This year UNV is marking WED by showcasing the environmental actions and stories shared through the Volunteer Action Counts campaign. Launched in April, this multimedia campaign highlights what volunteers, communities and organizations are doing for social, economic and environmental transformation in the lead-up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20.

Since its launch in April, more than 1,000 volunteering stories have been submitted and over 63 million volunteer actions for sustainable development counted on the campaign website.

“Volunteering is a key driver of the changes needed in our societies to achieve sustainable development. If we - each one of us - don't engage, participate and recognize our unsustainable lifestyles have to change, how can we expect to build a sustainable future for generations to come?"
-- Flavia Pansieri, UNV Executive Coordinator

That is where the power of volunteering comes in, and everyone should play a role and engage in the spirit of solidarity for our fellow human beings today and generations in the future.