PR93281

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Serious development challenges – from climate emergencies to the COVID-19

pandemic have shown us that we need to change the way we live, work, and

cooperate. It is time for a global reset.

Increasing inequalities worldwide call for a new type of social contract with a

renewed emphasis on inclusion.

The latest State of the World's Volunteerism Report (SWVR) 'Building equal and

inclusive societies' explains that the participation of over a billion

volunteers worldwide is a way to shape a future that is brighter for all.

The flagship report of theUnited Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme (https://www.unv.org/ )

will be launched at the General Assembly of the United

Nations in New York today, live on UNWebTV (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3370690-1&h=2510477612&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.un.org%2Fen%2Fwebtv&a=UNWebTV).

The Report draws on case study research across all regions of the globe. From

Nepal to Peru, and Lebanon to Malawi- the way volunteers have an impact on

their communities comes to light. Through women's right groups and vaccine

assistance hot-lines, people not only help those in need but are voicing the

longer-term concerns of communities to their governments.

Every seventh person in the world is a volunteer. Despite the devastating

socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, global interest in volunteering in

communities has endured. People have continued to respond to the crisis in

significant ways, despite limited mobility and resources. While restrictions

have prevented many people from volunteering in person, many have switched to

volunteering online.

Volunteers are often seen as the doers and social service providers. However,

the SWVR provides fresh insights that links volunteerism to equality and

inclusiveness.

"In this new normal, it will be incredibly important for volunteers to be

regarded as essential partners right from the outset," says Gladys Mutukwa, a

73-year old volunteer from Zambia.

For multi-media assets go here (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3370690-1&h=139615398&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftrello.com%2Fb%2FMXkphT2K%2Fstate-of-the-worlds-volunteerism-report-2022&a=here)

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and

development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate

over 10,000 qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into

development programming and promote the value and global recognition of

volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP).

Source - United Nations Volunteers

CONTACT: Jennifer Stapper, UNV,  jennifer.stapper@unv.org