Objectives
The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV), created in 1971 by the United National General Assembly, is the focal point of the United Nations to raise awareness of volunteerism, increase reference and networking resources available and provide technical cooperation to developing countries in the field of volunteerism with the aim to fully exploit its potential as a resource to the achievement of the MDGs. At the heart of UNV’s approach is the conviction that voluntary action by millions of people is a vastly under recognized and under utilized resource that needs to be strategically engaged to help attain the MDGs.
Properly recognized and supported, volunteerism in its many forms empowers people affected by poverty and exclusion and encourages their ownership of and participation in development activities. Volunteerism has the potential to turn disadvantaged people from passive recipients into active actors in their own development. It helps to develop capacities and strengthens values based on collaborations and partnership.
UNV is administered by UNDP and cooperates with partners, UN agencies and organizations outside the UN system (i.e. government, civil society, NGOs, private sector) in their endeavors to deliver their objectives and commitment towards the MDGs.
Under its Business Model, UNV is engaged in three clusters of activities:
1. Advocacy of volunteerism for peace and development (V4D): Underlying premise is that voluntary action needs recognition and support to fully realize its potential.
2. Integrating volunteerism in development programming: UNV provides technical support, advisory services and small grants (UNV Special Voluntary Fund) to pilot and promote inclusion of volunteerism in activities that contribute to the achievement of the MDGs.
3. Mobilization of volunteers for peace and development: UNV helps countries to develop their capacity to mobilize and manage volunteers through establishment or strengthening of national volunteer programmes. UNV also mobilizes a number of UNV Volunteers, both national and international, as well as other volunteers.
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UNV in Syria
The UNV Programme has been present in Syria since 1979 when the first International UNV was recruited and in that time well over 180 International from all over the world and National UNV Volunteers have been assigned to the country. UNV Volunteers have contributed to development in Syria day after day building the capacity of government and non-governmental organizations to better plan, implement and evaluate their projects. Skilled and high-caliber UNV Volunteer have given assistance in the various community development activities carried out by the UN system, the Government, NGOs, bilateral donors and the private sector.
Syria's rich culture and diversity, along with its strategic position in the Middle East, provides remarkable potential for the support provided by UNV Volunteers to be helpful. The scope of available resources for volunteer actions and project activities in which UNV Volunteers can play a pivotal role is unlimited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US:
Ms. Signe Ejerskov, UNV Programme Officer
( signe.ejerskov@undp.org)
Ms. Hadbaa’a al-Orabi, Country Operations Assistant
(Hadbaa.al-orabi@undp.org)
Mr. Amer Atassi, UNV Program / Admin Assistant
(amer.atassi@undp.org)
MATTERS OF FACT
• 71 UNV volunteers serving in Syria
• 66 National Volunteers and 5 Internationals
• 5,382 UN Volunteers serving worldwide
• First International UNV recruited on April 10th, 1979
• First National UNV recruited on February 15th, 1996
• First UNV Programme Officer appointed in May 2004
• Second UNV Programme Officer appointed in Jan 2007
• Gender: Males 36 (51%) and Females 35 (49%)
•UN Agencies that have been recruiting UNV volunteers: UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, and UNICEF.
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