Gwyn Lewis, the UN’s resident coordinator in Bangladesh, recognized today the priceless work that all UN volunteers do.
“On this International Volunteer Day (IVD), let us pledge to spread the word, take initiative, and perform our own unique acts of volunteerism. Let’s hope for the benefits it will bring to everyone on the planet, she remarked.
According to a press release, the resident coordinator made the statement during a virtual event held by United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Bangladesh to commemorate International Volunteer Day (IVD)-2023 with the subject “If Everyone Did.”
The theme emphasizes the power of people acting together and calls on everyone to participate in selfless deeds for the benefit of society as a whole.
The discussion brought together the government officials, UN partners, Volunteer Involving Organization, Civil Society organization, academia, youth-led organization, and volunteers across Bangladesh.
Disaster Management and Relief secretary Md Kamrul Hasan joined the occasion as chief guest.Hasan said International Volunteer Day is a testament to the remarkable contributions of volunteers in promoting economic and social development.
“It is a day to recognize the selfless efforts of volunteers and their role in shaping a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous world,” he said.
Through a video message, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Toily Kurbanov programme said, “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. And to the world, our message is: Imagine what we could achieve if all joined in and volunteered.”
UNV Regional Manager for Asia and the Pacific Christian Hainzl who joined the event virtually noted that volunteering is not just an act of kindness; it is a catalyst for change. “It is a force that transcends boundaries, unites communities, and empowers individuals.”
Half of the world’s volunteer population—more than one billion—resides in Asia and the Pacific. The UN office in Dhaka claims that they work for humanism and solidarity for both people and the environment.
More than 180 UN Volunteers have supported UN operations in Bangladesh since the year 2023, which has accelerated Bangladesh’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.Among other things, they are supporting efforts to reduce poverty, fostering gender equality, ensuring access to basic education, ensuring maternity and child health care, preserving democracy and peace, building climate resilience, and promoting good health and well-being.
Country Coordinator, UNV Bangladesh Sonia Mehzabeen in her presentation highlighted the significance of International Volunteer Day and apprised the audience on the volunteering initiatives taken by the UN Volunteers in commemoration of the theme of this year.
Global people can volunteer in any of the three UN system pillars—development, peace and security, and human rights—through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program. Under the administration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNV promotes volunteerism’s inclusion in development initiatives by working with partners and mobilizing volunteers globally.
With operations in almost 160 nations, UNV serves more than 170 different nationalities. December 5th is International Volunteer Day (IVD), observed worldwide.
The UN declared it to be a worldwide celebration of the strength and promise of voluntarism in 1985.
