UNV

United Nations Volunteers
Item ID
{F78E81D8-EB81-4D31-92D3-92629C002CBC}
UNAgency ID
{6F304F18-C0DA-4EF7-BF75-BF3BE76A2619}
Policy Framework
UNV works within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) framework for Empowerment and Equality (UNDP, 2008) which is based on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (as well as other human rights treaties) to promote equality, peace and development.
Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was established by the UN General Assembly in 1970 and is administered by UNDP. Free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity are the foundation of volunteerism. Volunteerism serves the cause of peace and development by enhancing opportunities for participation by all, particularly women. Since the start of its operations, UNV has supported the UN system by mobilizing volunteers for peace and development all over the world. More than 6.500 UN Volunteers served in 2017. In its resolution 70/129 of December 2015, the UN General Assembly reaffirmed that volunteerism can be a powerful and cross-cutting means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mail Address
UN Campus. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1. 53113 Bonn, Germany
Areas of Work

In partnership with governments, civil society organizations and UN agencies, funds and programmes, UNV contributes to gender equality by raising awareness as well as the prevention and elimination of violence against women through advocacy, integration and mobilization of volunteers.

Agency Type
Title
United Nations Volunteers

Feb 2017 - Apr 2018 | UNV

UNV supports the deployment of UN Volunteers in conflict and post-conflict contexts, including peacekeeping missions. There, the UN Volunteers support the UN mandate implementation on the ground, including addressing sexual violence.

In all three Peacebuilding Fund’s Gender Promotion Initiatives, the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, UN-Women, and UN Volunteers have supported gender-responsive peacebuilding programming.

 

Feb 2017 - Apr 2018 | UNV

UN Volunteers support a wide-range of UN efforts worldwide to build capacity of women and girls, as well as of communities on gender-related issues. For example, UN Volunteers assigned to UN Women in Quetta, Pakistan, launched a radio project which engaged marginalized women and youth in the establishment of community-based radio programmes for entertainment, information and education.

Mar 2009 - Sept 2009 | UNV

In Darfur, UNV volunteers mobilized a paralegal aid network comprised of attorneys, professors and speakers to volunteer their services. They provide seminars and training to internally displaced persons (IDPs), community members, women and men, youth, and traditional community leaders on gender-based violence, and how to best provide support to survivors and families. Volunteer attorneys also accompany UNDP on field missions with the Mobile Legal Aid Clinics to provide legal assistance to survivors.

Mar 2009 - Sept 2009 | UNV

In Sri Lanka, the UNV Volunteer Information and Coordination Centre (VOICE) has been extended into 2008-2010 to include a Legal Empowerment Volunteers Scheme. This pilot project mobilizes university volunteers to support legal empowerment activities. Legal aid is provided to migrant women workers by 30 volunteers in seven locations. Through the empowerment scheme, the legal volunteers learn about marginalisation and vulnerability in their own society. The legal aid pilot project also concentrates on those affected by gender-based violence to help them attain equal access to justice.