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.

On the occassion of international Volunteer Day 2019, we will raise awareness on disability inclusion through volunteerism UNV Guinea-Biissau and UNDP  supported the production of a short film that was displayed for the first time on the 3rd of dcecember.In cooperation with the National Volunteer Committee (CNV-GB) after the official IVD celebration on 5 December a workshop to strengthen employment opportunities of vulnerable youth (incl. those with disabilities) will take place.

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.

This year's activities for International Volunteer day in Chad focus on the sector of health and inclusion of vulnerable people. we have organised activities in Abéché; Medical parade and solidarity activities at the regional hospital which include blood donation, awareness raising campaign about the treatment of malaria and diabetes screening, HIV/AIDS awareness raising event at the the Lycée Franco-Arabe in Abéché  and a conference on the contribution of volunteerism to Inclusion. When: 2nd to 5th December 2019,  Lycée Franco-Arabe, Abéché, Chad

Inorder to give volunteerism a voice, we have organised a road show in Lagos for International Volunteer Day 2019. On the  same occasion we have organised a conference with the theme volunteerism can promote inclusivity. The event unites actors from different perspectives; national NGOs focusing on youth, the Nigerian National Volunteeer Service (NNVs) and the UNV Country Coordinater. Special guest Speaker: Olusegun Dawodu, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry for Youth and Social Development.

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.

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. 

As part of a team, Louise works on the implementation of two counter-trafficking projects, which strengthens the knowledge and capacity of the government to respond to trafficking. The projects include awareness raising in communities, which aims at informing community members about trafficking and related risks.

Through my volunteer assignment I support and develop workplaces for people with disabilities. Fundamentally, my goal is to remove barriers to employability for disabled people in Belarus, by educating employers on how to create accessible and inclusive working environments. Belarus signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in September 2015 and committed to the creation of an inclusive community. Despite this undertaking, progress has been slow.

Volunteerism is a significant part of Sri Lankan culture. In the World Giving Index published in October 2019 by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), Sri Lanka ranked number one in time volunteered.