More and more governments, civil society, volunteer-involving organizations, and ordinary citizens are using International Volunteer Day to recognize and promote volunteering for development. The Millennium Development Goals are providing a valuable framework for this participation, as growing numbers of people associate themselves to the Goals through voluntary action.

To meet this phenomenon, the global community must work together to ensure that volunteerism is properly supported. This means establishing volunteer networks, advancing proposals for pro-volunteer legislation, measuring volunteer contributions and providing more people with volunteer opportunities, be it in their own communities, online, or abroad.

Increasing communication is also important in building alliances and exchanging ideas on ways to meet the challenges that the Millennium Development Goals represent. Through the WorldVolunteerWeb.org portal, a global knowledge hub and exchange forum for volunteerism, citizens from around the world can share experiences or volunteer in development activities. By tapping into this global resource, people can stay connected and also discover ways to volunteer online.

Of course, there is no “how-to-guide” on the best way to make the Millennium Development Goals a reality. What we do have is an understanding that many millions of ordinary people are willing to get involved through voluntary action. Next year’s UN General Assembly review on progress made in implementing the Millennium Development Goals will provide an important moment for the international community to identify the steps that must be taken to move forward. We hope that part of this call for accelerated action will be the inclusion of more people in volunteer activities.

Also in 2005, the UN General Assembly will take up the Secretary-General’s report on the follow-up to recommendations made at the end of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001. These discussions at the global level will be matched by countless numbers of volunteer acts at the grassroots level, which, added together, will make achieving the Goals that have been set by the international community much more attainable.

On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, I would like to thank each and every individual who is contributing their time and skills to the Goals. As the first generation equipped with the tools to eradicate extreme poverty, we cannot miss the opportunity provided by the Millennium Development Goals. Stay focused, encourage others to sign on, and, most importantly, keep building the momentum.

On the road to 2015, every action counts.