The United Nations is powered by people—especially the thousands of volunteers who show up, speak out, and serve. Whether building peace, defending rights, or delivering care, volunteers face tough missions, hidden challenges, and unexpected setbacks. But one thing never changes: their commitment, solidarity and compassion. Eighty years on, the United Nations remains a force for peace and progress, and today, on United Nations Day, we share six stories of volunteers who lend a listening ear and deliver life-saving aid, breathing life into the words: inspiration in action.
Andrii Nahornyi turns complex data into powerful maps to help cities thrive
With a degree in Geomatics, Andrii joined the UNDP’s City Experiment Fund as an Online Volunteer in 2025. Since then, he’s been helping cities across Europe and Central Asia reimagine urban life—one map at a time. His biggest challenge? Finding reliable, public geospatial data. But that hasn’t stopped him. After hours of digging and analyzing, Andrii has created over 50 detailed maps that help city leaders make smarter decisions. One of his favorites? A map of how people move around Pristina spotlighting where the city could do better. To him, volunteering isn’t just about giving time—it’s about sharing skills and building something meaningful together.
Areeg Abass on the frontlines of care
As a UN Volunteer serving as a Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health Officer with the World Health Organization in Port Sudan, Areeg draws on her medical expertise to support women and girls navigating immense challenges amidst one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises—one that has displaced over 10 million people. She supports health programmes and trains young people to prevent gender-based violence. She works together with the Ministry of Health to deliver lifesaving care during emergencies and raise awareness about issues like female genital mutilation. This volunteer assignment is not just a job. It’s Areeg's mission.
Christian Menin is building trust—and fighting crime
As an international UN Volunteer from Brazil, Christian is a Project Manager for Rule of Law and Security with the United Nations Development Programme in Guinea-Bissau. He works closely with police and justice officials and provides training to tackle organized crime, corruption, and money laundering. In some of the remote areas of the country, he’s helped install solar-powered systems so police can stay connected and serve their communities better. Christian has trained 400 young people during a 10-day prevention camp on drug prevention, a growing challenge in Guinea-Bissau. “These camps are one way to build resilience and encourage healthy choices,” he shares.
Didier Habimana is helping refugee youth find their voice
As a UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator with the United Nations Refugee Agency in Kenya, Didier listens first. Then he acts. Being a refugee himself, he designs programmes reflecting what refugee communities actually need, not just what others think they need. He leads youth forums where young refugees learn, mentor, and grow. In these spaces, they stop seeing themselves as victims—and start seeing themselves as leaders. For Didier, UN Day is about people. People who care. People who listen. His work gives refugee youth the tools to speak up, get training, secure funding, and shape decisions that affect their lives.
Noemi Mamani is fighting online violence with tech
As a UN Volunteer Digital Innovation Specialist with UN Women in Bolivia, Noemi uses her skills to protect women from harm—one algorithm at a time. With a background in economics and a passion for women’s rights, she sees technology not just as a tool, but as a tool for equality. She uses AI to detect and analyze hate speech on social media, helping enforce laws that shield women from abuse. Noemi believes tech can be a bridge—to education, to empowerment, to a future where women lead online and offline. She’s faced stereotypes that say women don’t “get” tech. But there's no stopping Noemi, “I am planting a seed for new actions in favour of women.” Now the momentum must continue.
Zahra Hussaini speaks up where others are silenced
From Bamyan—a city full of history but often quieted voices—Zahra started her volunteer journey with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to promote inclusion, stability and encourage women to participate in the peace process. During her two-year assignment, she ventured into conservative districts, navigating the complexities of Taliban rule. Following regime change in 2021, Zahra moved to Bangladesh as a Programme Support Officer with the United Nations Volunteers Field Unit. “Volunteers make a meaningful impact in the world,” she shared, “I'm proud to be part of a global community—more than a billion out there who make a difference to the bigger picture.”
For volunteers like Andrii, Areeg, Christian, Didier, Noemi, and Zahra, UN Day is a celebration of bold ideas, equality, and conviction that real change takes all of us. As the United Nations turns 80, we honour the spirit of volunteering that keeps its mission alive—stronger, braver, and more united than ever.
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