07 September 2010

Manesar, India: UNV India organized a national UNV volunteer workshop from 27 to 28 August in Manesar, Hariyana. The workshop was the first of its kind in India for the more than 75 national UNV volunteers currently working in the country. The theme of the discussion focussed on the eight UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) in the run up to this year’s UNV’s International Volunteer Day on 5 December themed “Volunteering for the MDGs”.

The UNV volunteers working with UNDP projects, UNIDO, UNHCR and NGOs discussed how to contribute to achieving the MDGs by 2015 by mobilizing resources from the Government, NGOs, the UN, bilateral organizations, civil society, communities and the corporate sector. Ms Sumeeta Banerji, Head of UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit, delivered opening remarks encouraging volunteers to produce quality work based on the values of volunteerism.

Ms Arunima Sen, national UNV volunteer, in New Delhi with UNDP’s Capacity Development for Local Governance project in GoI said that she was grateful for the opportunity to interact with colleagues from across the country at a “wonderful workshop.”

“It makes us realize our role in the whole network of UNV volunteers, and the integral part we can and have to play in achieving the MDGs,” she added.

Ms Srabani Das, a national UNV volunteer working with United Nations Millennium Campaign in Orissa thanked all the UNV volunteers who made the National UNV Volunteer Workshop a success by contributing their time, knowledge and by sharing experiences from different parts of the country.

Srabani and Mr Ramakanta Satapathy associated with the MDG campaign team presented the UN initiatives on the MDGs and encouraged all volunteers to contribute on September 18th 2010 to mark the “Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty” campaign. They requested all participants to send the clippings of the event and a small write-up on the event. This will have a global reach out in terms of volunteers and their contribution to the MDGs.

Mr Somesh Babu working with UNHCR in Chennai said that the workshop was a fabulous occasion to meet all our friends and of course have thought-provoking discussions on various issues; especially the MDGs.

“I appreciate your efforts to conduct this programme successfully. I will return my pavilion with lots of wonderful memories,” he said.
 
UNV volunteers expressed strong commitment to play key roles in contributing to the achievement of the MDGs through various initiatives. UNV India maintains the MDGs as the top priority in all its endeavours through the spirit of volunteerism.