Celebrate International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2010!

 

 

December 5, 2010

 

International Volunteer Day (IVD) – (December 5) is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. The declared aim of this activity is to thank the volunteers for their efforts and increase public awareness on their contribution to society. The day is celebrated in majority countries of the world.

The International Volunteer Day is marked by many non-governmental organizations, including Red Cross, scouts and others. It is also marked and supported by United Nations Volunteers.

 

 

 

A Picture of Our World without Volunteers

It would be a world without at least 140 million people, the global economy would lose around 400 billion dollars, our GDP would diminish by 3-7% and millions third sector employees would lose their jobs.

 

 

 

United Nations IVD

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 (IVD) 2010: Share the Story

You are invited to Share the Story in a global discussion that started on 8 November 2010. It culminates in an online film festival (on 4 December), showcasing personal video stories from volunteers around the world. During the festival, people from different regions are invited to discuss the successes and challenges of volunteering for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in their regions.

• Visit the IVD 2010: Volunteering for the MDGs page for more information and logo downloads.
• Watch the Share the Story promotional video clip.
• ‘Like’ www.facebook.com/unvolunteers and participate in the online discussion and film festival.

Volunteers, this is your moment. IVD offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions – at local, national and international levels – to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Over the years, rallies, parades, community volunteering projects, environmental awareness, free medical care and advocacy campaigns have all featured prominently on IVD. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has made volunteering for one or more of the MDGs its theme for IVD 2010, reminding people around the world of the difference that they can make. It will be an opportunity to highlight and showcase just how volunteerism is contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Meeting the MDGs will require the engagement of millions of people through volunteer action. Through an online community, (www.facebook.com/unvolunteers), Share the Story is inviting you to join the global discussion about how volunteerism can tip the balance towards meeting the MDGs. The deadline for meeting the Goals is 2015. Already, volunteers are contributing their expertise; communities are taking action to improve their lives; and decision makers are increasingly realizing the value of volunteerism. These stories don’t make the news, but they are changing the world. For more information on UNV’s IVD campaign, please visit Share the Story. But this year’s IVD is also significant for another reason. It marks the launch of the tenth anniversary of the 2001 International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10), which also coincides with the European Year of Volunteering. IYV+10 will be an opportunity for people all around the world to join a global effort to reinvigorate the spirit of volunteerism. Apart from mobilising thousands of volunteers every year, UNV works closely with partners and governments to establish national volunteer programmes to create structures that foster and sustain local volunteerism in countries. Through the Online Volunteering service volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet. Every day thousands of people are volunteering, online or on-site, contributing to peace and development and working to achieve the MDGs.   Share your IVD ideas, events and resources.           Print page