"Sometimes just the simple act of listening to a person, listening to their case, is a light of hope [for them]," says Karen Uzcategui Mojica, a UN Volunteer since July 2019. Karen's dedication to the refugee community was evident throughout the interview for this article, as she explained the intricacies of her work.  As a UN Volunteer assigned to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Karen serves refugees, asylum seekers, persons in need of international protection, returnees, internally displaced persons and persons at risk of statelessness.

Oscar has 5 years of experience within UNV and was part of the team in charge of handling the mobilization of large number of citizens for this major event. Together with Ivonne Harvey, also a UN Expert Volunteer, and other committed public servants from the BSP team, he puts its knowledge and expertise at the service of the Peruvian citizens without any hesitation. Ivonne, who has a Ph.D. in Education, had the mission of facilitating learning materials to the new volunteers, as well as ensuring they had the right level of training.

Two weeks ago, Peruvians - with the exception of some heroes - were called to stay at home to prevent COVID-19 from spreading and reaching the most vulnerable populations. However, confinement does not imply standing idly by. This is well understood by many young people, who are willing to offer their unconditional help during these times which have already made their mark on the history books.

Being volunteer gave me, as an indigenous woman, the opportunity to be an agent of change, coherent with my community’s cosmovision. Volunteering is an ancestral treasure that should be transmitted from generation to generation. This guarantees good living, with respect and harmony between humanity and nature. Let’s boost our communities to gain awareness of gender equality, as a pre-condition to progress towards sustainable development. --Ingrid Sierra, UN Volunteer with UN Women

For the first time, the Peruvian government organized a national event to convene volunteer leaders from all 24 regions of the country to jointly reflect, learn, collaborate and celebrate volunteer efforts in involving individuals, especially those left behind, in addressing development challenges. 

For the first time, the Peruvian government organized a national event to convene volunteer leaders from all 24 regions of the country to jointly reflect, learn, collaborate and celebrate volunteer efforts in involving individuals, especially those left behind, in addressing development challenges. 

For our International Volunteer Day Event 2019, The UNICEF UN Volunteer colleagues are developing activities for the IVD, there will be music  perfomance, dance meetings between local and migrant cultural groups, a painting activity with migrant and colombian children and youth and a gastronomic exchange with Christmas dishes that will be prepared by people living in settlements. In the afternoon there will be a day of sports and cultural integration between the UNV community and the volunteers who support different initiatives in tha municipality.

On the occassion of International Volunteer Day 2019, we will gather information to prepare a national volunteer report and generate dynamic and innovative proposals to achieve better results. We will partner with Guatemalan Volunteer Center and International Association for Volunteer Effort. When: 5th to 6th  December 2019, Guatemala Ciudad

The event is organised by the Federation of private Institutions of children, young people and the family (FIPAN) where a recognition will be made of Venezuelan volunteers who dedicate their effort and time to work for children, youth and family. The event will be attended by more than 300 people, including volunteers and special guests and speakers of a very hight level. For the event, they have requested the UN Volunteer Venezuela program to make a presentation. When: 5th of december 2019, Centro Cultural de Chacao- Caracas, Venezuela

For International Volunteer Day 2019, we are having a "Volunteer in images" award and photography contest. This is an artistic solidarity initiative of the Volunteer Programme of the Directorate General for Strengthening Civil Society (Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and the Rumbo Sur Civil Association of Argentina. Initially, this was developed in 2011 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the "International Year of the Volunteer", declared by the United Nations.