International Volunteer Day 2021: Every year on December 5th, the world observed the International Volunteer Day (IVD), also known as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.
It is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.
International Volunteer Day 2021 Theme: Volunteer now for our common future.
When people are encouraged to get involved in solving problems, the solutions are more likely to be feasible and lasting. Volunteers engage communities and build a people-centric movement to help build a better and safer future for us all.
For the generations of TOMORROW, we must take responsibility for the changes needed to build a better future NOW. Encouraging, recognizing and promoting volunteerism is an important part of creating a more equal and inclusive future for communities and worldwide.
International Volunteer Day Significance
International Volunteer Day has been strategically used over the years, with many countries emphasising volunteers’ contributions to the Millennium Development Goals, a set of time-bound targets aimed at combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and gender discrimination.
The United Nations system, countries, volunteer-involving organisations, and devoted people collaborate to organise International Volunteer Day. Representatives from the media or academics, foundations, the private sector, religious groups, and sports and recreational organisations are often involved too.
International Volunteer Day History
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/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.
