Laying the ground for sustainable peace in Sudan

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UN Volunteers in peacekeeping missions in Sudan have for over a decade supported the country in navigating the difficult path from conflict to peace. Contributions made by young peacekeepers such as the UN Volunteers featured in this story help Sudan build resilience. They support peace missions in delivering their mandates and laying the groundwork to sustain long-term peace.

Since the establishment of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in 2007, 696 UN Volunteers have served with the mission.  These have included specialists in human rights, civil affairs, protection and electoral support, alongside technical and administrative experts as well. This year, UNAMID is closing down and is being replaced with a new mission, the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS)

"I constantly remind myself to focus on small successes that contribute to lasting peace"

Kirti Kler, UN Volunteer, UNMISS
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27-year-old Kirti Kler has travelled a long way from India to serve for peace in the world’s largest United Nations Peacekeeping mission, UNMISS. Deployed to Lakes state of South Sudan, Kirti is a committed Civil Affairs Officer, working all hours to convene and connect local communities in this deep field location. Read her interview and be inspired.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Restoring the wellbeing and dignity of beneficiaries through volunteer engagement

Hope Nanungi, Acquisition Planning Assistant in MINUSMA, Mali
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Hope Nanungi is one of 204 UN Volunteers serving in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).  On the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the 29-year-old Ugandan shares her volunteer journey.

To me, volunteerism is a very fascinating journey of exploring myself, diverse cultures, communities and the world at large. In January 2016, I felt I should pass on my skills further to a more global community. Having acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Logistics Management with CIPS, I decided to register for Online Volunteer opportunities with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme.

UNV partnering with Kazakhstan

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The Republic of Kazakhstan has been a strong and active partner to the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Following a 2019 decree declaring 2020 as the Year of Volunteerism in Kazakhstan, which was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a cooperation agreement with UNV on 20 November 2019.

Kazakhstan contributes to the work of UNV through its Full Funding programme, cost-sharing efforts and support for International Volunteer Day (IVD) and other events. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan is a committed partner, and has been making a financial contribution of US $2,000 to UNV's Special Voluntary Fund (SVF) every year since 2016.

"We still remember traveling 1,000 bumpy kilometres by taxi bus over four days for me to start serving as a UN Volunteer"

Manitra Raoliarisoa (Madagascar) and Eun Young Jung (Republic of Korea)
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Due to COVID-19, this past year has placed a tremendous burden on families and parents. We have had to deal with lockdowns, separation from loved ones, school closures and online learning, and shouldering additional responsibilities. As we mark the International Day of Families on 15 May and the Global Day of Parents on 1 June, we feature the very personal stories and coping strategies of our UN Volunteers – as partners, parents, children and more. In this article, meet Manitra and Eun Young.

Manitra Raoliarisoa, former UN Volunteer Local Support Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme in Madagascar

For over five years, I had the pleasure of serving as a national UN Volunteer with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and contributing to the development of my country – Madagascar. Time passed so fast, but the fond memories have stayed with me.

Transforming violent behaviours into peacebuilding – Alpha's story from Sierra Leone

Alpha Koroma, Generations For Peace Lead Pioneer, Sierra Leone
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In order to sustain peace over the long term, it is necessary to engage the local population, especially youth. In conflict-affected areas across the world, countless extraordinary young people seek creative ways to consolidate and support peace. For many of them, their motivation stems from their own experience of the atrocities of war and conflict. Alpha Koroma, from Sierra Leone, is one such volunteer. After experiencing the brutal violence of war as a child, he now seeks to transform a legacy of conflict into peacebuilding, through volunteering. UNV actively supported the UN Mission in Sierra Leone from 1999-2005 through the deployment of 83 UN Volunteers.* 

From the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, the Mano River Basin sub-region of West Africa was torn by civil wars that started in Liberia, and soon spread to neighboring countries. With all of West Africa under the threat of destabilization, the UN Security Council deployed six peacekeeping operations across the region from 1993 to 2018, to help build peace and protect local populations.

"Following the news of increasing COVID-19 cases causes me fear, anxiety and mental stress"

Gulfam Mustafa (Pakistan) and Ksenia Kandalintseva (Russian Federation)
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Due to COVID-19, this past year has placed a tremendous burden on families and parents. We have had to deal with lockdowns, separation from loved ones, school closures and online learning, and shouldering additional responsibilities. As we mark the International Day of Families on 15 May and the Global Day of Parents on 1 June, we feature the very personal stories and coping strategies of our UN Volunteers – as partners, parents, children and more. In this article, meet Gulfam and Ksenia.

Gulfam Mustafa, UN Volunteer Partnership and Resource Mobilization Officer serving with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Guinea Bissau 

As an international UN Volunteer, I live in a country thousands of miles away from my home. I have my family and kids back in Pakistan. Following the news of increasing COVID-19 cases causes me fear, anxiety and mental stress.

"Following the news of increasing COVID-19 cases causes me fear, anxiety and mental stress"

Gulfam Mustafa (Pakistan) and Samal Bekmaganbetova (Kazakhstan)
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Due to COVID-19, this past year has placed a tremendous burden on families and parents. We have had to deal with lockdowns, separation from loved ones, school closures and online learning, and shouldering additional responsibilities. As we mark the International Day of Families on 15 May and the Global Day of Parents on 1 June, we feature the very personal stories and coping strategies of our UN Volunteers – as partners, parents, children and more. In this article, meet Gulfam and Samal.

Gulfam Mustafa, UN Volunteer Partnership and Resource Mobilization Officer serving with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Guinea Bissau 

As an international UN Volunteer, I live in a country thousands of miles away from my home. I have my family and kids back in Pakistan. Following the news of increasing COVID-19 cases causes me fear, anxiety and mental stress.

The 100th UN volunteer of the Swiss Expert Pool

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This article is based on an interview with UN Youth Volunteer Kenza Gueddi, who was the 100th UN Youth Volunteer deployed through the Swiss Expert Pool for Civil Peacebuilding (SEF). Kenza's assignment was sponsored by the Peace and Human Rights Division (formerly Human Security Division, of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland.

You were the 100th United Nations Youth Volunteer (UNYV) deployed by SEF. What is your assessment of this young talent promotion programme?

Rudolf Maulany, medical doctor and veteran volunteer: "My dream is to continue till I’m 76"

Filip Andersson
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Rudolf Maulany just can’t get enough of UN volunteering on the international stage. At 72 and serving as a UN Volunteer and medical doctor in South Sudan, Dr Maulany has retired twice. Twice, he has opted for a return to the action. And, if he can have it his way, there is more to come.

"If I’m still healthy, my dream is to continue to serve as a volunteer till I’m 76, if possible. If not, I’ll have to hope to be reborn to have a new shot at it," the veteran volunteer says.

Having "retired" for good in the Netherlands in 2016, his adopted home country since 2003, Rudolf was no longer fettered by the time limit for UN volunteering in the field that applies to others, non-pensioners. That same year, he jumped at an opportunity to make Rumbek his base for a new adventure, and he hasn’t looked back since.

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