Data supports the existence of a significant nexus between gender mainstreaming, sustaining peace, and civic and volunteer engagement. This was the topic of discussion at a side event organized on 27 October 2016 by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in New York.

On Saturday, March 16, 2013, no less than one hundred and ten cyclists took part in a 6.25 kilometer long race through the main streets of the city. Riding not just any bicycles, across each set of handlebars sat a Tshukudu, the 40 kilogram wooden container which converts each bicycle into the region’s unique and perhaps most important heavy cargo-carrier.

On Saturday, March 16, 2013, no less than one hundred and ten cyclists took part in a 6.25 kilometer long race through the main streets of the city. Riding not just any bicycles, across each set of handlebars sat a Tshukudu, the 40 kilogram wooden container which converts each bicycle into the region’s unique and perhaps most important heavy cargo-carrier.

In Timor-Leste, United Nations Day celebrations took place with the re-inauguration of the Peace Memorial in the International People’s Park on Dili's waterfront. The Park re-opened with a refurbished Peace Memorial after months of extensive repairs. UN Volunteers assisted the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) in making celebrations happen with three events to recognize the United Nations' central role in leading to independence and peace for the Timorese.

Though great strides have been made since the end of the Liberian civil conflict in 2003 there is still a lot of work to be done to assure sustained peace and development. It is against this backdrop that Messengers of Peace – Liberia (MOP) conceptualized and executed the outreach programme 21 Days of Activism: Volunteerism for Peace and Development to which the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme Liberia has been giving critical support.

Though great strides have been made since the end of the Liberian civil conflict in 2003 there is still a lot of work to be done to assure sustained peace and development. It is against this backdrop that Messengers of Peace – Liberia (MOP) conceptualized and executed the outreach programme 21 Days of Activism: Volunteerism for Peace and Development to which the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme Liberia has been giving critical support.

Next time you are in Mapel, in Western Bahr El Gazal state in South Sudan, check out the busy restaurants located near the military barracks.  One is operated by Mary Alueth Madu, now a successful business woman, who employs a staff of six. This is certainly a change since those days before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed, when Mary spent 10 years cooking for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

Dili, Timor-Leste: Whoosh! A cascade of water flew into the air as a Tour de Timor biker grabbed the open bottle from my hand and continued up the steep Natarbora hill. It was obvious that staffing a water station for the Tour de Timor 2011 was going to involve a personal soaking. As I, along with three national staff with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and a group of community volunteers, filled water bottles and camelbacks, the bikers seemed relieved to receive our smiles and the refreshment.