Staff Reporter:
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis yesterday lauded the invalu-able contributions of all UN volunteers.
“In celebration of International Volunteer Day (IVD), let us commit to embrace the spirit, take charge, and do our individual acts of volunteerism. Let us be hopeful for the rewards that it would bring to the world, to all of us,” she said.
The resident coordinator made the remark at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Bangladesh celebrat-ed International Volunteer Day (IVD)-2023 under the theme of “If Everyone Did” through a virtual event, a press release said.
The theme underscores the collective power of individuals, urging everyone to engage in voluntary acts for the greater interest.
The discussion brought together the government officials, UN partners, Volunteer Involving Organiza-tion, 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, equi-table and prosperous world,” he said.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program provides global citizens with an opportunity to volun-teer across the three pillars of the United Nations system: development, peace and security, and human rights. Administered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNV advocates for the recognition of volunteers collaborating with partners to integrate volunteerism into development pro-gramming and helps to mobilize volunteers throughout the world.
UNV is active in some 160 countries worldwide and represents over 170 nationalities. International Vol-unteer Day (IVD) is globally celebrated on 5 December.
It was designated by the UN in 1985 as an international observance to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.
