Volunteerism is considered a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and a crucial renewable resource for social and environmental problem-solving throughout the world.

General Assembly resolution A/Res/56/38 asked the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme to provide technical cooperation in the field of volunteerism to realize its potential as a resource for attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). 

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Cairo, Egypt: The Junior Handball World Championship will be held in Egypt in August 2009, and the Egyptian Handball Federation needs volunteers (males and females between the age of 17 and 30 years) with proficiency in English, French or German plus Arabic to escort the participating teams during their stay in Egypt. View event

Cairo, Egypt: In Egypt, as well as the spectacular 'Sailing the Nile' central event, there were a host of other IVD activities tackling different aspects of the Millennium Development Goals with a special emphasis on raising awareness among youth. Read

Cairo, Egypt: The Sailing the Nile for the Millennium Development Goals Campaign 2008 reached its final destination in Cairo on 13 December 2008. The closing event also celebrated International Volunteer Day  and International Human Rights Day. Read

Cairo, Egypt: UNV is organizing a 'Clean the Nile Day' and a football match, in collaboration with Al Ahly Sporting Club, in order to raise awareness about the MDGs and volunteerism. View event

HANDS is an American 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is committed to building bridges between the people of Egypt and the US. In addition to its programmes of exchange and dialogue, HANDS also supports projects aimed at bringing socioeconomic stability to Egyptian communities. Visit site

Al Awaysa, Egypt: There are still many impoverished Egyptians needing medical attention and Egyptian medical professionals desiring better training and knowledge. HANDS staff member, Ivana Smucker, writes about Medical Mission 2008. Read

Alexandria, Egypt: The 2008 edition of 'Sailing the Nile for the Millennium Development Goals' combines three different means of transport (feluccas, ICT bus and a train), as opposed to only feluccas. The campaign will continue for two months ending on 13 December, conducting awareness-raising activities promoting volunteerism for the MDGs in seven more governorates across Egypt, namely, Aswan, Qena, Sohag, Assyut, Menia, Beni Suef, Cairo, in addition to the city of Luxor. Read

Cairo, Egypt: Young Egyptians are identifying creative means of engaging themselves in the development process, and activities supported by UNV build on Egypt's existing volunteering and civic participation potential. Read

“Midwife Bahga, I will never forget how I have suffered and still do," said 13-year old Mehad, “I underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) at your hands.”  Addressing an awareness-raising session at a girls’ school, Midwife Bahga confessed, “I did not do this out of ill will, but out of ignorance.”  FGM is a fundamental violation of human rights that causes severe pain, trauma, sexual dysfunction, birth and other health complications.  Around 89% of women in the Sudan are affected by FGM. Read