olunteers - Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit

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D l V I t ,
á l è I Bundesminisleritim für
^ F I wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeil
und Eniwicklung
^ % I ^ W Deutsche GeseUschaft
i j l , # _ f^r Internationale
^ M I J M H Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
I
olunteers
inspiration in action
Zukunftsentwickler. Wir machen Zukunft. Machen Sie mit. Memorandum of Understanding
between
the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal
Republic of Germany,
the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH
and
the United Nations Volunteers programme
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal
Republic of Germany, hereinafter referred to as "BMZ", the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, hereinafter referred to as "GIZ", and the
United Nations Volunteers programme, hereinafter referred to as "UNV" and
hereinafter jointly referred to as "the Parties",
- recognize the importance of volunteerism in development cooperation and its
contribution to respond more effectively to pressing global environmental, social,
economic and political challenges,
- intend to support international cooperation for sustainable human development
and peace through volunteerism,
- recognize the existing solid and broad range of cooperation between BMZ and
UNV as well as between GIZ and UNV (based on the preceding long-standing and
successful cooperation with the former Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED)
gGmbH).
- consider the expanding and broadening of the partnership between UNV, BMZ
and GIZ, and with other German development actors,
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- are dedicated to overcome fragmentation and to strengthen coordination and
collaboration within the UN as well as between the various development partners
with UNV as the UN organization providing UN Volunteers to the entire UN
system,
- feet encouraged by the achievements of collaboration particularly in the past few
years based on shared values, common goats and mutual understanding,
- aim to develop a strategic reinforcement of the cooperation, suggesting
recommendations to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and
setting an agenda for the future cooperation of the Participants,
- take into account results of discussions and consultations over the last two years
through regular meetings, joint workshops and project presentations, and
- emphasize the role of UNDP's Executive Board as UNV's governing body,
providing intergovernmental support and oversight to the organization, in
accordance with the overall policy guidance of the United Nations General
Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree to cooperate as follows:
I.
Background and Purpose of the Collaboration
UNV is the UN organization that supports global peace and sustainable human
development through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of
volunteers. UNV enhances opportunities for engagement and action in peace and
development by all peoples through volunteering, including and not limited to.
participation in the development and implementation of UN programmes and
projects.
UNV has evolved greatly over the past 42 years in terms of the size and spread of its
mandate, results and activities, driven by the changing external environment for
development and peace, by the wider acknowledgment of the role of volunteerism
globally and by intergovernmental legislation. Executive Board decision 2006/18
confirmed UNV's business model: (i) mobilizing volunteers, increasing diversity,
including online volunteers through the UNV Online Volunteering service, to enable
more people to be directly involved in the humanitarian, peace-building and post­
conflict recovery as well as sustainable development and poverty eradication work of
the UN; (ii) advocating for volunteerism and civic engagement in peace and
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development; and (iii) pursuing the integration of volunteerism across policy,
legislation and programming as well as delivering on internationally-agreed
development goals.
Volunteering is an important value grounded in German society. The Government of
Germany is supporting volunteerism and civic engagement through strengthening of
civil society at national and global level, such as during the tenth anniversary of the
International Year of Volunteers in 2011 (lYV+10). The Government of Germany
actively supports volunteering and its different features in international fora as well as
its link to the private sector. BMZ is supporting volunteerism in the UN based on the
BMZ's strategy on strengthening civil society participation and volunteerism in
development. The existing partnership between UNV and BMZ is based on strong
support from the Government of Germany and covers a broad range of cooperation
areas with an increased level of engagement in recent years.
The partnership between GIZ and UNV currently focuses on the joint recruitment of
UN Volunteers placed with UN entities worldwide. In addition, GIZ and UNV intend to
actively explore further synergies for mutual cooperation in the near future.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), BMZ, UNV and GIZ aim to
solidify their strengthened relationship and consolidate a long-term partnership to
support volunteering, also engaging other German development actors. The Parties
intend to advance their strategic partnership to contribute to peace and development,
in particular to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
the future post'2015 development framework.
The purpose of this MoU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate
collaboration between the Parties, on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of mutual
interest
II.
Focus Areas of Cooperation
The existing partnership covers a wide range of cooperation areas including BMZ's
core contribution to UNV, as well as support for and collaboration in specific
programmes. The Parties plan to cooperate with interested joint partners both at the
bilateral and multilateral level, in particular with German development actors such as
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Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). BMZ and UNV will also discuss to identify
further opportunities for partnering with German civil society, private sector and
academia.
