11 December 2009

Ha Noi, Viet Nam: A day-long Environmental Youth Camp was held on 5 December at the Ha Noi Botanical Gardens by volunteer organizations. Two hundred young people, including volunteers, people with disabilities and those living with HIV participated in a variety of creative activities and discussions around environmental issues.

Local and international participants tackled issues related to man-made impacts on the ecosystem, the causes of global climate change and other environmental issues such as urban pollution. The activities were designed as non-formal environmental education and were aimed at stimulating people to think about what kind of difference they could make as individuals, by for example adopting green lifestyle habits.

Open to the public in the afternoon, the Environmental Youth Camp also provided great opportunities for volunteerism information sharing through information booths where visitors discovered a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

There was also entertainment with music performances and fun games, and all participants were encouraged to engage in volunteer activities. Also showcasing the diversity of volunteer works at the event were not only organizations working in environmental protection but also in other development sectors like poverty reduction, health, disability, and HIV prevention.

"IVD is a time to recognize the invaluable contribution that volunteerism and volunteers provide to peace and development. It is also an opportunity to create awareness and advocate the practice of volunteerism to all people. To celebrate the event, various activities are carried out in different countries which range from tree planting, medical-dental missions, parades, concerts, photo exhibits, etc., all of which are meant to highlight the various forms of volunteerism and  the work of volunteers" said Programme Officer – Team Leader of the United Nations Volunteers programme in Viet Nam, Ms. Ruby Banez.

Based on the success of IVD celebrations in previous years in Ha Noi, this year’s event was again  organized through the collective effort of national and international volunteer organizations including SJ Viet Nam, Korean Overseas Volunteers (KOV), Talking Green Club (TGC), Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Cycling for Environment (C4E), Volunteers for Peace - Viet Nam (VPV), Volunteer for Community Development (VFCD), Inclusive Development Action (IDEA), Making Dreams Come True, GoGreen, Action of for the City, and Viet Nam Federation of UNESCO clubs with the overall coordination by the United Nations Volunteers Viet Nam.

The opening ceremony of the Environmental Youth Camp was graced by the presence of the Acting UN Resident Coordinator Jesper Morch, and the Secretary of Executive Committee of the Central Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and representatives from national and international volunteer organizations.