PURPOSE: The 5 December as International Volunteer Day was designated the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.
FORUM: "If everyone did..." International Volunteer Day 2023. The theme of this year's IVD will center on the power of everyone - collective action - if everyone did. If everyone volunteered the world would be a better place. Imagine more than eight billion of us volunteering. Limitless possibilities for sustainable development - food and education for everyone, clean environment and good health, inclusive and peaceful societies, and more. As the world garners support to deal with mounting challenges, it's the volunteers who are the first ones to help. Volunteers are at the fore in crises and emergencies, often in very testing and dire situations. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #5December, #InternationalVolunteerDay, #IVD2023, #Ifeveryonedid.
EVENTS: On December 5th, The United Nations Specialized Agencies, the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) and the UNV regional offices will host a webinar to mark the International Volunteer Day 2022. More than a billion volunteer around the world act for solidarity and humanity for people and planet. IVD is a day to pay tribute to volunteers worldwide and to recognize the value of volunteerism in peace and development.The International Volunteer Day 2023 activities are taking place around the world including seven high-level events co-hosted by Governments in Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Iraq, Ireland, Tanzania, Thailand, and Togo. From the national caravan of volunteering in Togo to the climate-conscious activities of tree planting in Azerbaijan to the wheelchair journey of volunteers with disabilities in Thailand - each event will amplify the diversity of volunteering around the globe. Countries and volunteer groups will mark the spirit of volunteerism together with communities, academia, volunteer-involving organizations, and UN agencies. United Nations Volunteer Staff at Headquarters in Bonn will also participate in a volunteering activity to mark IVD and demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism among local residents. The UNV thanks in advance its UN Member States partners for their generous contributions in support of volunteerism for sustainable development and peace and counts on their continued support.
STATEMENTS: “On this important day, let’s re-commit to ensuring that all people can lend their energies to shaping a better future for all people and the planet we share. Let’s stand with volunteers, everywhere.” Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development 2023; December 5th.
"As International Volunteer Day 2023 is marked on 5 December, I thanks the 1 billion volunteers worldwide serving their communities every day." Watch the videoStatement of the UNDP Administrator on International Volunteer Day for Peace and Development 2023; December 5th.
"Volunteers are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under rubble. They step in when there is no mechanism to reach the front line. This is the reality of volunteers who, despite everything, just don't give up." Watch the video Statement of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day 2023.
"Today I say to all volunteers around the globe: Thank you. For choosing to improve the world. For finding inspiration to act. For creating solutions. For keeping our hopes alive." Watch the Message of the UNV Executive coordinator on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day 2023; December 5th.
PODCASTS: Explore how emerging volunteer models can be a pathway for building equal and inclusive societies within the pursuit of achieving the SDGs, and encouraging volunteerism worldwide. Listen to the Audio-podcsts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the International Volunteer Day 2023 campaign "If Everyone Did." Let’s recognize Volunteers invaluable role in iimproving the lives around them; Explore the IVD 2023 Trello Board for resources. Get the campaign Materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is celebrated every year on December 5th. Through the years, IVD has been used strategically: many countries have focused on volunteer contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of time-bound targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, health, environmental degradation and gender equality. IVD celebrates active volunteers and attracts new volunteers in the global North and global South, with a special focus on promoting South-South cooperation.
In most societies, millions of people make significant contributions to economic and social development through voluntary action. Volunteerism is one of the most vital delivery mechanisms for social, environmental and economic transformation, ensuring a lasting impact with its ability to change people’s mindsets, attitudes and behaviours. People become actors of change and equal partners in the attainment of local, national and international progress towards sustainable human development and global peace. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recognizes the shared universal values underpinning volunteerism – free will, commitment, equity, engagement, solidarity, compassion, empathy and respect for others.
Bring the voices of volunteers to the attention of policy decision-makers.
Enhance the vision towards a better society by promoting volunteerism.
Support a better understanding of volunteerism.
Showcase volunteers in action including informal volunteering by people living in difficult circumstances, and self-support actions at the community level
Showcase the important contributions of v volunteers andrelief workers in diverse fields such as enhanced livelihoods, social inclusion, social cohesion, emergency responses, disaster risk reduction, governance and political participation.
Showcase volunteers in action including informal volunteering by people living in difficult circumstances, and self-support actions at the community level.
Advocate for a General Assembly resolution with strong recognition of the value of volunteerism to society with recommendation to governments for institutional support, and with call on governments and society to support and fund volunteer initiatives.
Exhibit Volunteerism universality, scope and reach by highlighting new trends in the 21st century.
The International Volunteer Day is co-organized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Volunteer Programme (UNV), Impact 2030, the International Forum for Volunteering for Development , the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE)/Global Corporate Volunteer Council (GCVC), the Points of Light, the New York Cares and many others.
With the participation of The International Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Australian Volunteers International, the Peace Corps, the Global Volunteer Organizations - Volunteer World, the Service Civil International, the International Volunteers HQ, the Voluntary services overseas,the International Voluntary Service, the AIESEC
The organization of IVD events is generally the result of a partnership between the UN system, governments, volunteer-involving organizations and committed individuals. Representatives from the media or academia, foundations, the private sector, faith groups, and sports and recreational organizations are often involved too.