Across the world today, from Ecuador to Haiti, Liberia to Bosnia, Jordan to Vietnam, people are celebrating International Volunteer Day (IVD).  Volunteers and volunteer organizations are holding a variety of events including parades, campaigns, conferences, competitions, blood donation drives and coordinated volunteer actions.  They are celebrating with their communities, local institutions, UN organizations and government authorities to recognize the hope and commitment that volunteers bring to make the world a better place.  

“Every year, hundreds of millions of people around the world give their time and share their skills,” said Flavia Pansieri, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. “They are driven by a desire to contribute to the well-being of their society, without expectation of material reward, and their efforts promote civic values and social cohesion.”

IVD was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.  This year, UNV has introduced a new logo and five year strategy to make IVD more globally recognised, and participation more grassroots based.  Come celebrate with us!  Click on www.volunteeractioncounts.org to download IVD materials and upload your IVD stories, or use Twitter to share your stories by using the hashtag, #actioncounts.

For further information, articles and press releases, please see below.

---