Shared Lives, Shared Future

Whether you live in a mountain village in Afghanistan or along the banks of the River Danube, in Estonia or Brazil - we are connected by common goals and challenges, and a mutual responsibility for our future.

The United Nations was founded on the belief that international cooperation can promote peace, advance rights and create opportunities for people everywhere. Today, this effort continues across the UN system and beyond – often in ways we might not expect.

The exhibition Shared Lives, Shared Future features stories from people around the world that illustrate the impact of the United Nations on our daily lives. The following testimonials highlight the work of the UN-Vienna based organizations and their partners - showing how cooperation, expertise and dedication can improve livelihoods.

The exhibition is based on submissions received through a global call. The featured images and texts are not intended to represent the countries they are from, nor do they necessarily reflect the UN's specific focus in those countries.

A physical exhibition was presented at the Vienna International Centre in May 2026 with the support of the Permanent Representation of Slovenia, UNIDO, UNCITRAL, ICPDR and UNIS Vienna.

The global exhibit was organized by the UN Department of Global Communications, led by its 59 UN Information Centres, together with the Permanent Missions of Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland in New York.

Photo: UNIDO

Asna

Businesswoman

Comoros

"The UN listened to our business needs and coached us to improve our operations. Their support helped us achieve our goals and make our dreams a reality."

Their support helped us achieve our goals and make our dreams a reality." The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) supports women-led agribusinesses in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with production processes, business planning and market access. With help from UNIDO and partners in Comoros, Asna strengthened her enterprise, improved product quality, and created economic opportunities for her community.

Photo: UNODC/Abel Kavanagh

Zahoor

Farmer

Afghanistan

"With UN support, I transitioned from opium to cabbage farming. I received training in modern agriculture and was provided with pesticides to protect my crops."

With support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Zahoor and thousands of other Afghan farmers have transitioned from opium to legal farming, turning land into a source of hope and sustainable income. This is also helping to make the world safer from drugs.

Neli

Student

Armenia

"I dream of becoming a diplomat to help establish peace in the world. Thanks to UNFPA, I lead community projects empowering young girls. Our dreams are worth pursuing."

As a Girl Child Ambassador for a project supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Neli learned about leadership, advocacy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Now she educates other Armenian girls — passing on skills and confidence to shape their own futures.

Photo: UN Liberia

Nowai

Farmer

Liberia

"Thanks to the UN, we have peace, I can grow my crops and take care of my family."

The United Nations is supporting post-conflict Liberia. For 15 years after a UN-brokered ceasefire, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) helped usher in a new era of peace. Now, UN agencies support Nowai and other farmers with growing crops.

Photo: UN/Alexandra Szorc

Jerzy

Retiree

Poland

"My childhood was marred by World War II, but I thank the UN that I didn't experience war again."

Founded in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations is dedicated to international peace and security. Championing diplomacy, peace-building and humanitarian assistance, the UN stands for a world free from the horrors that marred Jerzy's childhood – and those of millions of others.

Photo: Jost Gantar

Blaž

Beekeper

Slovenia

"Beekeeping is more than honey. What truly matters is teaching future generations to protect the silent workers. By saving the bees, we safeguard our future, food, and life itself."

The United Nations promotes sustainable beekeeping by supporting regulatory frameworks, sharing best practices and raising awareness of bees' role in food security and biodiversity. In Slovenia and worldwide, UN initiatives help strengthen policies and inspire future generations to protect these vital pollinators and their ecosystems.

Photo: UNIDO Ukraine

Liudmyla

Eco-Industrial Park Manager

Ukraine

"Since 2020, we have been actively cooperating with the UN on energy-saving projects, which has helped us cut our gas and electricity use, and move towards more energy-efficient production."

Eco-industrial parks bring businesses together to improve performance and sustainability. Funded by Switzerland, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)'s Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme helps eco-industrial parks across Ukraine with policy support, capacity building and technical assistance.

