IVD for Economic and Social Development

ISLAMABAD: The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development will be observed on December across the world including Pakistan to gives volunteers a chance to work together on projects and campaigns promoting their contributions to economic and social development at local, national and international levels.

This day hopes to heighten people's and governments' awareness of the voluntary contributions.

It also focuses on stimulating people to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad. Over the years, governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals contribute the International Volunteer Day through various activities.

Through the years, IVD has been used strategically: many countries have focused on volunteers' contributions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of time-bound targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.

Following a proposal of the Government of Japan to the United Nations Secretary General, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2001 the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) in its 52nd session on 20 November 1997.

Resolution 52/17 was co-sponsored by 123 countries. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was designated as focal point for the Year within the UN system. The year led to a better appreciation of the power of volunteerism in its many forms and the ways to support it.

The UN General Assembly is now supporting the 10th anniversary of IYV to be marked in 2011. A chance to build on the momentum created by IYV 2001, this year's IVD is thus an excellent moment to reflect on what the 10th anniversary might achieve for volunteer-involving organizations, and of course volunteers themselves.

Each year UN General Assembly invites governments to observe the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on December 5 (A/RES/40/212 of 17 December 1985). As a result of the resolution from December 17, 1985, governments, the UN, and civil society organizations work together with volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on December 5 each year.