As Indonesia celebrates Ramadan, Valerie Julliand, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country, and Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers, explain why volunteerism encapsulates the generosity and compassion of the Muslim holy month.
A devastating surge in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks in New York City, the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted United Nations staff to stand in solidarity with their host city, by stepping up support for healthcare workers and others on the front line.
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“Volunteering” is contagious in a positive way according to a representative from a Kenya based organisation, who attended a UN-supported conference on volunteering, recently held in Mexico.
According to the UN, more than one billion people globally offer their time and experience for free every year.
Volunteerism is seen as a powerful means of tackling development challenges across the world.
Pierre-Marc Rene has been speaking to Fredrick Sabia.
Duration: 3’34”
Volunteerism is a basic form of “social expression” and should be open to anyone who wants to contribute to the social good.
That’s according to Geoffrey Prewitt, the Chief of Development Programming at UN Volunteers (UNV).
Globally, there are around 7000 UNVs, as they are known, working in approximately 130 countries.
Providing free healthy meals to the elderly might seem like a small step but it allows them to stay in their homes longer, thus enhancing their autonomy and, ultimately, their freedom.
That’s the opinion of Jose Luis Sanchez, a manager at Citymeals on Wheels, which ensures that homebound senior citizens in New York City never lack food or human company.
United Nations staff volunteered with the organization this Monday in observance of Nelson Mandela International Day.