SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
“Empowering young people with digital skills can transform their future and lead to gender equality,” says Helwise Boya, UN Volunteer Innovation and Technology Officer with UNFPA in Benin. She is passionate about making a positive change through volunteering. Helwise supports the #Tech4Girls project, which has imparted digital and entrepreneurial skills to over 200 girls, opening new career paths and boosting their confidence.
12 August 2024
West and Central Africa
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
The first regional Report of its kind – VCARE showcases the evolution of volunteering practices and the impact of volunteer efforts, emphasizes the value of volunteers' contributions, and identifies best practices in the region's volunteer movement.
The Report’s findings offer diverse examples of volunteer actions that can help to fast track the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the region's five countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
11 July 2024
Global, Europe and Central Asia
Article
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Asfia joined UNICEF Bangladesh in 2023. She brings a wealth of experience in early childhood education, play-based pedagogy, curriculum development, teachers’ professional development, and research.
As an Education Officer, Asfia regularly monitors classrooms. She gives feedback to teachers on widening their skills, refining teaching techniques, and promoting a positive learning environment. All of this directly impacts academic performance.
08 July 2024
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Mariko Otake is a UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer with UNHCR in Uganda. Her area of focus is the West Nile region — particularly Adjumani district, which is home to 19 refugee settlements and over 222,000 refugees.
Working closely with local government, partners, and refugee community leaders, Mariko makes sure the well-being of refugees is on top of the agenda.
She creates sustainable support systems within refugee communities by connecting local community members to refugee-led organizations.
19 June 2024
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Olena Samoilova is a Ukrainian refugee who left her home with her family when the war started in February 2022. She found refuge in Hungary the following month.
Driven by empathy and sense of responsibility to support others, she volunteered at migration service centers shortly after she arrived in Hungary.
18 June 2024
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
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.
10 June 2024
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Bhone's family was among some 1.9 million people affected by Cyclone Mocha. His house was destroyed. But he stood at the fore supporting recovery efforts as part of UNDP’s rapid response and early recovery initiative.
31 May 2024
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
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.
30 May 2024
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
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.
28 May 2024
Arab States
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
This is my first experience serving with UN peacekeeping operations.
My day-to-day tasks include documenting, reviewing and analyzing cases of conflict-related sexual violence. This exercise helps identify trends and patterns to inform prevention and response interventions.
28 May 2024
East and Southern Africa
Success stories