Summary

• International Volunteer Day (IVD) is celebrated worldwide annually on 5 December.
• It is observed to highlight the role of volunteers who play a significant role on a global stage.
• It all started 40 years ago when the United Nations asked governments to observe International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.
• The idea is also to promote North-South and South-South cooperation to alleviate poverty, promote education, and combat diseases, especially in vulnerable communities.
• Volunteers are part of the most aware and responsive segments of a society. Their nature of work gives them access to information and awareness that others are mostly not aware of.

Why is International Volunteer Day Celebrated?

Every day millions of volunteers perform their duties to create a positive change in communities. International Volunteer Day is celebrated to emphasize the crucial role of these heroes who help people without expecting anything in return.

The United Nations has been promoting this day for a long time. The core idea is to create links between governments and organizations and recognize the efforts of those who perform extraordinarily. The UN believes volunteers have been playing a key role in promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 around the world.

There are so many developing countries that are falling behind in SDGs. The UN believes these countries can strategically use volunteers to achieve their targets.

There are several individuals and organizations that have been appreciated by the United Nations Volunteers through different kinds of awards. Many of these awards have been given in specific campaigns related to education, health, and other such sectors.

The idea is also to promote North-South and South-South cooperation to alleviate poverty and combat diseases, especially in vulnerable communities.

How Does Volunteering Help Communities?

Volunteering can change societies. There are so many ways in which volunteers touch the very soul of society every day. There are organizations that pay their volunteers, but at the same time there are also many small companies that totally rely on unpaid volunteers.

Volunteers also bring social change. A change that runs deeper than many of us think. For instance, there are several organizations that promote awareness about gender-based violence, domestic violence, and racism.

In all such cases, volunteers become the cause of the social change that a society needs for equitable socio-economic growth.

Volunteers are part of the most aware segments of a society. Their nature of work gives them access to information and data that others are mostly not aware of. Many volunteers work for disadvantaged communities that play a key role in the development of society but are often ignored by the policymakers and governments.

Should You Do Volunteering?

Volunteering is a life-changing activity. It opens up new doors to us. It provides us new perspectives about life that we are often not aware of. Most of us have a fixed circle of friends and colleagues, and we mostly move around in that circle.

Volunteering is unique, as it opens up new windows of opportunities for us. Something that gives us the understanding of social issues and systematic problems of groups and communities, hence giving us an opportunity to look far beyond our virtual boundaries.

Volunteering in Canada is encouraged and appreciated in many ways. Let’s take the example of Christmas gifts in Canada. Many believe it is just to make people happy on the eve of Christmas.

But that is not the complete story. There is a significant population of old people in Canada who feel lonely because either they don’t have families or their loved ones don’t visit them on Christmas.

Moreover, there is a significant number of pensioners who are unable to sustain their lives. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living has significantly jumped, and many are struggling to meet their expenses. Therefore, a small act of donation or volunteering can make a big difference in the lives of these people.

Conclusion

We all should do volunteering and also encourage others. International Volunteer Day is an excellent opportunity to talk about the positive contribution of volunteering around us.

It is a unique way to create bridges among communities, cross-border organizations, donors, and even countries. It helps us understand our common problems and at the same time gives us an opportunity to share our experiences to bring a positive change around us.

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