12 December 2002

Cairo, Egypt: On the occasion of the International Volunteer Day, the Technical Bureau of Member of Parliament, Professor Hossam Badrawi; Fat'het Kheir; the Youth Association for Population and Development, the Centre for Development Services and the United Nations Volunteers have organized an exhibition of volunteer work in Egypt.

Open Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, 14 December 2002 in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Abdel Kader, Minister for Local Development; Dr. Hossam Badrawi, Member of the People's Assembly and Chairman of the Education Committee; H.E. Ambassador Mahmoud Mubarak, Chair of the Board of the Maadi Public Library; Mr. George Kurdahy, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for UN Environmental Programme and Mr. Antonio Vigilante, United Nations Resident Coordinator.

The event aims at raising awareness about volunteer work in Egypt. More than 25 volunteer-based organizations will be presenting their work in an interactive exhibition showcasing their activities, publications, brochures, and pictures. Volunteers from all over the country will be available to explain their role and work as volunteers.

A variety of organizations working with volunteers will be participating in the exhibition itself, thus demonstrating that volunteers work in different areas: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international and bilateral organizations, technical bureaus and volunteer centres.

People from all walks of life are expected to visit the exhibition: government, youth, Egyptian NGOs, bilateral aid agencies, United Nations, the media and the private sector. Two private companies -- Procter & Gamble and Coca Cola -- have sponsored the event, thus paving the way for longer-term partnership.

Keynote speakers will highlight the importance of volunteerism for development but also for young people, linking youth employment with volunteerism. It will also be an opportunity to recognize the contribution of volunteers to society and acknowledge the value of their work.

Open Volunteer Day provides a golden opportunity to exchange views about volunteerism and development in Egypt, providing an open space for networking and discussing innovative ideas. The extensive media presence during the day will help disseminate information and ideas about volunteer work. It is hoped that the media will act as partners to send these important messages across.

The event will take place on Saturday, 14 December 2002 at the Maadi Public Library (located in Nasr St. New Maadi, near the Olympic Village) from noon to 5 p.m.