The Report sets out how United Nations peace operations, when designed and conducted in more people-focused and targeted ways, can contribute to this global effort. The Report provides a balanced and prioritized set of reforms to address the most urgent challenges facing peace operations today, while offering a basis for more long-term transformation. With smart and targeted investments in critical areas, substantial improvements can be achieved.

New York, USA: "Opening opportunities for volunteerism is increasingly seen as a means to promoting social integration," says the United Nations Commission on Social Development in its latest Chairperson's summary. "Volunteerism has contributed to developing social capital for social groups, including those that have traditionally found themselves marginalized from mainstream participation in development activities."

The Commission for Social Development encourages governments to take into consideration volunteerism in their national development planning recognizing contribution of volunteerism to the achievements of social development goals...

The Economic and Social Council requests the Administrator to pursue his consultations with delegations and to submit to the General Assembly recommendations regarding the renaming of the title of the post of Co-ordinator of the United Nations Volunteers so as to reflect more appropriately the responsibilities and functions of the post.

The Economic and Social Council recommends that the General Assembly approve the recommendation of the Secretary - General that the United Nations Volunteers programme be designated as the principal operational unit of the United Nations for the execution of youth programmes...

The Economic and Social Council acknowledges the role in the achievement of national and international development goals that has been entrusted to the United Nations Volunteers programme, and the potential of that programme for the advancement of youth's role in development...

As of 31 December 1973, a total of approximately 170 United Nations volunteers, representing 32 different nationalities, were carrying out their duties in 29 developing countries. Several other volunteers who were the first to be recruited during 1971 completed their initial two-year assignements. Of the 70 Volunteers in the field, roughly 36 per cent came from 14 different developing countires. At the same time, recruitement was in progress fro a further 226 posts.

The Administrator, together with the specialized agencies, has drawn on the initial experience of operating the volunteer programme and is formulating programming guidelines to assist those responsible. These guidelines highlight the need for planning and proper identification of projects and the required volunteer in-puts with due consideration to the specific nature of voluntary service. 

The Report reflects the early experience gained in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 2659 (XXV), and in particular the more salient questions concerning the operational, financial, and recruitment aspects of the programme.

The Economic and Social Council welcomes the appointment of the Co-ordinator for the United Nations Volunteer programme.