International Volunteer Day – 5th December 2012

PR.MCVS/03/2012

International Volunteers Day 2012

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector is joining the United Nations in commemorating the International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December 2012, to celebrate our commitment and hope for a better world. The main focus of IVD 2012 is awareness of and recognition for volunteers and volunteer organizations. The purpose is to recognise this commitment, to inform people about the impact of volunteering on peace and sustainable development and to applaud volunteers for their dedication.  Volunteering can embrace all people , from the activist who works for a cause full time to the citizen who occasionally reaches out when he or she can. Each sets an example of the spirit of compassion we need. Each makes a valuable contribution to reaching our common goals.

International Volunteer Day (IVD) offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions – at local, national and international levels.  Every day thousands of people are volunteering, contributing to peace and development. “Founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, volunteerism transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

It is for this reason that the MCVS is taking the opportunity to once more celebrate the work of volunteers and encourage the community to contribute, each in one’s own way, towards volunteering and volunteer organisations.  MCVS for the 2nd year is organizing the National Volunteer Award in recognition of volunteers and in the coming days will be presenting it during an award ceremony. Though volunteering is a reward in itself to the volunteer, society is obliged to recognise the contribution of volunteering within our communities, a contribution towards the greater and common good.

Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector