Lebanon

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

UNV is the volunteer arm of the UN System, which extends hands-on assistance for sustainable human development in 140 countries. Created by the UN General Assembly in 1970 and administered by UNDP, UNV works through UNDP Country Offices to promote and mobilize qualified UN Volunteers and encourages people to become active in volunteering in their countries. Some 7,000 qualified and experienced women and men of nearly 160 nationalities serve each year in developing countries as UN Volunteers . Since 1970, more than 30,000 UNV representing 160 nationalities have worked in 140 countries.

UN Volunteers Mission Statement
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.

Work Fields
The UNV programme involves a wide spread of sectors: it maintains a roster covering 115 professional categories. Agriculture, Health and Education feature prominently, as do Human Rights Promotion, Information and Communication Technology, Community Development, Vocational Training, Industry and Population.

Work Nature
They work in technical cooperation with governments, with community-based initiatives, in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation and in support of human rights, electoral and peace-building processes. They are professionals who work on a peer basis. They listen and discuss; teach and train; encourage and facilitate. Volunteers as well share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.