Former UNV Executive Coordinator (2012-16) Richard Dictus argues that volunteers are an essential part of the global partnerships that will bring solutions to global sustainability. To save the planet and humanity, volunteers need to gain visibility as the heroes of a new age, providing especially young people with new role models. UN Volunteers themselves are such heroes and UNV is a truly global organization that plays a key role in achieving the SDGs. Visibility and recognition are the key to future success for volunteerism at the global level.