On 17 January 2017, Mr. Olivier Adam (France) arrived in Bonn as the new Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Mr. Adam was appointed by the UNDP Administrator Ms. Helen Clark and succeeds Mr. Richard Dictus (Netherlands).
Bonn, Germany: On 17 January 2017, Mr. Olivier Adam (France) arrived in Bonn as the new Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Mr. Adam was appointed by the UNDP Administrator Ms. Helen Clark and succeeds, Mr. Richard Dictus (Netherlands).
“UNV has a unique mandate, as it offers people around the world the possibility to engage with the three pillars of the United Nations – from promoting development and ensuring equality to delivering humanitarian assistance and building peace – through voluntary action,” Mr. Adam states. “It will be my privilege to lead the organization at these critical times, when meeting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals relies on individuals showing solidarity. There is no greater way to do this than through volunteerism. UNV has a crucial role to play in ensuring no one is left behind.”
Mr. Adam has served the United Nations in a broad range of posts over the last 30 years. The deep rooted motivation for positive social change that is visible in the countless daily actions of individuals throughout the globe are for Mr. Adam a continuous source of inspiration. More than 19,000 UN Volunteers, online and in the field, contribute to peace and development worldwide, exemplifying this powerful facet of our shared humanity.
It will be my privilege to lead the organization at these critical times, when meeting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals relies on individuals showing solidarity. There is no greater way to do this than through volunteerism. UNV has a crucial role to play in ensuring no one is left behind.
Mr. Adam joins UNV after serving as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Regional Director and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Regional Bureau for Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States (2014-2016). Among his roles at the UN, Mr. Adam was Manager of the UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre (2012-2014) and UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine (2009-2012).
Mr. Adam will lead UNV in its dual mandate to mobilize volunteers to serve in UN agencies, both in development programmes and peacekeeping operations, and to advocate for the importance of volunteerism in development worldwide – making volunteerism an integral part of attaining the sustainable development agenda.
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For further information and interviews please contact:
Jennifer Stapper, Chief, Communications, UNV, jennifer.stapper@unv.org
Mobile: +49 15201522181
Editor’s note:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism.
UNV deploys, on the ground, almost 7,000 UN Volunteers in over 130 countries. An additional 12,000 UN Online Volunteers dedicate their time and efforts virtually, proving that anyone anywhere can contribute to peace and development. UN Volunteers make a difference wherever they are active: from Haiti to South Sudan in peacekeeping; to relief efforts in Nepal and women’s empowerment in Ecuador. UN Volunteers reach 2,000 civil society organizations with additional capacity and new skills and contribute to the work of more than 30 UN entities in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).