Beijing, China: China is drafting a law to clearly define the rights and obligations of volunteers in a move to encourage more people to donate their time and skills, said an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Tuesday, International Volunteer Day.  Read article

Bonn, Germany: Every year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and its Online Volunteering (OV) service honour ten exceptional women and men who have made an exemplary impact on human development by sharing their expertise over the Internet and by demonstrating their commitment to volunteering. The winners of the “Online Volunteer of the Year” award for 2006 were announced today.   Read article

Bonn, Germany: Every year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and its Online Volunteering (OV) service honour ten exceptional women and men who have made an exemplary impact on human development by sharing their expertise over the Internet and by demonstrating their commitment to volunteering. The winners of the “Online Volunteer of the Year” award for 2006 were announced today.   Read article

Washington, USA: The number of Americans who volunteer to mentor students, beautify neighborhoods and pitch in after disasters is at a 30-year high, fueled in part by a boom in teen participation, a new study says.  Read article

Accra, Ghana: The Millennium Development Goals could “only be achieved in Ghana if people are prepared to sacrifice and contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation” Mike Ajdei, the Special Aide to the President, said at the official launch of International Volunteer Day and Coalition of Voluntary Organizations in Ghana.  Read article

Shanghai, China: China's first helpline specifically for lesbians will begin taking calls this weekend, organizers said Wednesday, in a sign of growing awareness of issues facing gay women in China's commercial center.  Read article

Chiengi District, Zambia: Zambia has mobilized volunteers to help the Luapula provincial health administration curb cholera cases that have risen to 105 and left 5 dead in Chiengi District of the province, Times of Zambia reported on Tuesday.  Read article

Napoca, Romania: Initially, Habitat assigned volunteers to build simple housing in hard-up places.  But lately, it has teamed up with multinationals seeking Corporate Social Responsibility credentials, who send their employees and also pay for the privilege.  Read article

Lonavla, India: With the help of more than 2,000 volunteers from around the world, former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn are leading the annual Habitat for Humanity Project to provide houses to 100 families in India.   Read article

Wellington, New Zealand: The "International Volunteer Manager" award was launched yesterday by the Australasian Association of Volunteer Administrators to recognize volunteer managers' professionalism and their outstanding contribution to promoting volunteerism.  Read article