05 December 2005

Bonn, Germany: From natural disasters to ‘silent crises’ such as poverty and disease, volunteers are making a difference across the globe and helping the international community achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed in his message on International Volunteer Day.

“The past year’s natural disasters have highlighted the invaluable contributions of volunteers in our communities,” said Mr. Annan. “They have volunteered their time, energy and skills to save lives and to rebuild communities. In this they joined countless people around the world who volunteer every day in response to ‘silent crises’. These often unsung heroes understand all too well that poverty, disease and famine are just as deadly and destructive as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis. “

Citing the recent World Summit at the United Nations, Mr. Annan said a united approach to the Goals is crucial. “As world leaders reiterated at the World Summit in September, achievement of the Millennium Development Goals requires a collective effort,” he said. “If we are to make poverty history, we must have the active participation of States, civil society and the private sector, as well as individual volunteers. A united approach is especially critical in countries that will not meet the Millennium Goals without dramatic increases in effort.”

In his message on IVD, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kemal Dervis, stressed the role of ordinary citizens in the global initiative to end poverty by 2015, as well as the role of governments in ensuring people are properly supported in their endeavours.

“Promoting volunteerism, strengthening the support provided to volunteers, and recognizing the contributions of volunteers, are all vital if the Goals are to be realized in the next decade,” said Mr. Dervis. “I encourage governments of both rich and poor countries, as well as other stakeholders and the entire UN system, to create more opportunities for people to contribute to development in tangible ways through volunteerism.”

The UNDP Administrator also called on the United Nations system to increase awareness of “the impact that countless numbers of ordinary citizens… can make to the development of their own communities when they are mobilized and properly supported.” Mr. Dervis added that participation by all is vital to eradicating poverty.

The Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, Ad de Raad, using his message to reflect on progress since the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001, said that while volunteerism is flourishing in a number of countries, its full potential has not been fully realized.

“More governments than ever are nurturing the development of an environment within which volunteerism can flourish,” Mr. de Raad said. “However, despite the important progress underway, much work remains to be done in terms of recognizing and harnessing the full potential of volunteerism for development. It is indeed events like International Volunteer Day that help to highlight the impact volunteers are having in every region.”

In reference to IYV 2001, Mr. de Raad said that while the Year might be considered by many as a successful culmination of efforts to move volunteerism forward, he sees it differently. “The Year, indeed, was just the beginning - there is still a lot left to do,” he said. “Helping ordinary citizens engage in voluntary activities to achieve the MDGs is just one task on the global volunteerism agenda.”

Later this month, the United Nations General Assembly will review progress on advancing volunteerism since IYV 2001. As stated by the Secretary-General, “[I]t will be an occasion for Member States to build on the achievements of the Year, as well as an opportunity to take new steps to realize volunteerism’s potential in the development process.”

IVD was adopted by the 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.