Volunteers serving in the country.

What are the key highlights of your assignment, and who do you interact with in your daily work?

My name is Wipanee Chamnanphaison, and I am a UN Volunteer from Thailand. Since February 2022, I have been serving as a Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). I am based in the Human Rights Division as part of the Capacity-building and International Mechanism unit.