It is unique within the UN family and as an international volunteer undertaking. There are close to 5,000 qualified and experienced women and men of over 150 nationalities annually serving in developing countries as volunteer specialists and field workers. Since 1971, more than 20,000 UN Volunteers from some 150 developing and industrialized nations have worked in about 140 countries. Currently, nearly 70 per cent are citizens of developing countries while the remaining 30 per cent come from the industrialized world. They are professionals who work on a peer basis.
Volunteers also share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.
Agriculture, health and education feature prominently, as do human rights promotion, information and communication technology, community development, vocational training, industry and population. Over the years, they have served in about 140 countries. Half work outside capital cities, frequently in remote towns and villages. This is in response to expressed needs, and it reflects the commitment which volunteers bring. Included here are the field workers serving at the grassroots level in Asia, the Pacific and Africa.