Promoting Volunteerism for Peace and Development

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6 . PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENTThe enormous potential of volunteerism forpeace and development inspires us as anorganization, and it is our mission to deliveron that potential.Ever since UNV served as the focal point ofthe International Year of Volunteers in 2001,UNV has acted as a global advocate forvolunteerism for peace and development,promoting greater understanding andrecognition that volunteerism is a sustainableand culturally adapted asset for developmentand peace. UNV also serves as the hub forvolunteerism within the United Nations,reinforcing linkages between volunteerismand the attainment of the MDGs.Achieving the MDGs by the year 2015 callsfor a global partnership with commitmentsfrom both developed and developingcountries. It also requires the activeparticipation of millions of ordinary citizensfrom all sectors of public and private life.National governments have developmentplans specific to their country‘s needs.Mobilizing people‘s energy, creativity,knowledge and skills through volunteerismtowards meeting development goals canfacilitate a country‘s progress, especiallywhen civil society, the private sector,multilateral and bilateral agencies and otherstakeholders are prepared to integratevolunteerism in delivering on their ownmandates. UNV itself, through mobilizingUN Volunteers and other volunteers, workstoward harnessing volunteerism at thecountry, regional and international levels tomeet critical development goals.Promoting volunteerism for peace anddevelopment is at the core of the UNVmission, and it is our hope and expectationthat you will keep volunteerism at theforefront of your UNV assignment right fromthe start. As a UN Volunteer, you can make adifference by taking a creative approach bothwithin and beyond the prescribed structure ofyour assignment to develop capacity andmobilize others to volunteer for development.Implementing volunteerism for peace anddevelopment results in a win-win situation forthe country where you are volunteering, foryour host organization and for you.Dolores Nunez from Spain wasserving as a UNV Assistant to theUNDP Resident Representative inEcuador while also building capacitiesof representatives of volunteerinvolving organizations. During herworking hours she also trains andadvises members of the nationalvolunteerism round table on projectwriting and proposal in order to obtainfunding. This was made an integralpart of her Description of Assignment.
VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT . 7What does it mean to volunteer?Volunteerism is a fundamental source ofcommunity strength and resilience thatexists in all societies throughout the world.Volunteerism is expressed through a widerange of activities, including traditionalforms of mutual aid and self-help, formalservice delivery, campaigning andadvocacy, as well as other forms of civicparticipation. The UN General Assemblydefines volunteerism as undertaken offree will, for the general public good, andwhere monetary reward is not theprincipal motivating factor. 3Following the International Year ofVolunteers in 2001, the UN GeneralAssembly recognized that “volunteerismis an important component of any strategyaimed at…poverty reduction, sustainabledevelopment, health, disaster preventionand management, social integration andovercoming social exclusion anddiscrimination”. And that “volunteering,particularly at the community level, willhelp to achieve the development goalsand objectives set out in the UNMillennium Development Goals…” 43. UN General Assembly A/RES/56/38 Distr. 10 January 20024. UN General Assembly A/RES/57/106 December 2002Here are a few contemporary examples ofculturally recognized forms ofvolunteerism:■ Minga – In Latin America, minga meansa call for action or a coming together ofthe community for the benefit of all.■ Harambee – In East Africa, harambeemeans working together for a commonpurpose, and encompasses both short,informal affairs as well as organized,days-long events. Harambee gatheringsplay an important role in building andmaintaining communities.■ Kutandizana – In Zambia, kutandizanameans helping each other.■ Zunde RaMambo – In Zimbabwe,Zunde RaMambo literally means‘Chief’s Granary’, but it refers to variousforms of volunteerism, such ascollective planting and harvesting,especially to help vulnerable peopleovercome hardships and benefit fromthe harvest.■ Tatawo – In the Arab region, tataworefers to volunteer labour at both thecommunity and the family level, anexchange that is offered withoutexpectation of direct equal return.■ Mikprites – The Albanian people havean informal mutual support mechanismcalled mikprites, meaning hospitality.
Page 1 and 2: VOLUNTEER TOOLKITYOUR ASSIGNMENT AS
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS . 1TABLE OF CONTENTSIntrod
Page 5 and 6: INTRODUCTION . 3Your role as a UN V
Page 7: VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPM
Page 11 and 12: PRIOR TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 9Prior t
Page 13 and 14: PRIOR TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 11L In t
Page 15 and 16: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 13to the p
Page 17 and 18: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 15that you
Page 19 and 20: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 17Building
Page 21 and 22: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 19Taking a
Page 23 and 24: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 21UN Volun
Page 25 and 26: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 23L UNV Do
Page 27 and 28: L A selection of the association’
Page 29 and 30: L A Spanish UN Volunteer with the U
Page 31 and 32: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 29encourag
Page 33 and 34: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 31Integrat
Page 35 and 36: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 33“I tri
Page 37 and 38: DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 35accompli
Page 39 and 40: AFTER TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 37Keepin
Page 41 and 42: NOTES
Page 44: UNV is administered by theUnited Na

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