Katinka Weinberger, Chief of the Environment and Development Policy Section, Environment and Development Division at ESCAP, delivered the opening remarks. By learning about the interconnected nature of the SDGs and using a systems thinking approach, we hope that you will be better equipped to support the integration of volunteerism in policies and programmes that place people at the center, to ensure that no one is left behind. --Katinka Weinberger, Chief of the Environment and Development Policy Section, ESCAP

Bonn, Germany – This week, a partnership agreement was signed between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The commitment to a strengthened partnership between UNV and the Republic of Kazakhstan extends to supporting UN Volunteer assignments for Kazakhstani nationals to serve within the United Nations system. "We highly appreciate the partnership with the Republic of Kazakhstan and the commitment to continue to promote volunteerism within the country and globally," states Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV.

To highlight the importance of fighting inequality, and at the same time having some fun - this year’s IVD social media challenge, the EQUALIZER, asks everyone to get involved. By posting your photos, videos and audio content you promote equality through volunteerism and show how you can become more equitable (even for just a photo). What is the equalizer? It is a social media campaign promoting equality through volunteerism that includes a diversity challenge. How can you do it?

International Volunteer Day (IVD), 5 December, is an opportunity for us all to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels. 

International Volunteer Day (IVD), 5 December, is an opportunity for us all to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels. 

Over the past several years, there has been a tremendous amount of energy building around social responsibility, prosocial I-O, and supporting humanitarian causes around the world within the field of I-O psychology.

The main goal of the partnership is to enhance the capacity and engagement of youth from the region as key actors of change in global development issues. Selected number of Mount Kenya University students will be deployed annually- for up to six months in various UN agencies in Kenya as UN University Volunteers to apply their knowledge and skills in several areas of UN peace and development work. On 28th March 2019, the Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, Mr.

Why volunteering and inequality?

During the signing ceremony, Mr Adam and Ms Fore highlighted the importance of working closer together to reach the full potential of the partnership. The agreement facilitates the deployment of UN Volunteers to support UNICEF in delivering on its mission to protect children, reduce child mortality, support quality education, provide life-saving emergency support and empower women and girls.

There are one billion people who are estimated to actively volunteer worldwide. The 2015 Human Development Report (HDR) highlights that, volunteering creates social value and fosters innovation where markets and organizations were unable to make a direct contributions to peace and development in areas such as education, health, water and sanitation.