Photo: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala/Sandy Hernández

Víctor Hugo

Mechanical and Industrial Engineer

Guatemala

"With UN support, I co-led about 100 people to build Guatemala's first satellite, QUETZAL-1. This introduced aerospace engineering to our country and became a symbol of hope, inspiring a new generation to reach for the stars."

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) works for all countries to benefit from space. Guatemala's milestone QUETZAL-1 was part of an initiative by UNOOSA and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency enabling developing countries to deploy CubeSats from the International Space Station's Kibo module.

Photo: Yuning Chen

Jun

Banker

China

"Thanks to the UN, banks will soon be able to accept negotiable cargo documents from clients as collateral across all modes of transport, helping mitigate trade finance risks and support global trade growth."

International trade is facilitated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). A new convention it developed fixes a legal gap by establishing a legal framework for negotiable cargo documents regardless of the mode of transportation used for the cargo.

Photo: UNIDO

Mekdes

Heavy Vehicle Driving Instructor

Ethiopia

"After the training, I managed to pursue the career I love, with a better salary and working conditions. The UN made my dream come true!"

The Misale Driver Training Academy trains young Ethiopians like Mekdes as commercial vehicle drivers, contributing to safer roads, industrial workforce development, and gender equality. It was established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Ethiopian government, Sweden’s development agency, and Volvo.

Photo: UNIS Geneva/Emmanuel Hungrecker

Milena

Human Rights Lawyer

Switzerland

"In my work representing children, the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides essential guarantees for the protection of children’s rights, holding States responsible for their implementation within their jurisdiction."

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets out the fundamental human rights of every child, including to survival, protection, education, and participation. UNICEF, as its lead UN agency, supports countries to turn these commitments into reality, helping millions of children worldwide.

Photo: Sergio Alves da Costa

Maria

Citizen

Timor-Leste

"Since 1999, the UN has played a key role in guiding Timor-Leste through the restoration of our independence, helping build the foundations of peace, democracy, and stability."

For more than 25 years, the United Nations has been supporting Timor-Leste transition from a conflict-ridden past to peace. Initially deploying a peace operation in support of the restoration of independence, the UN continues to play a vital role in supporting national development and stability.

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Asna

"The UN listened to our business needs and coached us to improve our operations. Their support helped us achieve our goals and make our dreams a reality."

Zahoor

"With UN support, I transitioned from opium to cabbage farming. I received training in modern agriculture and was provided with pesticides to protect my crops."

Neli

"I dream of becoming a diplomat to help establish peace in the world. Thanks to UNFPA, I lead community projects empowering young girls. Our dreams are worth pursuing."

Nowai

"Thanks to the UN, we have peace, I can grow my crops and take care of my family."

Jerzy

"My childhood was marred by World War II, but I thank the UN that I didn't experience war again."

Blaž

"Beekeeping is more than honey. What truly matters is teaching future generations to protect the silent workers. By saving the bees, we safeguard our future, food, and life itself."

Liudmyla

"Since 2020, we have been actively cooperating with the UN on energy-saving projects, which has helped us cut our gas and electricity use, and move towards more energy-efficient production."

Víctor Hugo

"With UN support, I co-led about 100 people to build Guatemala's first satellite, QUETZAL-1. This introduced aerospace engineering to our country and became a symbol of hope, inspiring a new generation to reach for the stars."

Jun

"Thanks to the UN, banks will soon be able to accept negotiable cargo documents from clients as collateral across all modes of transport, helping mitigate trade finance risks and support global trade growth."

Mekdes

"After the training, I managed to pursue the career I love, with a better salary and working conditions. The UN made my dream come true!"

Milena

"In my work representing children, the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides essential guarantees for the protection of children’s rights, holding States responsible for their implementation within their jurisdiction."

Maria

"Since 1999, the UN has played a key role in guiding Timor-Leste through the restoration of our independence, helping build the foundations of peace, democracy, and stability."

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