The past and existing cooperation described below serve as examples of how the
parties would like to cooperate. Therefore, they serve as the basis for continued and
enhanced cooperation in the future. Existing and possible future cooperation include
the following areas:
1. Programmatic cooperation
Core and non-core funding: The Government of Germany is a key financial donor
in terms of core (UNV Special Voluntary Fund) and non-core contributions to UNV.
This includes support through cost-sharing for UNV corporate priority projects and
initiatives, such as, in recent years, the "Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future"
programme and UNDP/UNV's Youth Volunteer Trust Fund (YTF). The YTF was
established in 2012 in response to the request to UNV in the implementation of the
UN Secretary General's Five Year Action Agenda, recognizing the enormous
potential of young people to contribute positively to their societies. Another example
is Germany's strong support, as one of the key partners, in marking the tenth
anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers in 2011 (IYV+10), including UNV's
flagship "State of the World's Volunteerism Report".
Funding of UN Volunteer assignments: The cooperation also covers the full
funding of UN Volunteer assignments in partnership with GIZ (UNV Interns and
Specialists). Since the 1970s, the former Deutsche Entwicklungsdienst (DED)
gGmbH (German Development Service) cooperated with UNV to fund UN Volunteer
assignments for strategic placements in UN peace and sustainable development
projects for German/EU nationals. With the merging of DED, InWEnt and GTZ into
GIZ in 2011, the Parties involved jointly decided to use the given opportunity to
create a more strategic and structured alignment of future cooperation. As a result,
an agreement was signed between UNV and GIZ on December 5, 2012 to formalize
this new partnership as a pilot, with the intention to further develop and strengthen
this collaboration and achieve synergies on the ground. Since the end of 2012, BMZ
through GIZ funded fifteen UNV Interns, who will be called UN Youth Volunteers in
the future, (to leverage youth voices for post-2015 national outreach activities) and
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more than ten fully-funded UN Volunteer Specialists including from the South. The
results of this pilot will be reviewed in September 2013 with the intention to continue
the cooperation if results are positive. Ways will be explored by BMZ, UNV and GIZ
to further develop cooperation at the national level to find synergies with the German
Technical Cooperation.
To achieve the common goals, BMZ will continue to contribute to UNV core and non­
core resources to support development and peace programmes of UNV and its core
mandate within the UN system, subject to the availability of funds and in accordance
with the relevant German laws and regulations.
Cooperation on the ground: BMZ and UNV also strive to enhance the collaboration
at global and regional level and in the partner countries of German bilateral
development cooperation in areas of common strategic priorities. Concrete
possibilities will be explored to create synergies between bilateral and multilateral
development cooperation at the global, regional and country level, also in terms of
complementarity of approaches and programmes, and in dialogue with other
development partners in the field.
Other areas of possible collaboration include international agenda setting, knowledge
sharing and training and learning.
2. Political support
In particular through its participation in the UNDP Executive Board in recent years,
the Government of Germany acts as a key partner for UNV in strengthening the role
of volunteerism in the international development discourse. Germany also supported
key processes and consultations on legitimacy through UN resolutions and other key
documents at the UN General Assembly. Besides the regular exchange between
UNV and BMZ in Bonn and Berlin, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in
New York and UNV are also in regular contact for consultations and exchange of
information on relevant matters.
Germany has also been actively participating in the consultations of UNV's Strategic
Framework (2014-17), which is being developed under the umbrella of the UNDP
Strategic Plan 2014-17, to elaborate results to be delivered by UNV during this
period. BMZ will continue to support the UNV Strategic Framework and its
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implementation. The Framework generates a concrete focus on UNV's efficiency and
effectiveness in achieving organizational results, including leveraging and expanding
the knowledge base on the role and impact of volunteering in transformational global
change, and supporting development results through volunteers assigned with UNV's
various partner UN organizations.
3. Advocacy and outreach for UNV and volunteerism at global level and In
Germany
In 2011, BMZ and UNV closely cooperated in several international events. Jointly
with the Federal Foreign Office and the City of Bonn, the 64th Annual UN Conference
for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) associated with the UN Department of
Public Information "Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens" (3-5 September
2011) was organized in Bonn with more than 1300 delegates. The NGO Final
Declaration included a set of coherent recommendations. This document was
submitted to the UNGA by the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in New York
and was adopted as official UNGA document in advance of and during Rio+20
discussions. During the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio in June
2012, a joint visit to a UN-Habitat/UNV project was organized with highest level of
participation of UNV, BMZ and UN-Habitat. BMZ also supported several events to
raise awareness and promote lYV+10, including side events at the UN General
Assembly. In March 2013, BMZ and UNV jointly presented the 2013 UNDP Human
Development Report in Germany, at a launch event in Berlin, organized by the United
Nations Association in Germany.
