Citizens Worldwide to Celebrate International Volunteer Day

By an IPS Correspondent Reprint | | Print |

From the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 1 2014 (IPS) - Come December 5, people in over 80 countries will celebrate International Volunteer Day by taking action to improve their communities.

Global citizens will organize parades, sports festivals, group clean-ups, blood donations, rallies, social media campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, fundraisers, workshops, and other events, in order to “make change happen” around the world.

International Volunteer Day 2014 recognizes and celebrates volunteerism, with a special focus on honoring people’s participation in making a difference at all levels: locally, nationally, and globally, according to a statement released Monday..

This year’s theme underlines the ability of volunteerism to help create open spaces for dialogue and inclusion, ultimately fostering the participation of people from all age groups, genders, and backgrounds in decision-making processes.

This grassroots engagement is currently helping to build a more inclusive process of crafting the post-2015 development agenda – the world’s next plan for eradicating extreme poverty and achieving sustainable development.

“People’s engagement makes change happen locally, nationally, and globally,” said Richard Dictus, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme. “Through volunteering, people can participate in peace building, sustainable development, and decision-making processes. Volunteerism also opens spaces for dialogue and civic responsibility. All over the world, peace and development efforts become more effective when they fully engage people, irrespective of their background, race, gender, or age. Participation through volunteerism is a way to empower people from marginalized groups, by providing them with an opportunity to act.”

Globally, volunteerism is on the rise. Between 2012-2013, the number of people who volunteered their time increased by 0.1 percent in developed and transition economies and 2.2 percent in developing countries, according to the just-released World Giving Index 2014.

∙In Bangladesh, national and international volunteers will gather in Rabindra Sarabor Park in Dhanmondi to share their stories about how they have made a difference by volunteering.

A “Volunteerism Caravan” is currently traveling across Cambodia to gather the voices and experiences of volunteers across the country. The results will be presented in an event in Phnom Penh on International Volunteer Day.

∙A week-long celebration of International Volunteer Day in Cameroon will include a photo exhibit on how volunteerism helps refugees and empowers women and in Egypt it will include a Tedx event discussing volunteerism.

∙ In Hong Kong, a networking breakfast event will help foster partnerships between corporate professionals interested in volunteering and local organizations.

∙In India, thousands of people are expected to gather to clean the banks of the Yamuna river at Kudsia Ghat.

∙ In Laos, UN Volunteers is organizing a photo competition on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/UNVLaoPDR, to capture images of volunteers making change happen.

∙ In Namibia, volunteers will gather food donations for people who have disabilities and HIV/AIDS.

∙ In the United States, at an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United Nations Volunteers and partners will launch IMPACT 2030, an initiative that will recruit corporate volunteers to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda.

∙In Uzbekistan, volunteers will send postcards to other volunteers around the globe, thanking them for their service. ∙ A cycling tour is being organized in Sri Lanka to help spread the message about the importance of volunteerism.

Mandated by the UN General Assembly, International Volunteer Day is held each year on 5 December. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, share their values, and promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.