Every day, an estimated one billion volunteers make a difference to the people and communities where they live and work. They create social bonds and give a voice to marginalized and vulnerable groups. They are often the first to act in moments of crisis. They dedicate their time, skills and passion to make the world a better place.

In Vientiane, on the 7th of december UNV Laos PDR will conduct a volunteering joint action in collaboration with the Vientiane City office for management and service (VCOMs). "Let's clean the Mekong River". This event will be open to public as a call for action to clean the Mekong river. Over 200 People are expected to participate in this event. Partners;

To mark the theme of International Volunteer Day 2019, Volunteer for an inclusive future, volunteers from Senegal is organizing a sensitization day on gender-based violence with sixty high school students in Guédiawaye. We will showcase a film produced for IVD and engage in discussion with volunteers and partners, including UN Women, the Association des Femmes Juristes and the African Leaders Factory Initiative. When: 4 December 2019, Guédiawaye, Senegal  

To mark the theme of International Volunteer Day 2019, Volunteer for an inclusive future, volunteers from Senegal is organizing a sensitization day on gender-based violence with sixty high school students in Guédiawaye. We will showcase a film produced for IVD and engage in discussion with volunteers and partners, including UN Women, the Association des Femmes Juristes and the African Leaders Factory Initiative. When: 4 December 2019, Guédiawaye, Senegal  

Olga acquired her physical-motor disability at the age of 13 due to muscular dystrophy, and since then, her wheelchair has become her ally. She has had to face social, attitudinal, architectural, and transport barriers that at certain times have hindered her full development and participation in social activities. All these challenges make her think that disability is not so much in the person but in the obstacles interfering with its independence and ability to function in society.

The UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities was launched in January 2018. With a commitment to leave no one behind, it promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce of the United Nations.  In 2019, 31 UN Volunteers with disabilities, including 15 deployed under the Talent Programme, served across the UN family. Many more UN Volunteers supported the provision of services to persons with disabilities.

On the occassion of international Volunteer Day 2019, we will raise awareness on disability inclusion through volunteerism UNV Guinea-Biissau and UNDP  supported the production of a short film that was displayed for the first time on the 3rd of dcecember.In cooperation with the National Volunteer Committee (CNV-GB) after the official IVD celebration on 5 December a workshop to strengthen employment opportunities of vulnerable youth (incl. those with disabilities) will take place.

As a UN Volunteer Disability Rights Officer with the Governance and Participation Unit of UNDP, I champion the rights of people with disabilities and act as a passionate voice for their support and inclusion.

This year's activities for International Volunteer day in Chad focus on the sector of health and inclusion of vulnerable people. we have organised activities in Abéché; Medical parade and solidarity activities at the regional hospital which include blood donation, awareness raising campaign about the treatment of malaria and diabetes screening, HIV/AIDS awareness raising event at the the Lycée Franco-Arabe in Abéché  and a conference on the contribution of volunteerism to Inclusion. When: 2nd to 5th December 2019,  Lycée Franco-Arabe, Abéché, Chad

Inorder to give volunteerism a voice, we have organised a road show in Lagos for International Volunteer Day 2019. On the  same occasion we have organised a conference with the theme volunteerism can promote inclusivity. The event unites actors from different perspectives; national NGOs focusing on youth, the Nigerian National Volunteeer Service (NNVs) and the UNV Country Coordinater. Special guest Speaker: Olusegun Dawodu, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry for Youth and Social Development.