CIVICUS launches State of Civil Society Report 2014 with UNV contribution

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CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society leaders which advocates for citizen participation, recentlly launched its State of Civil Society Report 2014: Reimagining Global Governance. A UNV paper on Volunteerism, civic engagement and the post-2015 agenda was among more than 30 contributions to the report from the world’s leading experts on civil society as well as inputs from CIVICUS members, partners, supporters and others in the global CIVICUS alliance.

On 2 June 2014, CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society leaders which advocates for citizen participation, launched its State of Civil Society Report 2014: Reimagining Global Governance.  The paper by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme on Volunteerism, civic engagement and the post-2015 agenda was among more than 30 contributions to the report from the world’s leading experts on civil society as we

Human Resource Development Programme 2013/14 Report: Volunteering for Peace

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The Hiroshima Peacebuilders Centre and the United Nations Volunteers programme have joined forces to take volunteering to a global level by building a human resource base for the region that can promote volunteerism at home and abroad, while at the same time equipping young professionals for richer careers and leadership positions in a more interconnected world. This is the Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding Programme.

Volunteerism is one of the most basic expressions of solidarity and societal cohesion, often arising out of long-established traditions of sharing and reciprocal
exchanges. When the values of volunteerism are structurally integrated into global efforts to eradicate poverty and sustain development and peace, volunteerism becomes a powerful means of engaging people in these challenges. Volunteerism helps transform the pace and nature of development and consolidates
peacebuilding.

Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster

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Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster is a joint UN Programme of five UN Agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNV) and local authorities of Uzbekistan to improve the welfare of the most vulnerable groups due to Aral Sea ecological crisis in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan within Uzbekistan. The health component of the UN Joint Program targets at enhancing the capacity of primary health care workers to meet the health consequences of the Aral Sea environmental disaster with a specific focus on addressing the needs of women and the youth. UN Joint Programme is implemented by UN Uzbekistan. The project is funded by United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security.

Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster is a joint UN Programme of five UN Agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNV) and local authorities of Uzbekistan to improve the welfare of the most vulnerable groups due to Aral Sea ecological crisis in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan within Uzbekistan. The health component of the UN Joint Program targets at enhancing the capacity of primary health care workers to meet the health consequences of the Aral Sea environmental disaster with a specific focus on addressing the needs of women and the youth.

Sustainable Development Goals: Information and guidance for volunteer organizations

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10 Questions and answers explain the new Sustainable Development agenda, the role of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and potential activities for volunteers.

10 Questions & Answers explain the new Sustainable Development agenda, the role of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and potential activities for volunteers.

This Q&A is part of a UNV toolkit on how volunteerism can contribute to achieve the SDGs that is designed to support substantive contributions to planning and programming at national level. The toolkit includes selected policy and knowledge documents, communications materials and links.

An opportunity to improve human rights

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As a UNV Associate Human Rights Officer, one of my main activities is to observe the situation of human rights in the country, and to ensure follow-up action of cases, especially in the areas of justice administration, violence against women, the use of excessive force by security forces, arbitrary detention, the rights of victims during unconstitutional regimes, freedom of expression and human rights defenders. This experience has been very enriching because I feel that I really contribute to making a difference in people’s lives. My motivation comes from the idea that each step counts, and that even if something is improved in a small way, it can really have an impact.

La Paz, Bolivia:  When I heard about the opportunity to come to Bolivia as a UN Volunteer with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), I was very excited to be able to take on new challenges in my professional and personal life. With a Master’s Degree in International Studies, specializing in Human Rights, and experience in Latin America, I felt that this volunteer opportunity was ideal for me.

Youth unemployment: the foresight experience in Kosovo

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From my very first day working as a UN Youth Volunteer as part of UNDP’s Inclusive Growth Team in Kosovo, I started to realize that all the statistics showing high levels of unemployment, particularly among youth, are hiding the true and disturbing extent of this issue. With more than 35 percent of young Kosovars neither having a job nor going to school, they grow impatient, pessimistic about their chances to have a decent life, and frustrated with not being heard.

Prishtina, Kosovo:  From my very first day working as a UN Youth Volunteer as part of UNDP’s Inclusive Growth Team in Kosovo, I started to realize that all the statistics showing high levels of unemployment, particularly among youth, are hiding the true and disturbing extent of this issue. With more than 35 percent of young Kosovars neither having a job nor going to school, they grow impatient, pessimistic about their chances to have a decent life, and frustrated with not being heard.

Volunteers vital to success of new global development agenda, UN report says

New York, USA
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Volunteers are playing a vital role in making governments worldwide more accountable and responsive to their citizens, but their potential is seriously under-valued, a new report from the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme said today.

The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2015 is the first global survey of the contribution of volunteers to better governance, a prerequisite for the success of the new Sustainable Development Goals to be agreed at the United Nations in September.

2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report: Universal Values for Global Well-being

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By suggesting how volunteerism can be taken forward, the 2011 State of the World's Volunteerism Report provides an alternative vision of a better society.

The first State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR) by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was launched at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on 5 December 2011 and about 80 countries around the world.

The SWVR promotes a better understanding of volunteerism. It demonstrates the universality, scope and reach of volunteerism along with new trends in the twenty-first century. The report examines important contributions in diverse fields such as sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion, social cohesion and disaster risk reduction.

2015 State of the World's Volunteerism Report (SWVR) - Transforming Governance

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The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2015 is the first global review of the power of volunteer voices to help improve the way people are governed.

Drawing on evidence from countries as diverse as Brazil, Kenya, Lebanon and Bangladesh, the UN report shows how ordinary people are volunteering their time, energies and skills to improve the way they are governed and engaged at local, national and global levels.

Better governance at every level is a pre-requisite for the success of the new set of targets for future international development, the Sustainable Development Goals, which are due to be agreed at the United Nations in September 2015.

UNGA Resolution 40/212: Adoption of 5 December as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD)

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On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the UN General Assembly adopted this resolution (A/RES/40/212) on 17 December 1985, establishing 5 December as International Volunteer Day.

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