Each year, the UN System in Kenya selects an individual or institution whose initiative has not attracted a great deal of publicity to them, but is involved in a sector where the UN system of organizations is also a player, who has succeeded in bringing to public notice significant issues related to the Millennium Development Goals, and whose achievements are sustainable and serve as an inspiration to all Kenyans.

The selection of the “UN in Kenya Person of the Year” is made after an extensive round of consultations and voting by all members of the UN Communications Group, whose decision is to be endorsement by the heads of UN Agencies.

This year's winner of the Person of the Year prize was Henry Kiprono Kirwa.  He is a Kenyan Paralympics champion in 10,000-, 5,000- and 1,500-metre running competitions.  He has been making efforts to fight poverty using sports despite his disability.

He was born virtually impaired in Kapsabet in the Rift Valley Province. In spite of this, he has demonstrated that disability is not inability and that through sports, youth can break away from poverty. Mr. Henry won three gold medals at the 2008 Paralympics held in Beijing, China, soon after the Olympics games.

His success is a result of hard work and perseverance, which have  helped him to become and endearing to the youth who are encouraged and many are already emulating him by working hard to succeed like him.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow in cooperation with the Office of the Resident Coordinator, the Herzen State Pedagogical University and the St. Petersburg City Government's Social Affairs Department launched a survey on the situation of people with disabilities in Russia at the event hosted by the Herzen University in St. Petersburg on 6 August 2009. UNIC Moscow also translated into Russian a backgrounder, "Disability pact provides road map to improve lives of millions". UNIC Director and the Librarian went to St. Petersburg to participate in the event.
The analytical overview "Russia: on the Path to Equal Opportunities" was produced on the UN Country Team's initiative in cooperation with a group of independent national experts.
The attendance was very good at the summer holiday period - more than 60 persons, including city government officials, experts, human rights activists, and persons with disabilities.  A high degree of interest was caused by the presence, thanks to the UN' involvement, of renowned experts, Mr. Evgueny Gontmakher, the leader of the group, that produced the report, and Ms. Helene Shatalova, researcher of the Academic institute for economic studies. On behalf of the UN Country Team, Mr. Dirk Hebecker, Senior Human Rights Adviser, made introductory remarks. Mr. Alexandre Gorelik, UNIC Director, spoke about the latest developments in the E-accessibility issue.
 About fifteen participants made comments during the presentation. Some of them provided a valuable update on the trends and practices in Russia's "Northern capital", others focused on original local legislative measures and initiatives to further explore, several attendants concentrated on inclusion as a promising form of an enabling education. 
Several specific proposals have been put forward, including the ideas to adopt a federal law focused on persons with special needs or to set up an additional Ombudsman Office for the disabled in this country.  The event was deemed a success by the UN visiting team as well as by the local partners.

The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) organized and hosted a roundtable discussion with local volunteer based organizations at the UN House. 

The topic of discussion has been volunteerism in Armenia and the establishment of a Network of Volunteers Involving Organizations (VIOs) to improve inter-agency coordination and avoid wasteful duplication of efforts.
Participant organizations, nationally known for the number of volunteers involved and the impact of their contribution to development, were Aquatics Armenia, Armenian Caritas, Armenian Red Cross Society, the United Nations Association of Armenia (AUNA), the Civil Society Institute (CSI), Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), the Republican Headquarters of Student Brigades (HUJ), Mission Armenia, Professionals for Civil Society (PFSC), Armenian Association for the Disabled (PYUNIC), The United Nations Department of Public Information (UN DPI) and the US Peace Corps.

“The purpose of these roundtable discussions is to not only introduce NGOs to each other, but to also share information, ideas, coordinate action, and organize general support at national level” said Sara Sangoi, UNV Program Officer.

The importance of volunteers and their contribution to development has been underlined through one training on volunteers’ management offered to all participants in collaboration with the Armenian Red Cross.  From this point on, discussion on topics of common interest started, such as the importance of volunteers for service delivery and NGO’s advocacy, and the resources that should and need to be planned for supporting volunteers. 

Concerns arisen on lack of legislation on volunteerism in Armenia, which make it difficult for NGOs to understand exactly how to protect and deal with volunteers.
Armenian collaboration with Azerbaijan and Georgia was also a key topic of discussion.  Though there is slow progress in communication between the governments of the three countries, specifically between Armenia and Azerbaijan, alliances between NGOs from these countries have demonstrating being successfully, and suggested to be promoted.

The network of NGOs decided to meet once a month to discuss various topics of concern, e.g. the launching of a National Survey on Volunteerism undertaken in collaboration with UNDP/UNV Bratislava.  Each meeting will be held at the offices of another of the participant NGOs. Suggestion has been given to encourage cooperation with NGOs in the regions.

“This is a start to not only improving and expanding on the network of NGOs, but also to continue the dialogue on volunteerism and the importance of it in Armenia” stated Sangoi.

UNV was present in Armenia since August 2008 upon the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) request, at the UNDP premises. UNV renders its services at the UN Country Team level, advising on volunteerism and UNV’s distinctive contributions to development.

On 22 May 2009, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow, together with KRUG, the regional non-governmental organization (NGO) for social rehabilitation of children and youth with disabilities, organized a roundtable with partners from civil society, government agencies and the media on building cultural capacities of persons with disabilities.
 
More then 50 participants discussed forms of practical experience of supporting the creativity of people with special development needs and dealing with their social and cultural rehabilitation.