Seven Kazakh candidates have successfully taken up their assignments as UN Volunteers specialists in Jordan, Thailand, Turkey and Kenya, and UN Youth UN Volunteers in Turkey and Thailand. The volunteers are fully funded by the Government of Kazakhstan, and will serve for 12 months.
By joining UN entities, the UN Volunteers will be able to improve and apply their skills, knowledge and potential in the field of sustainable development. Three of them have already arrived in their duty stations, the rest have started their assignments remotely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With support of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a new generation of UN Volunteers has already started their service in the UN system around the world. Talented youth of Kazakhstan will be responsible for innovative approaches and solutions, as well as effective response to crisis situations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. They will also strengthen Kazakhstan's international ties, bring new ideas, and support international volunteering for peace and development. --Rimma Sabaeva, UNV Regional Manager for Europe and the CIS
Volunteering in Kazakhstan has deep roots. Kazakhstan, in partnership with the UN and within the framework of key tasks at the global, regional and national levels, has always supported dynamic and motivated volunteering [...] In confirmation of this cooperation, in 2019 the Government of Kazakhstan signed a partnership agreement with the UNV Programme to fund international professionals and youth volunteers in 2020. --Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations (as of September, 4th 2020), at the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), 2020
UNV recruits volunteers from Kazakhstan under a fully funded programme supported by the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The criteria for participation are: age (from 25 years old for the position of the Specialist UN Volunteer and from 18 to 29 years old for the position of the Youth UN Volunteer), as well as the Kazakh citizenship. The main criterion is compliance with the specific requirements of the description of assignment, as well as knowledge of the system, and respect to the values and principles of the UN.
The UN Volunteers programme will help me to acquire unique experience and expand the network of professional contacts. Other advantages are cultural exchange in an international environment and the ability to travel. As a student, my friends and I used to organize the so-called "Model of UN", reproducing the work of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council. --Meruert Syzdykbekova, UN Volunteer Climate Change Specialist with UN Women's regional office in Europe and Central Asia, Turkey
I could never have even imagined that in the future I would have a real opportunity to join the UN. I believe that the experience gained within the framework of this programme will allow me to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) both in Kazakhstan and beyond. --Meruert Syzdykbekova, one of the seven UN Volunteers from Kazakhstan and Climate Change Specialist with UN Women in Turkey
About the fully funded programme
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and sustainable development through volunteering around the world. Through the UNV fully funded programme, funding partners, UN host organizations and UNV offer volunteers the opportunity to share knowledge and gain experience as part of the UN system in addressing sustainable development challenges around the world and achieving the SDGs.
The fully funded programme represents a win-win situation for UNV, funding partners and host countries. Through the programme, volunteers can directly contribute to sustainable development change at national and local levels. Thus, they acquire invaluable skills and unique opportunities for individual and professional growth, and often continue to move along the career path of cooperation in the field of development.