I guess some of you might have heard collegues went on mission assignment with the UN under a UNV Contract. Or perhaps ever heard of volunteering for peace through the United Nations Volunteer.

What is UNV’s mission?
Volunteering brings benefits to both society at large and the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It contributes to more cohesive societies by building trust and reciprocity among citizens. The United Nations Volunteers is the United Nations organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity. It values free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism.

UNMIL-UNV Programme Today
The UNMIL-UNV Programme began to be operational in October 2003. Since then, seven hundred and forty seven (747) have provided support to the mission in Liberia. There are currently two hundred and forty four (244 UN-Volunteers serving with the UNMIL, both in substantive functions areas such as Civil Affairs and Human Rights and in technical support areas (Logistics, Finance officers, Engineers and Information and Communication Technicians).

Over the past three years, the UNV volunteers assigned to UNMIL have significantly contributed to:

• Facilitate the transfer of skills and knowledge in the areas of Transport, HIV/AIDS, Finance, Engineering, Public Information, etc.
• Promote volunteerism through the creation of a platform for community participation at the community levels
• Support institutional strengthening programmes that enhance the promotion of good governance and provide support to local Government, NGOs, bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies in Liberia
• Organized the successful implementation of the last national election in Liberia that led to the inauguration of the first African female head of state
• Take a lead role in the mobilization of volunteers to undertake teaching programmes at national universities

The UNV volunteers with UNMIL represent 68 different nationalities and 80.60% originate from developing countries. The female UNVs account for 32.79% of the total. The average age is 36 years.

Promotion of Volunteerism in Liberia

UNV Radio Programme in collaboration with UNMIL Radio
The Radio Programme Volunteers’ Voices is aimed at building public awareness and promoting the impact of volunteerism in the realization of Peace Keeping and sustainable human development efforts. It was first aired in February 2007 when two volunteers were interviewed on their roles as UNVs in peace keeping operations, their motivations and distinctive contributions to social, economic and humanitarian programmes in Liberia. By May 2008, over 150 UNVs would have participated on this programme since it was first aired.

Meet our colleagues below whose experience will be shared on-air on UNMIL Radio.

UNV Newsletter
Another way to get to know UNV is through our newsletter periodically published online. Unique New Visions is a publication of UNV Support Office. It has started in 2004 and was re-launched in March 2007. The newsletter captures the volunteers’ all in a day’s work. It encourages UNVs to share their work-related activities in terms of writing. Unique New Visions emphasizes the volunteers’ importance on their active participation in peace keeping operations. To date, we have produced 5 editions.

Thinking serious of volunteering for peace?, perhaps you should check out our recruitment webpage here.