UNV: What do you see as the intrinsic values volunteerism can bring to the human development agenda? Selim Jahan: Firstly, volunteerism is undoubtedly helping the human development agenda. Volunteers are working in areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, improving living conditions and, in a nutshell, providing people with all kinds of support. Volunteerism enhances human development, everywhere.

As one of the thirteen women who served as engineers in the demolition and debris management operations of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Anima supported the earthquake-affected areas by using her skills in a traditionally male-dominated field. “Engineering is for boys while girls are supposed to study management and work in banks,” she recalls her uncle as saying when she was still a student asking for career advice years ago.

A young man walks down a crowded street. To the left of him is a gang offering him quick cash to join them. To the right is a group of young volunteers, cleaning up the nearby river, handing him a leaflet that says, “volunteer to make a difference”. Which way does the young man turn? To the left for quick cash, or to the right where his potential lies?

Today’s dialogue expands the current collaboration – specifically in support of peacebuilding and climate action, two key priority areas for Korea.

Toney talks about the situation, “Open defecation poses a serious threat to the health of children in India, with 188,000 children under the age of five dying of diarrhea in the country. I took the risk and without any financial support for advance planning, took on the challenge of mass mobilizing community youth volunteers.” One of the hardest areas to reach is Variyam, a small tribal village nestled in thick forests.

Sangita talks about her volunteer assignment. “Through the project I manage, 12 community youth volunteers implement activities and campaigns to create awareness about women self-help groups, financial literacy and youth participation in government schemes, organize blood donations and health camps.”

Blanca is a Spanish UN Youth Volunteer; assigned in a UN Joint Programme led by UNDP in Guatemala, empowering isolated communities in San Marcos. Blanca de la Cruz (española), Joven Voluntaria ONU internacional, presta servicio en un Programa Conjunto del PNUD en Guatemala que trabaja para empoderar a comunidades remotas de San Marcos.

This year, the theme of the International Day of Peace is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.” The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is the newly adopted plan of action for all countries that seeks to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all through a collaborative partnership.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: When I was doing my degree, I volunteered with a number of local NGOs and associations whose main activities focused on women and youth, as that is where I thought I could make a contribution and bring about change.

Lilongwe, Malawi:  “When I set out from Uganda in 2013 to take up my UNV assignment in Malawi as a Joint Procurement Coordinator, my family and I wondered what I could offer.  I did bring 17 years of national and international experience in procurement and supply chain management.  But when I learnt more about the nature of my assignment, relating to the ‘Delivering as One’ (DaO) reforms, I realized the role was the first of its kind.