Nairobi, 19 February 2018 - UNV’s Deputy Executive Coordinator, Mr. Toily Kurbanov, will be travelling to South Sudan and Kenya between February 19 and February 23, 2018. The mission seeks to advance volunteerism’s positive impact on provision of social services, employment, peace and reconciliation. Mr. Kurbanov will recognize the work of UN Volunteers in hardship conditions, promote volunteerism as a powerful means in achieving the Agenda 2030 and inform UNV’s partners about the organization’s new priorities in 2018-2021.
In 2017, the region of East and Southern Africa hosted 1456 UN Volunteers; South Sudan and Kenya represented the highest number of volunteers in the region with 601 and 242 respectively.
“East and Southern Africa is an ascending region with young and dynamic population and vibrant economies. At the same time as it undergoes profound social, economic and technological transformation, it is also coping with internal and cross-border conflicts, adverse impact of climate change and significant youth bulge. Volunteering can help increase youth employability, while also assisting in crucial humanitarian, peace and development initiatives of the United Nations in the region”, - said Mr. Kurbanov at the start of his trip.
The Deputy Executive Coordinator will be accompanied throughout the mission by the newly appointed UNV Regional Manager for East and Southern Africa, Mr. Njoya Tikum, who is joining UNV from the United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa.
UNV has strengthened its presence in the region by revamping operations, resources and staff to the Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Please contact Ms. Jennifer Stapper (jennifer.stapper@unv.org) or Ms. Janna Schneider (janna.schneider@unv.org) for more information. Photography is available upon request.