5 December, 2019
Today, on International Volunteer Day, we celebrate and recognise all volunteers worldwide who make a difference everyday in their communities. More than one billion people globally are estimated to volunteer, making contributions worth 2.4% of the global GDP.
In a remote area of South Sudan, Mary, an experienced midwife from Tanzania, delivers a baby as the first rays of sun stream into the United Nations clinic. Mary is a UN Volunteer dedicated to keeping mothers and newborns healthy. On the bustling streets of New York, Amari, a student in social justice from Iraq, urges an elderly man to seek shelter as the temperatures drop below zero. Amari volunteers ten hours a week, committed to the local hypothermia prevention program.
5 December, 2019
Today, on International Volunteer Day, we celebrate and recognise all volunteers worldwide who make a difference everyday in their communities. More than one billion people globally are estimated to volunteer, making contributions worth 2.4% of the global GDP.
Every day, an estimated one billion volunteers make a difference to the people and communities where they live and work. They create social bonds and give a voice to marginalized and vulnerable groups. They are often the first to act in moments of crisis. They dedicate their time, skills and passion to make the world a better place.
Every day, an estimated one billion volunteers make a difference to the people and communities where they live and work. They create social bonds and give a voice to marginalized and vulnerable groups. They are often the first to act in moments of crisis. They dedicate their time, skills and passion to make the world a better place.
"Sometimes, after hearing comments such as 'you are not able to', 'how are you going to do it?' and 'why?', I have felt less capable and have doubted what I can achieve," shares Olga Altman. "But I always had the dream to live an independent life, discover my potential and contribute to making society fairer and more inclusive for all communities in vulnerable situations." Olga serves as a UN Volunteer for Inclusion, Innovation and the 2030 Agenda with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Dominican Republic. She is one of 15 UN Volunteers serving through the UNDP/UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities. Her assignment is part of a project supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany.
Olga acquired her physical-motor disability at the age of 13 due to muscular dystrophy, and since then, her wheelchair has become her ally. She has had to face social, attitudinal, architectural, and transport barriers that at certain times have hindered her full development and participation in social activities. All these challenges make her think that disability is not so much in the person but in the obstacles interfering with its independence and ability to function in society.
The UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities was launched in January 2018. With a commitment to leave no one behind, it promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce of the United Nations.
In 2019, 31 UN Volunteers with disabilities, including 15 deployed under the Talent Programme, served across the UN family. Many more UN Volunteers supported the provision of services to persons with disabilities.
The UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities was launched in January 2018. With a commitment to leave no one behind, it promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce of the United Nations.
In 2019, 31 UN Volunteers with disabilities, including 15 deployed under the Talent Programme, served across the UN family. Many more UN Volunteers supported the provision of services to persons with disabilities.
Huong Dao Thu serves as a UN Volunteer Disability Rights Officer with the United Nations Development Programme in her home country, Viet Nam. Her assignment is part of a project supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany. Huong was deployed in May 2019 under a special partnership initiative of UNDP and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme: the Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities. This offered 15 youth opportunities to acquire experience and contribute to the United Nations as UN Volunteers during 2018-2019. Another 16 UN Volunteers and several online volunteers with disabilities served across the UN family. On the occasion of International Volunteer Day 2019, Huong shares her experience with us.
As a UN Volunteer Disability Rights Officer with the Governance and Participation Unit of UNDP, I champion the rights of people with disabilities and act as a passionate voice for their support and inclusion.
Omotola Akindipe, serving as a UN Volunteer Associate Reporting Officer for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Angola, takes time to speak with us about his volunteer assignment. On the occasion of International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2019, the theme being ‘Volunteer for an Inclusive Future’, Tola explains how volunteerism and inclusion go hand in hand.
What is a regular day as a UN Volunteer for you?
I work as part of the External Relations unit at UNHCR in Dundo, Angola. However, I cover more areas, and am in the field regularly. I oversee the general reporting in Dundo, and this includes thematic reports such as on shelter and mental health. I am also responsible for internal and external communications, particularly with partners and the government. I manage media relations and I am the focal point for interagency meetings.
In Thailand, UN Volunteers effectively advocate for the respect of human rights. Panitee Nuykram serves with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a national UN Youth Volunteer Media and Communications Officer in her home country, Thailand. On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, Panitee shares how she volunteers for an inclusive future.
Through my assignment with IOM, I help to increase the understanding of the positive contribution of migrants towards their communities and enhance their inclusion.
Migrants are a vulnerable group affected by multiple forms of discrimination and therefore deserve attention. I believe that migrants should be recognized as agents for development. If people had more positive attitudes towards migrants, this would help in preventing discriminatory treatment within society.