The event will take stock of progress and ways to strengthen volunteering in the development context. Participants will explore the new factors, best practices, lessons learnt that are important to reimaging volunteering for the 2030 Agenda. According to recent estimates in the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2018, there were over 8.9 million full time equivalent volunteers in the Arab States region (18 countries reporting) in 2018. 17.1% are formal volunteers, within organized volunteer structures, while the vast majority (82.9%) are volunteering informally.

The event will take stock of progress and ways to strengthen volunteering in the development context. Participants will explore the new factors, best practices, lessons learnt that are important to reimaging volunteering for the 2030 Agenda. According to recent estimates in the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2018, there were over 8.9 million full time equivalent volunteers in the Arab States region (18 countries reporting) in 2018. 17.1% are formal volunteers, within organized volunteer structures, while the vast majority (82.9%) are volunteering informally.

UNV is modifying its systems to make becoming a UN Volunteer and recruiting a UN Volunteer both intuitive and digital savvy. The organization-wide DT project, which is supported by the Government of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), leads to new organizational capabilities, augmented by frontier technologies such as AI, Big Data and cloud computing. With efficiency gains and real-time engagement with candidates and UN host entities alike, UNV will better respond to the most pressing needs of the UN and its Member States.

Katinka Weinberger, Chief of the Environment and Development Policy Section, Environment and Development Division at ESCAP, delivered the opening remarks. By learning about the interconnected nature of the SDGs and using a systems thinking approach, we hope that you will be better equipped to support the integration of volunteerism in policies and programmes that place people at the center, to ensure that no one is left behind. --Katinka Weinberger, Chief of the Environment and Development Policy Section, ESCAP

I serve as a UN Volunteer with UNDP, as part of the Armenia National SDG Innovation Lab, which supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.  I came to Armenia in February 2019 with high expectations, keen to learn more about data analysis and big data. 

Bonn, Germany – This week, a partnership agreement was signed between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The commitment to a strengthened partnership between UNV and the Republic of Kazakhstan extends to supporting UN Volunteer assignments for Kazakhstani nationals to serve within the United Nations system. "We highly appreciate the partnership with the Republic of Kazakhstan and the commitment to continue to promote volunteerism within the country and globally," states Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV.

Bonn, Germany – This week, a partnership agreement was signed between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The commitment to a strengthened partnership between UNV and the Republic of Kazakhstan extends to supporting UN Volunteer assignments for Kazakhstani nationals to serve within the United Nations system. "We highly appreciate the partnership with the Republic of Kazakhstan and the commitment to continue to promote volunteerism within the country and globally," states Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV.

Bonn, Germany – This week, a partnership agreement was signed between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The commitment to a strengthened partnership between UNV and the Republic of Kazakhstan extends to supporting UN Volunteer assignments for Kazakhstani nationals to serve within the United Nations system. "We highly appreciate the partnership with the Republic of Kazakhstan and the commitment to continue to promote volunteerism within the country and globally," states Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV.

The activities I am engaged in at the Child Protection Unit are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically with SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The unit’s work in Malakal meets one of the major targets specified under this goal, which is to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against, and torture of, children. 

Serving with the IOM Durable Solutions Programme, Leena recognizes the opportunity to consult people with various backgrounds as a real asset in her daily activities as a UN Volunteer. She sees the diversity of their ideas and opinions as a rich resource to build cohesion and sustainable solutions. Volunteerism strengthens civic engagement, social inclusion, solidarity and ownership. It also builds capacities, ownership and connections between local communities and national authorities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.