Switzerland is one of the key partners of the United Nations Volunteers programme, and one of its top donors.  Since 2001, UNV and Switzerland have focusing through their partnership on the placement of

UNV partners at governmental and non-governmental level with the Republic of Korea to advance peace and development. UNV promotes university-level volunteering in partnership with leading universities in Europe, and the successful Online Volunteering service that opens up possibilities for young people to volunteer off-site through the internet. This publication highlights the long-standing partnership between UNV and the Republic of Korea, the contribution of Korean UN Volunteers, as well as some key data.

The UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017 focuses on UNV programmatic effort in the key area of national capacity development through volunteer schemes. UN Volunteers facilitate efforts between governments, civil society, the private sector and partner United Nations entities. Fostering strong partnerships, generating complementary skills, resources and expertise, UN Volunteers increase the development impact and add to sustainability.

Through its UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017, UNV supports efforts to advance innovation and knowledge by focusing on building a credible body of knowledge informed by research, innovation and evidence in order to advocate and enhance the integration of volunteerism into peace and development programming. UN Volunteers support partnerships especially in terms of engagement with civil society at all levels, creativity in addressing local challenges and facilitate innovative forms of volunteering to increase the depth and breadth of civic engagement.

Whether assisting with the protection, registration or resettlement of displaced people, or helping in the daily management of refugee camps, or providing livelihood training, tools and opportunities for the refugee community - for over three decades, UN Volunteers from around the world have provided critical support in safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees, stateless people, returnees and internally displaced persons.

Peace building relies on the concept of voluntary action and active civic engagement. UN Volunteers can be the ideal interlocutor to deliver constructive messages about participatory processes, build trust and promote dialogue.

In addition, many often perceive UN Volunteers as politically and socially impartial and non-threatening, making them effective actors among different stakeholders in the peace building processes, especially as they come from the communities that the UN supports.

UNV supports initiatives involving community-based organizations and local volunteerism that can play a decisive role in improving the lives of the poor, while simultaneously benefiting the environment.

Achieving the goal of environmental sustainability requires the ingenuity, solidarity, and creativity of many millions of ordinary people, particularly through volunteering.

The contribution of volunteerism in response to the HIV epidemic has been critical in reaching out to vulnerable groups, strengthening community support around people living with HIV and in capacity building and advocacy efforts.

As most primary health care takes place at the community and household levels, a valuable example of volunteer activity has been the development of community-based grass-roots organizations of volunteers involved in caring for People Living with HIV and in educating the public about HIV prevention.

In disaster response, the role and contribution of volunteerism is well recognized. In fact, when a disaster happens, volunteers are normally the first to act.

The impact of volunteers in times of crisis can be tremendous; as the extent of damage – in terms of economic and human loss – is greatly influenced by the initial response.

UNV has significant experience in disaster prevention and risk reduction.