01 December 2003

WorldVolunteerWeb.org supports the volunteer community by providing a global one-stop shop on information resources, linked to volunteerism, that can be used for campaigning, advocacy, networking and action. Representing the diversity of volunteerism in all of its cultural forms, it brings global ideals to local voluntary actions and serves as a means to mobilize volunteer action in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of time-bound targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.
WorldVolunteerWeb.org is thus a unique site that offers a place where the global volunteering community can come together online to share resources and coordinate activities to make a real impact at all levels. This is where the Internet’s true value for volunteerism lies, as it provides a cost-effective way to connect people, organizations and initiatives, and helps them move towards the achievement of common goals. With a constituency comprising of some 20,000 organizations and individuals, WorldVolunteerWeb.org helps to catalyze partnerships between volunteer stakeholders from all continents.

Key features of WorldVolunteerWeb.org include:

• A monthly Global Volunteer Update newsletter in English, French and Spanish that provides an overview of volunteer-related activities and trends;
• An online moderated discussion forum, the World Volunteer Web Speakers’ Corner, that enables the online community to discuss key volunteering issues such as volunteering and environmental sustainability, volunteer management, online volunteering, and volunteers’ contributions to achieving the MDGs;
• A MDG section promoting and highlighting volunteer efforts and initiatives aimed at meeting the goals;
• A central information point for ideas, resources, events and activities organized worldwide for International Volunteer Day (IVD), 5 December;
• The latest volunteering news, viewpoints and resources, as well as opportunities to get involved;
• A virtual library of volunteer-related legislation and policy from around the world;
• Research, statistics, case studies and examples of volunteer projects and initiatives;
• A Special Focus section featuring new and emerging volunteering themes, such as volunteering and youth;
• A section devoted to personal stories from volunteers.

To subscribe or contribute to volunteer-related news, register your organization or get involved in IVD activities, contact us by email at info@worldvolunteerweb.org or visit the portal at www.worldvolunteerweb.org.

¡The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a set of time-bound development targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. They were agreed to by world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000. See www.developmentgoals.org for details.