Real time learning through volunteering

Magdeline M. Sekhu and Georgina Edwards, UN Volunteers in South Africa
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Magdeline M. Sekhu and Georgina Edwards are UN Volunteers in South Africa. They reflect on volunteering and how it brings positive change to the United Nations system in the country. This is their story.

 

Georgina Edwards, UN Volunteer Innovation Analyst with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in South Africa

After finishing my graduate degree, I interned with UN-Habitat and that set the stage for my UN career. 

Transitioning to a UN Volunteer assignment in 2021 was a turning point, allowing me to step into my dream role as an Innovation Analyst with UNFPA.

From clicks to progress in Iraq

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From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development is the theme for International Youth Day 2024. Personifying the theme are five Online Volunteers with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq. Through volunteering, they illustrate how important it is to narrow the digital divide and give communities the opportunities to expand in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Digital technology is more than just a tool; it’s a lifeline, a bridge to a future with no boundaries, only limitless possibilities.

Reducing the environmental footprint

UN Volunteers with West and Central Africa
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Wanjiku Eva Muthoni and Kebbeh W. Baysah are UN Volunteers with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Championing the cause of reducing the environmental footprint of MONUSCO, both Wanjiku and Kebbeh serve with the Environmental Protection Unit.

With land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience at the core — MONUSCO's Environmental Protection Unit includes cleaning sites and handing them over to landowners — tasks that Wanjiku and Kebbeh are responsible for in their volunteer assignments. 

Say no to child marriage in India

UN Volunteers with UNICEF
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Poonam Kashyap is a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in India. She is based in Maharashtra, where she uses communication channels like radio broadcasts, social media, and open dialogues to educate people on the harmful practice of child marriage.

A retired Indian Army Officer with over a decade of military service, Poonam joined UNICEF in 2022 as a Child Protection Officer. She spreads the word about the negative impact of child marriage on everyone — the child plus society at large. 

Volunteering for environmental sustainability in Ecuador

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My name is Kory Anne Barras Tapia. I am Swiss-Bolivian and joined the World Bank Office in Quito in September 2022. Just recently I completed my two-year UN Volunteer service as an Environmental and Social Analyst, which was fully funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Sustainability is something we can't stop talking about. It's at the forefront of conversations and dialogues. So was the case for my volunteer assignment—promoting sustainable development guidelines in project planning and execution.

Modernizing urban transport in Senegal

United Nations Volunteers
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Christophe Haesler is a UN Volunteer Specialist with the World Bank Office in Dakar. He serves as a Transport Sector Initiative Analyst. Christophe is a transport enthusiast and always had a desire to work in international development. This is his story. 

Christophe joined the World Bank in August 2022.

He has since then contributed to some 15 World Bank-funded projects, one of which, was the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Senegal.

As part of the project, he published the State of the Transport Sector Report and also supported documenting new strategies for enhancing road safety in Dakar. 

Ensuring women's voices are heard

Leyla Novruzlu, UN Volunteer with UNDP Azerbaijan
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Leyla Novruzlu is a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 5 calling for gender equality under the second phase of Women's Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus programme in Azerbaijan.

 

Leyla started her volunteering journey with UNDP as a Project Clerk.

She provides administrative support, maintains project documents, and assists communication across many levels. "I am keen to contribute to a culture of inclusivity within the team and ensure that women's voices are heard and valued at every stage of the project." Leyla shares.

Think and then act for the environment

Bilel Dhouib, UN Volunteer Environmental Education Officer, UNMISS South Sudan
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I am Bilel Dhouib, UN Volunteer Environmental Education Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The mission's mandate is to protect civilians and build durable peace. I am part of a creative team making sure our work is eco-friendly.

I serve with the Environment and Occupational Safety and Health Unit.

Every newcomer to UNMISS, whether civilian, military, or police, goes through environmental induction training. My responsibility is to make sure they understand how important it is to consider the environment in everything they do.

We look at aspects such as wastewater management, solid waste management, and energy use.

Peacekeeping in hard-to-reach Abyei

UN Volunteers with UNISFA
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Prince Jacob from India, Caroline Barozi from Uganda, and Tsegaye Hailemeskel from Ethiopia are UN Volunteers with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). 

Prince Jacob is a UN Volunteer Nurse. He administers vaccinations, delivers nursing care, facilitates prompt emergency responses, and ensures medical support for UNISFA's field operations.

Nursing in the peacekeeping context — Prince's service directly impacts the health and welfare of all personnel including international peacekeepers and local staff engaged in the mission's endeavours.

Abyei is situated between Sudan and South Sudan.

Online Volunteers compile data for digital governance

UNV Online Volunteering Service
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Belenky Lorena from Argentina and Won Fy Lee from Korea were among the 250 Online Volunteers from 80 countries who supported the development of the 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey conducted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). 

The United Nations E-Government Survey is a development tool that examines countries’ strengths, challenges and opportunities, and informs policies and strategies. 

From June to September 2023, each Online Volunteer collected data through online assessments of national and city-level public sector portals, including associated official websites of 193 United Nations Member States.

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