For International Volunteer Day (IVD), the Regional Office of East and Southern Africa of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is organizing a volunteer festival. The festival is co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya and the UNV Regional Office. At the event, we will launch the Volunteer Awards. When: 5 December 2019, 10:00-17:00, Nairobi Railway Club

For International Volunteer Day (IVD), the Regional Office of East and Southern Africa of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is organizing a volunteer festival. The festival is co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya and the UNV Regional Office. At the event, we will launch the Volunteer Awards. When: 5 December 2019, 10:00-17:00, Nairobi Railway Club

International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2019 highlights volunteers contributing to inclusion, and Sustainable Development Goal 10, reducing inequality within and among countries.  At the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme, we are marking #IVD2019 with the theme "Volunteer for an inclusive future", highlighting SDG 10 and the pursuit of equality – including inclusion – through volunteerism. #volunteer4inclusion

International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2019 highlights volunteers contributing to inclusion, and Sustainable Development Goal 10, reducing inequality within and among countries.  At the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme, we are marking #IVD2019 with the theme "Volunteer for an inclusive future", highlighting SDG 10 and the pursuit of equality – including inclusion – through volunteerism. #volunteer4inclusion

Every day, an estimated one billion volunteers make a difference to the people and communities where they live and work. They create social bonds and give a voice to marginalized and vulnerable groups. They are often the first to act in moments of crisis. They dedicate their time, skills and passion to make the world a better place.

To mark the theme of International Volunteer Day 2019, Volunteer for an inclusive future, volunteers from Senegal is organizing a sensitization day on gender-based violence with sixty high school students in Guédiawaye. We will showcase a film produced for IVD and engage in discussion with volunteers and partners, including UN Women, the Association des Femmes Juristes and the African Leaders Factory Initiative. When: 4 December 2019, Guédiawaye, Senegal  

To mark the theme of International Volunteer Day 2019, Volunteer for an inclusive future, volunteers from Senegal is organizing a sensitization day on gender-based violence with sixty high school students in Guédiawaye. We will showcase a film produced for IVD and engage in discussion with volunteers and partners, including UN Women, the Association des Femmes Juristes and the African Leaders Factory Initiative. When: 4 December 2019, Guédiawaye, Senegal  

Olga acquired her physical-motor disability at the age of 13 due to muscular dystrophy, and since then, her wheelchair has become her ally. She has had to face social, attitudinal, architectural, and transport barriers that at certain times have hindered her full development and participation in social activities. All these challenges make her think that disability is not so much in the person but in the obstacles interfering with its independence and ability to function in society.

The UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities was launched in January 2018. With a commitment to leave no one behind, it promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce of the United Nations.  In 2019, 31 UN Volunteers with disabilities, including 15 deployed under the Talent Programme, served across the UN family. Many more UN Volunteers supported the provision of services to persons with disabilities.

As a UN Volunteer Disability Rights Officer with the Governance and Participation Unit of UNDP, I champion the rights of people with disabilities and act as a passionate voice for their support and inclusion.