12.05.08
International Volunteer Day, 5 December
International Volunteer Day, 5 December
International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a chance for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote their contributions to development at local, national and international levels. By merging UN support with a grassroots mandate, IVD is a unique opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations to work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups and the private sector.
IVD was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/212 on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on 5 December.
International Volunteer Day: A focus on partnership and development
Through the years, IVD has been used strategically: many countries have focused on volunteers’ contributions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of time-bound targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.
The organization of IVD is generally the result of a partnership between the UN system, governments, volunteer-involving organizations, and committed individuals. Representatives from the media or academia, foundations, the private sector, faith groups, and sports and recreational organizations are often involved too.
The International Year of Volunteers: From 2001 to 2011
Following a proposal of the Government of Japan to the United Nations Secretary General, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2001 the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) in its 52nd session on 20 November 1997. Resolution 52/17 was co-sponsored by 123 countries. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was designated as focal point for the Year within the UN system. The year led to a better appreciation of the power of volunteerism in its many forms and the ways to support it.
The UN General Assembly is now supporting the 10th anniversary of IYV to be marked in 2011. A chance to build on the momentum created by IYV 2001, this year’s IVD is thus an excellent moment to reflect on what the 10th anniversary might achieve for volunteer-involving organizations, and of course volunteers themselves.
www.worldvolunteerweb.org
