We can end poverty. Meeting the Millennium Development Goals will require the engagement of millions of people through volunteer action. Through an online community (www.facebook.com/unvolunteers), Share the Story is inviting you to join the global discussion about how volunteerism can tip the balance towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.The deadline for meeting the Goals is 2015. Already, volunteers are contributing their expertise; communities are taking action to improve their lives; and decision makers are increasingly realizing the value of volunteerism. These stories don’t make the news, but they are changing the world.

You are invited to Share the Story in a global discussion that started on 8 November 2010. It culminates in an online film festival (on 4 December), showcasing personal video stories from volunteers around the world. During the festival, people from different regions are invited to discuss the successes and challenges of volunteering for the Goals in their regions.

But, the story does not stop with the last film of the festival. As with all the best stories, it continues to inspire debate and dialogue into next year when we mark the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10) and continues all the way to 2015. It is your collective contribution to this global initiative that will create a substantive dialogue on how volunteering is changing our world.

How you or your organization can get involved:

• Send us your ready-made footage of volunteering in action to showcase in the festival
• Send us images (via email) that show volunteerism in action
• Join the online discussion on Facebook
• Invite your network to join the discussion (www.facebook.com/unvolunteers)
• Alert us (via email) to any interesting articles, facts, figures, or your latest research

If you are a volunteer:

• Join the online discussions and share your experiences
• Share the discussion with your network (www.facebook.com/unvolunteers)
• Use the videos in your International Volunteer Day celebrations
• Send us (via email) a 20 second clip telling us why you volunteer or want to

How UNV field colleagues can get involved:
Download the campaign materials:

• Campaign logos will be available from 1 November (all languages)
• Press releases will be available from 15 November (in English, translations to follow)
• 8-12 video stories will be available from 2 December
• Participate in the month-long conversation on Facebook leading up to the main event
• Participate in the film festival by simply joining us on Facebook, or by setting up a screen and computer(s) at your IVD event to show the films and allow people to discuss them online 

How to contact us:

We want to hear from you.
Write to us at: sharethestory[at]unvolunteers[dot]org.
Visit us on www.facebook.com/unvolunteers