Simuka Africa Youth Association was established in 2006 in response to the growing number of challenges that were affecting young people in Zimbabwe. It was during the time when the country was in the midst of political and socioeconomic turmoil, characterised by high youth unemployment, a high HIV and AIDS prevalence rate of 20.1 per cent among those aged 15-49, a historic hyperinflation, declining health educational services among other social and economic ills.
And the winner is: Simuka Africa Youth Association, Zimbabwe
Volunteering in the Democratic Republic of Congo with UNICEF and MONUSCO
Humanitarian needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have doubled over the last year and 13 million people require humanitarian assistance throughout the country today. The number of people displaced has doubled to 4.5 million people, including 2.7 million children. International responders have scaled up response, but much more must be done and donor support is urgently needed. Today, as the Humanitarian Conference on the situation in the DRC convenes in Geneva, we highlight a sampling of UN Volunteers contributing to the work of our valued UN partners. #InvestinHumanity #DRC
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the most malnourished countries on earth, with over 4.6m children acutely malnourished, including 2.2m children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The country is also facing an epidemic of sexual violence. Spiraling humanitarian needs and the rapid escalation in grave protection violations against women and children in the DRC should be of concern to everyone.
Youth volunteerism helps climate action go further, stronger, together
United Nations Youth Volunteer Victoria de Mello from Salvador, Brazil briefly explains how her personal experience convinced her about the power of youth volunteerism for climate action.
Coming from a place where inequality and urban violence are the rule, my beautiful city is also under immense environmental pressure from climate change and deforestation. As part of the few with access to higher education in Salvador, having the opportunity to earn a Law degree and volunteer for climate justice projects in University helped to make me a potential solution to the challenges facing my community.
Supporting Nepali youth as they take sexual and reproductive health rights into their own hands
UNV is partnering with UNAIDS in Nepal on stopping new HIV infections and ensuring that people have access to information. UN Volunteers are supporting Nepali youth as they take sexual and reproductive health and rights into their own hands. Driving a youth-led social media initiative, ‘Live2Luv in Nepal’ is giving young people a platform to voice their concerns, experiences and opinions, ask questions and challenge taboos about sexual and reproductive health.
Some 103 UN Volunteers served with UNAIDS in 38 countries over the past 10 years. Supporting the mandate of UNAIDS, they have been working towards stopping new HIV infections, ensuring that everyone living with HIV has access to treatment, protecting and promoting human rights and producing data for decision-making.
UN Volunteers ensure healthy lives and wellbeing in East and Southern Africa
In East and Southern Africa, the achievement of SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing, is particularly crucial. According to WHO, Sub-Saharan Africa “confronts the world’s most dramatic public health crisis”. Mortality among children under 5 years of age remains high, with a rate of 84 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015. The incidence of HIV infection is still highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with 1.5 new infections per 1,000 uninfected people in 2015. In 2016, sub-Saharan Africa was home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 91 per cent of malaria deaths.
In East and Southern Africa, the achievement of SDG 3 is particularly crucial. According to WHO, Sub-Saharan Africa “confronts the world’s most dramatic public health crisis”. Mortality among children under 5 years of age remains high, with a rate of 84 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015. The incidence of HIV infection is still highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with 1.5 new infections per 1,000 uninfected people in 2015. In 2016, sub-Saharan Africa was home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 91 per cent of malaria deaths.
World Social Work Day 2018: Social Work and Youth—Towards Inclusive Sustainable Development
Without the active participation and inclusion of youth, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be achieved. Young people constitute over 1.8 billion persons around the world. Already one in five people volunteer their time and efforts to organisations to contribute to sustainable development.
World Social Work Day 2018: Social Work and Youth—Towards Inclusive Sustainable Development
Without the active participation and inclusion of youth, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be achieved. Young people constitute over 1.8 billion persons around the world. Already one in five people volunteer their time and efforts to organisations to contribute to sustainable development.
UNV and UNDP engaging young talent with disabilities for the SDGs
With a commitment to diversity, inclusion and leaving no one behind, UNDP and UNV are implementing a Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities to increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities into the workforce of the development sector. The programme also aims to build a talent pipeline of highly qualified professionals with disabilities who can contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national and global levels.
The UNDP-UNV Talent Programme will offer young people with disabilities the opportunity to acquire practical work experience and exposure to the work of the UN Development System through assignments with country, regional or headquarters offices of UNDP and other UN entities. UNDP-UNV will identify relevant assignments and select applicants. Programme participants and host offices will benefit from dedicated support, guidance and professional development opportunities as part of the programme.
Take Five: "Thousands of people leave their homes, families and, often, countries in order to help humanity as UN Volunteers"
How do you see the partnership between UN Women and UN Volunteers and why is this important?
Take Five: "Thousands of people leave their homes, families and, often, countries in order to help humanity as UN Volunteers"
How do you see the partnership between UN Women and UN Volunteers and why is this important?