A United Nations volunteer is set to join STEP in early August to help the programme implement its communication and visibility plan. Ms. Jacqueline Mpeni, a Malawi national, brings with her an interesting mix of skills including recent experience in community radio. Having worked in a rural environment, she understands the challenges young people in that environment face. She is looking forward to working in STEP to make such young people aware of the opportunities available to them through technical, entrepreneurial and vocational training.

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) places national and international volunteers in Malawi and other countries in response to requests from various Government and non-Governmental agencies. UNESCO and UNV signed an agreement earlier this year to facilitate placement of UN volunteers with UNESCO. The Skills and Technical Education Programme (STEP) in Malawi is managed in part by UNESCO with funding from the European Union.