Both organizations recognize that volunteering for development can be a powerful force for change if inclusive, impactful and given appropriate support. Furthermore, they share a desire to promote quality volunteerism, undertaking research that articulates the diversity, value and impact of volunteering. UNV and VSO share learning and knowledge around volunteerism and the impact that volunteers contribute to the delivery of the SDGs.

Earlier this year, we launched our social integration strategy. Based on considerable research, it sets out a new definition of social integration – emphasizing that it is about more than simply the degree of contact between people but also includes promoting equality and improving people’s levels of activity and participation in their local communities. But encouraging social integration is a meaningless exercise unless people are provided with opportunities to come together. Volunteering does just that.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, together with a consortium of Guinean youth organizations, is carrying out sensitization campaigns about Ebola prevention measures in communities around the country.