Knowledge Base for Volunteers in ICT4D 

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Global

The United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS) is a global volunteer initiative to help bridge the digital divide, led by the UN Volunteers programme. UNITeS both supports volunteers applying information and communications technologies for development (ICT4D) and promotes volunteerism as a fundamental element of successful ICT4D initiatives. What makes the UNITeS initiative unique among ICT volunteering initiatives is a combination of the following attributes and characteristics:
o This initiative serves all volunteers engaged in ICT4D, not only those directly related to UNV or other United Nations programs. It promotes the involvement volunteers from ANY organization, as well as local volunteers, as fundamental to successful ICT4D efforts.
o UNITeS is focused on the capacity-building dimension of the digital divide. It does not promote the involvement of volunteers to take on ICT tasks that do not ALSO have a capacity-building element.
o UNITeS is a coalition of organizations and global "infomediary" regarding volunteers and ICT4D, such as through its online knowledge base/network. UNITeS does not place volunteers on its own, and it does not implement projects outright.
o There is emphasis on South-South volunteer assignments and the involvement of online volunteers, whenever appropriate.