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Voices for peace

Though conflict, violence, and division cast a long shadow, a powerful counter-movement is rising. Across the world, people are refusing to be defined by hate, choosing instead to become architects of peace. They are demanding a future that is brighter, fairer and more meaningful for everyone—regardless of race, identity or origin.

These are the stories of those who dare to shape the world. Students, survivors, community leaders, activists, even neighbours—ordinary people with extraordinary courage. They are the changemakers, the peacebuilders, the ones who refuse to let violence have the final word. Their stories will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you that even the gentlest touch can send ripples of change across the world.

Can art inspire social change? “Art is culture and culture brings people together,” says Cypriot street artist Ramadan Naldjioglou who collaborated with one of the UN peacekeeping operations to harness street art to address social issues. Local artists and peacekeepers from operations in Kosovo, Cyprus, Abyei, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo come together to create murals focusing on issues that matter to their communities, including empowering youth, and fighting misinformation and gender-based violence.

Local communities in the heart of the Congo Basin forest show great courage and strength in the face of multiple crises and a changing environment.

In Ukraine, more than two years of war has polluted the country’s air, soil and water. Climate action begins with restoring our connection with nature, says Diana Popfalushi.

We had to fight for peace—reflects Suraida ‘Sur’ Amil, a former combatant turned peace facilitator determined to end gender-based violence and violent extremism in her community.

Guatemala: Empowering women peace makers

A peacebuilding project invests in indigenous communities’ education on conflict resolution, empowering many women to access leadership positions within their governance structures.

Sierra Leone: Improving women’s access to water

In Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, where conflict over water resources has escalated, learn how women are leading change with water kiosks equipped with solar purification systems.

Community empowerment, climate resilience and peacebuilding are helping to address decades of inter-communal violence in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

A mostly volunteer-run shelter in Artibonite, in Haiti, an area marred by rising levels of violence, becomes a beacon of hope for survivors of gender-based violence.

Somalia: Women's leadership for peace

In a society dominated by male-centric clan dynamics, Somali women are pushing for change by bridging divisions and fostering dialogue within the clan system.

What endures when bombs fall?

Volunteering under fire isn't about wearing a badge—it's about grabbing a bag at 3 a.m. and choosing to help a neighbor. UN Volunteer's Yeran Kejijian reveals how people in Lebanon are providing a critical lifeline, proving that even when infrastructure collapses, solidarity endures.

When silence breaks and human rights become personal

How do global human rights frameworks translate into everyday peace and security? For Pierre Yvan Miharisoa, a UN Volunteer working on human rights in Madagascar, it starts by listening. Explore how his grassroots work with local authorities, women's associations, and young human rights defenders is strengthening access to justice and proving that lasting change often begins with a single person deciding to speak.

After 13 years of conflict, people in Syria continue to need support beyond their day-to-day survival, including Ayoush, a farmer and single mother in Idleb.

After years of being internally displaced, a family in Sri Lanka returns home, determined to create a better life through innovation and entrepreneurship - one cement brick at a time.

Irene Cari, an indigenous activist, is a leading voice in the fight against racist sexual violence and femicide. Her association offers crucial support to women and girls experiencing various forms of abuse, including sexual abuse.

The tragic murder of his sister in 2023 by her husband became a catalyst for Aitbek Amangeldi. Driven by this devastating loss, he founded an initiative dedicated to supporting survivors of gender-based violence.

From Kosovo to the Gambia, changemakers like Nevena Đoković and Bakary Sonko are demonstrating the power of community-led solutions through climate-resilient agriculture, cultivating hope in communities facing environmental hardship.

"No circumstances will extinguish the lifeline of hope for our young people," says Sara Al Shamali, an aid volunteer in Gaza who is risking her own safety to help others caught in the same conflict. Discover her story of resilience and courage.

What are the root causes of conflict? - A volunteer’s voice from Ecuador

"Strengthening peace is a prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive development," says Noémie Dreux, a UN Volunteer working on conflict and violence prevention in Ecuador, where overcoming the historical marginalization of Indigenous communities is essential for the country's future.

In war-ravaged Sudan, where aid organizations struggle to operate, Hanin Ahmed, Muhammad Al-Ebaid,and AbuZar Othman have become beacons of hope, providing lifesaving emergency medical response, in the face of immense challenges.

No one should be hibakusha in our future – A young leader's mission for a world without nuclear weapons

Suzuka Nakamura, a peace entrepreneur, is on a mission to preserve the legacy of atomic bomb survivors. Born and raised in Nagasaki, Japan, and as the granddaughter of a hibakusha, she is developing a mobile museum to share the vital stories of survival, resilience, and peace with communities worldwide.

"I believe education is the most powerful weapon to change the world," says Maimouna Ba who is helping to transform the lives of displaced children and women through education.

Why the hardest duty stations are worth it – a UN Volunteer's story

For Natalia Peshkova, being a UN Volunteer is more than a job - it’s a commitment "to make a difference where it's needed most." From the Central African Republic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, her story is a powerful reminder of what hope and resilience look like in action.

In an act of kindness, Aly Guindo not only offer shelter to displaced families—he also shared his land, helping them rebuild their lives through sustainable farming.

Justice without borders: A UN Volunteer's story

Human rights aren't optional, they're everyone's responsibility - for Miina Huotari, these aren't just words; they are the foundation of her daily work. As a UN Volunteer in Guatemala, she works at the intersection of research and advocacy to tackle discrimination and inequality.

Making today matter in Za'atari refugee camp - UN Volunteer with UNICEF in Jordan

For children who have only known displacement in Za'atari Refugee Camp, UN Volunteer Jana Abbas is focused on transforming their reality one day at a time. Serving with UNICEF Jordan, she works to ensure vital safe spaces offer learning support, protection, and a sense of normalcy.

No capes, just courage: A volunteer's voice from Chișinău

The people, the stories, and the strength of those who have lost everything are what drive her work, says UN Volunteer Sára Sívková, serving on the humanitarian frontlines protecting refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

After fleeing violence and famine, Halima and other Sudanese women are finding strength in their fields again. With shared seeds, tools, and trust, they are cultivating not just food but peace, dignity and belonging.

At the Iran–Afghanistan border, a doctor treats exhausted families returning home after years of uncertainty. Her compassion and perseverance are a reminder that healing is also an act of peace.

Brewing peace: Former combatants transform Colombia’s coffee industry

In the quiet hills of Huila, coffee farms led by former combatants are becoming symbols of peace, resilience, and reconciliation in a region scarred by decades of conflict.

After ten years of violence, displacement and immense suffering under the Islamic State, Iraqis are fighting to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. From Sinjar to Mosul, here are their stories of hope and courage.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees return home following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, looking towards rebuilding a country after more than a decade of war and uncertainty.

Globally, one in three women experience violence in their lifetime. Meet Rolyn who works as a team leader at a local crisis centre for women and girls facing gender-based violence in a country where the prevalence of violence against women is even greater.

When silence breaks and human rights become personal

How do global human rights frameworks translate into everyday peace and security? For Pierre Yvan Miharisoa, a UN Volunteer working on human rights in Madagascar, it starts by listening. Explore how his grassroots work with local authorities, women’s associations, and young human rights defenders is strengthening access to justice and proving that lasting change often begins with a single person deciding to speak.

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Voices for peace

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