BMZ and UNV will pursue this strengthened partnership to raise awareness and
advocate for volunteerism for sustainable development and peace through joint
events and efforts to mobilize key stakeholders, including the public. The Parties will
also look into the possibility to organizing joint seminars, workshops and technical
training in fields of mutual interest.
The Parties will further discuss possible synergies in the area of support and
promotion of volunteerism and civic engagement in development cooperation in
Germany and worldwide, in particular sharing networks and information as well as
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joint
outreach with
Engagement
Global, specifically
weltwärts and Ziviler
Friedensdienst (Civil Peace Service - ZFD), in Germany and partner countries.
Engagement Global, under the guidance of BMZ, is promoting the idea of
volunteerism in general and is supporting volunteer work in development through a
wide range of programmes. The Information Desk on Civic Engagement within
Engagement Global is actively informing interested volunteers about possibilities to
engage, including with UNV (as UN Volunteers and online volunteers) and is taking
part in the activities at United Nations Day in Bonn. BMZ will support further
engagement between Engagement Global and UNV.
4. The United Nations in Bonn
Currently, more than 20 UN entities are located in Germany, with the majority hosted
by the Government of Germany in the UN Campus in Bonn, Designated by the UN
Secretary General as the United Nations representative for managing the occupancy
and use of the United Nations Premises in Bonn, the UNDP Administrator has
delegated to the Executive Coordinator of UNV the responsibility of coordinating the
daily management of the premises, as well as liaising with the Government of
Germany on related matters. The UN Secretary General has also designated to the
UNV Executive Coordinator the responsibilities as the UN Designated Official for
Security in Germany.
IV.
Consultation and Exchange of Information
1.
The Parties shall, on a regular basis, keep each other informed of and consult
on matters of common interest, which, in their opinion, are likely to lead to mutual
collaboration.
2.
Consultation and exchange of information and documents shall be without
prejudice to arrangements which may be required to safeguard the confidential and
restricted character of certain information and documents.
3.
The Parties shall at such intervals as deemed appropriate convene meetings
to review the progress of activities being carried out under the present MoU and to
plan future activities.
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4.
The Parties may invite each other to send observers to meetings or
conferences convened by them or under their auspices in which, in the opinion of
either party, the other may have an interest. Invitations shall be subject to the
procedures applicable to such meetings or conferences.
5. BMZ, UNV and GIZ intend to hold one annual partnership meeting to jointly
discuss the implementation process of the MoU and to further develop and
strengthen this partnership, as well as high level and technical meetings, when
relevant.
6. BMZ and UNV will regularly exchange views on the content and focus of the
partnership and the structure of non-financial and financial contributions, including
through the JPO modality.
V.
General Provisions
This MoU does not create any legally-binding obligations. All activities undertaken
pursuant to this MoU are subject to the applicable rules and regulations of each
party, as well as the availability of appropriated funds, personnel, and other
resources. Any funds received and any activities undertaken by UNV hereunder or
further to this MoU shall be in accordance with UNV's regulations, rules, policies and
procedures.
VI.
Entry Into Effect and Amendments
This MoU will come into effect on the date of its signature by the authorized
representatives of BMZ, UNV and GIZ. The MoU will remain in effect unless
temninated by mutual consent. Any Party can end its cooperation at any time. It
should inform the other Parties in writing at least twelve months beforehand. UNV
and BMZ will update the MoU when relevant and in a consultative manner.
VII.
Visibility
The parties recognize that this MoU should be publicized and therefore jointly decide
to acknowledge the role and contribution of each organization in all public information
documentation relating to instances of this cooperation and use each organization's
name and emblem in documentation related to the cooperation in accordance with
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the current policies of each organization and subject to prior written agreement of
each party.
VIII.
Notices and Addresses
Any notice or request required or permitted to be given or made under this MoU shall
be in writing. Such notice or request shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made when it shall have been delivered by hand or mail to the party to which it is
required to be given or made at the address specified below or such other address as
shall be hereafter notified.
For UNV:
Marco van der Ree, Chief, Partnerships Section
Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10
53113 Bonn
Email: [email protected]
For BMZ:
Simon Koppers, Head, UN Division
Dahlmannstraße 4
53113 Bonn
Email: [email protected]
For GIZ:
Klaus-Dieter Seidel, Director, GIZ Development Service
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40
53113 Bonn
Email: klaus-díeter.seidel@gíz.de
Signed in Bonn, 28 June 2013
l\y\
J^
^ Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz
State Secretary, BMZ
Cornelia Richter
Managing Director, GIZ
Richard Dictus
Executive Coordinator, UNV
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