5 December 2013 – Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon today paid tribute to the millions of young volunteers around
the world who are acting globally for social change, marking this year’s
International Volunteer Day.
“There
are more than 1.2 billion youth in the world today, with incredible
potential to tackle challenges and act as agents of change,” he said in his message for the Day, observed annually on 5 December.
“When
young people volunteer, the opportunity provides them with valuable
life and job skills; it strengthens their capacity to lead and become
engaged in their communities and global society.”
Mr.
Ban highlighted in particular the nearly 1,000 young UN Volunteers
(UNV) who are supporting the work of the United Nations for peace,
sustainable development and human rights. “UN Volunteers work alongside
UN staff to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable populations
in the world.
He
added that volunteerism is “a two-way street,” noting that even as
volunteers help generate positive change for others, their own lives are
often transformed by the act of volunteering itself.
“On
this International Volunteer Day, let us renew our commitment to
offering young people diverse and meaningful volunteer opportunities to
become active and confident contributors to global change.”
People
in over 80 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe are celebrating the
Day today with volunteer activities, parades, volunteer fairs, group
clean-ups, blood donations, rallies, conferences, exhibitions,
fundraising, workshops and other volunteer recognition events.
“During
my first year at the helm of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
programme, I have been extremely fortunate to visit dozens of
UNV-supported projects around the world, where UN Volunteers, many of
them young women and men, have been at the forefront of global peace and
sustainable human development efforts,” says Richard Dictus, UNV
Executive Coordinator.
“Not
only have these volunteers brought real lasting changes through their
actions, but they are also having a tremendous impact by serving as role
models for other young people.”
Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in around 130 countries every year.
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