26 November 2002

New York, USA: At a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (GA) on 26 November, governments discussed the Report of the Secretary General "International Year of Volunteers: outcomes and future perspectives", and the General Assembly Resolution on the follow-up to IYV.

In his opening statement, Mr. Jan Kavan, President of the General Assembly, acknowledged that "local voluntary involvement was a valuable and indispensable contribution to the improvement of social conditions, promotion of economic development and empowerment of people to take charge." Commending the measures taken towards achieving the IYV goals of recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering, he stated that "The International Year of Volunteers was a milestone in recognising the tireless work of volunteers around the world." He further noted that "the potential of volunteerism to contribute significantly to the attainment of the Millennium Goals cannot be underestimated."

Ms. Maria de Lourdes Egydio Villela, President of the Brazil Volunteer Institute, introduced the draft resolution on behalf of Brazil. She noted that it called upon governments and the UN Secretariat to observe and promote 5 December, the International Volunteer Day; invited the UN Volunteers programme to enhance network capabilities and information sharing through a global internet volunteer resource; and further encouraged all stakeholders to continue to support voluntary activities.

In the following discussion, statements were made by representatives of the following countries:

Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark - on behalf of the European Union, Egypt, Honduras, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, and Viet Nam. An observer from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also made a statement.

Delegates highlighted in particular: the value of volunteer contributions to economic and social development, and to national capacity-building; the importance of volunteerism as a vehicle to include all segments of society; and the the role that volunteers can play in the attainment of the MDGs. Many also reflected on the steps already taken in their own countries to facilitate volunteer action at all levels including: enabling policy and legislation; research to measure volunteer contributions; the establishment of volunteer schemes designed to increase opportunities to volunteer; and enhanced support to training and volunteer management. Delegates also acknowledged the existence of promising partnerships among governments, the UN, civil society, private sector, academia and media.

In looking to the future, delegates emphasised the need for governments and the UN system to observe the recommendations made in support of volunteering in GA resolution A/RES/56/38; and for all sectors of society, especially the private sector, to work together to further support volunteer action. In view of the effectiveness of the internet as a mechanism for networking and information dissemination, delegates supported the continued development of a global internet volunteer resource. There was also strong support to make International Volunteer Day, 5 December, both as an opportunity to celebrate and take stock of progress made in facilitating volunteer action.