International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development

Held on 5th December every year

According to the U.N. - Voluntary action is at the core of social capital and underpins most social action in civil society. It occurs spontaneously as is often the case with natural disasters where citizens come forward to volunteer to assist the victims of floods, earthquakes or forest fires. It is also expressed through civil society organizations (CSOs). CSOs encompass and serve a very broad range of constituencies. However, one feature they have in common is that their roots lie in volunteerism. People join them to volunteer in every field covered by the MDGs. People also volunteer to serve in the governance structures of the organizations themselves. Volunteerism is also present, in a less visible way, through membership in innumerable grass-roots associations found in every part of the globe. Generally drawing on long-established traditions of sharing skills, time, ideas and energy, the full alignment of volunteer action through community groups with the MDGs is critical in addressing the challenges. The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on December 5. The day 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.

History - 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. In 2001, the International Year of Volunteers, the Assembly adopted a set of recommendations on ways that governments and the UN could support volunteering and asked that they be widely disseminated. The International Year of Volunteers aimed to stimulate national and international policy debate around, and to advocate for, recognizing, facilitating, networking and promoting voluntary action. The year led to a much better appreciation of the power of volunteerism in its many forms and the ways to support it.

Events - 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, non profit organizations, and individuals contribute the International Volunteer Day through various activities including:

• Voluntary community projects.
• Parades, marches, or rallies.
• Award ceremonies for volunteers who made significant contributions to their communities.
• “Time donation” campaigns that involve people pledging hours of voluntary service to specific projects.
• Companies launching voluntary programs as part of their corporate responsibility.
• Volunteer competitions.
• Many people participate in many of these events through the World Volunteer Web (http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org), which the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) operates in partnership with various organizations.

Symbols - The IVD logo is used to promote the day. The logo features two olive branches that encapsulate three Vs in a cup-like manner. Each V has bullet points at the top of each tip of the letter, so the Vs are drawn in a way to resemble simple figures of people in unity. The words “International Volunteer Day” are under the olive branches. The image, including the words, is in orange on a white background.

Alternate Name - International Volunteer Day

Holiday Status - It is not a public holiday.