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Welcome to United Planet

As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders.

Learn more about United Planet's Volunteer Abroad programs in 50 countries from 1-52 weeks

Check out United Planet's Blog!

United Planet Special Projects

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United Planet is always striving to make a more lasting impression in the communities in which we serve through innovative models like United Planet’ s “micro-empowerment” concept.  Micro-empowerment brings together United Planet’s core competencies by combining volunteer abroad support with project funding and on-going mentoring.

In January 2008, United Planet opened Lavanderia Planeta Unido, a laundromat that provides services for both tourists and residents of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.  Funds from this project are creating sustainable revenue and providing valuable training to benefit a shelter for abused women and their children.

United Planet is extremely proud of our volunteers abroad.  Volunteers like Lizzie Lee, a student at Columbia University, who has a strong interest in business and a passion for volunteering abroad, prepared a business plan to help boost the laundromat's revenues by an estimated 200 percent. Lizzie describes her volunteer abroad Quest experience as “one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”

We believe that these projects are immensely beneficial not only to the local communities that they serve, but also to the greater global community. If you would like to support these projects or volunteer abroad, please contact us or visit the Special Projects section of our website.

 

United Planet Day 2008 - Writing & Photo Contest

United Planet is proud to announce the winners of our 2008 Writing and Photo/Video Contest!  Each year we host this event to celebrate United Planet Day 2008, the one day during the Fall Equinox when the sun shines on every location on earth for an equal amount of time.

Please visit our United Planet Day page to view more of this year’s incredibly moving photo and writing submissions.

Bruce Mann - United Planet Day Photo Contest 2008 Grand Prize Winner (Taken during a volunteer abroad Quest in Peru)

Sarah Miller - United Planet Day Photo Contest 2008 Honorable Mention Winner (Taken during a volunteer abroad Quest in Ghana)

 

Wear what you believe

It feels great inside and out. Wear the UP T-shirt with pride. By wearing the UP t-shirt, you make an invaluable contribution to our educational, humanitarian, peace-building, and volunteer abroad projects worldwide.

Who says you can't carry the world on your shoulders?

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Learn more about United Planet's Volunteer Abroad Programs in 50 Countries from 1-52 weeks
 

 

 
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   Hillary Swank volunteering in India

Oscar award winning actress Hillary Swank volunteering abroad at an orphanage during her Quest to India.

 

UP Update

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all of you--the incredible volunteers, supporters, and friends--who have worked hard in communities near and far to empower and unite the world.

Our incredible volunteer abroad team is making a positive impact. CNN recently selected United Planet as one of 10 organizations worldwide to feature on their Be the Change website.

In an increasingly interdependent world--a world facing countless challenges that transcend local and national boundaries--I invite you to follow the example of these United Planet volunteers and ask yourself, "How can I change the world?"

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In 2008, CNN selected United Planet as one of only 10 organizations worldwide to be featured as part of its "Be the Change" initiative.
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