Peace is a broad word — it covers general domains of providing access to justice and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. It also refers to specific United Nations mandates that are being implemented under peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions.  While the role of the UN in maintaining and restoring peace is pivotal in laying the foundations for a peaceful world, it is also important to note the role of young people, who are active agents of change. 

The International Day of Trans Visibility is commemorated every year on March 31 – it is a date dedicated to promoting, celebrating and recognizing the participation of transgender people. However, in the Dominican Republic – as is the case in many places worldwide – transgender people are subject to discrimination and violence. An assessment of health needs of transgender people conducted in the country in 2015 uncovered that 79 pre cent of the transgender population had been denied employment or had been terminated because of their gender identity.

As part of the next State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, UNV commissioned a study based on original multi-country quantitative data to understand patterns of volunteer participation during the global COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer motivations and experiences, and what these might mean for people’s voluntary participation.

​Even before the pandemic, millions of people took to the streets to make their voices heard. Rising inequalities were a common factor for these public displays, and minorities such as persons with disabilities, indigenous communities, refugees, and migrants, among others, were the hardest hit groups.

The UN Volunteers deliver in a variety of roles, ranging from protection, refugee status determination, livelihoods, WASH, and health, to administrative functions and communication. Their goal? To improve the well-being of the refugees. 

Most UN Volunteers in Balkan countries are highly skilled individuals, eager to apply and transfer their previous experience in a new context. They are motivated more by the tasks at hand and the opportunity to contribute projects of value. --Rimma Sabayeva, UNV Regional Manager for Europe and CIS

Together we heal: We heal together when we all get the care we need Adow Mohamed Ibrahim is a Somali Refugee UN Volunteer for Youth Activities. Since October 2020, he has been serving with UNHCR in Dadaab in youth programmes.