Engaging youth for peace and development in Eastern Ukraine
Since the beginning of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine in 2013, some 1.7 million people have been officially registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs), an estimated 3.8 million need humanitarian assistance, and 2.9 million live in areas beyond Government control. Long-term displacement poses difficult challenges due to the lack of opportunities available to people who have abandoned their homes—forcing some to return to insecure areas in search of work. In 2016, four UN Youth Volunteers were on assignment in Kramatorsk, Eastern Ukraine. Two were helping to monitor human rights in the region while two others contributed to community security, helping reintegrate those who simply want to return home and those who remained despite the fighting.
Fostering participation and social justice in conflict-affected communities
Volunteerism is a message of peace against terrorism
The willingness to do good, to help others, to give, and to provide relief to the needy, are all inherent qualities of Arab culture. Volunteerism is visible throughout the region when we see, for example, the inhabitants of villages in Sudan gathering during the harvest season to cooperate without expectation of pay or material return. Much remains to be done, however, to engage Arab youth at the community level and create opportunities for their inclusion and participation through volunteerism.
There are different interpretations of the concept of volunteering across cultures and regions, and this is equally true within Arab countries. When a wealthy citizen reacts to a natural disaster by offering to contribute money, or makes donations of blankets and food to the people affected by the disaster, this is often seen as voluntary and therefore volunteerism. Charity is a vital component of humanitarian assistance, but it is not volunteerism.
17 countries emphasise the value of volunteerism in achieving the SDGs
The Voluntary National Reviews facilitate sharing experiences, successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs. They are voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and ideally involve multiple national stakeholders. The Reports are expected to serve as a basis for the annual reviews by the HLPF.
17 countries emphasise the value of volunteerism in achieving the SDGs
The Voluntary National Reviews facilitate sharing experiences, successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs. They are voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and ideally involve multiple national stakeholders. The Reports are expected to serve as a basis for the annual reviews by the HLPF.
Young people volunteer online for peace
Despite being one of the most vulnerable population groups in times of conflict, young people’s boundless energy can be channeled into meeting the demands posed by complex antagonisms and help their societies thrive and overcome the burdens of bloodshed and poverty. Advocating for global solidarity and multilateral cooperation, as well as promoting the creed that no one should be left behind, UNV and its extensive network of Online Volunteers actively engages young people in various development initiatives.
Young people volunteer online for peace
Despite being one of the most vulnerable population groups in times of conflict, young people’s boundless energy can be channeled into meeting the demands posed by complex antagonisms and help their societies thrive and overcome the burdens of bloodshed and poverty. Advocating for global solidarity and multilateral cooperation, as well as promoting the creed that no one should be left behind, UNV and its extensive network of Online Volunteers actively engages young people in various development initiatives.