The International Volunteer Day was established as such back in 1985 by the United Nations. Ever since it has been celebrated on 5 December as a recognition to volunteers’ effort and above all as a recognition to universal and timeless values of solidarity, commitment and engagement. Built on these foundations, volunteerism can overcome spatial, linguistic and cultural limitations, offering sense of fulfillment on personal level and a series of benefits on local, regional, national and international level.
Through peoples’ participation change is possible, while once a year, it becomes a reason to celebrate and raise awareness to all opportunities and possibilities that are out there, for making our world a better place.
In the years volunteerism has evolved impressively, being subject to institutionalization and clearer structures. 2001 was proclaimed the International Year of Volunteers, while in the EU 2011 was designated as the European Year of Volunteering. With symbolic actions of this kind, volunteers’ determination comes into recognition, while universal values gather into a single sense of purpose, thus getting new supporters all the time. Moreover, in the digital era online volunteering is possible too. Volunteers are invited to offer their expertise and knowledge towards sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet. Every day thousands of people are volunteering, online or on-site, contributing to peace and development, working to achieve the MDGs and engaging people to shape the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
As there is no material reward behind, the act of volunteerism is complete of personal motivation and a vision of a better world. For 2014 the UN decided on the theme of people’s participation through the motto: Make change happen, volunteer! As we all have our own vision of the change, we can see it coming through our own actions and through volunteering. Moving from the abstract to local and concrete, motivation behind is multifaceted indeed. Among other, acquiring career experience, various skills, knowledge, learning and new acquaintances and friends make a long list of reasons to participate. Having fun, getting life-impressions and personal fulfillment from offering, sense of adventure and private interest in getting the job done are personal statements adding to the possible motivators.
Turning our sight to governance, volunteerism is the citizens’ way to demonstrate the benefits of including people in decision making and promoting change for the better. In turn, participation leads to a stronger governance and social cohesion. However, there are no strategies and achievement of the MDG possible without peace and this is where most effort is put. Peace-building and sustainable development stand in the heart of volunteerism which opens spaces for dialogue and civic responsibility.
As an acknowledgement of the inestimable work and contribution offered by volunteers to the action of organisations like CESIE, we embrace the message delivered by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for International Volunteer Day 2014: “On this International Volunteer Day, let us be inspired by the many individuals who selflessly serve others, and let us resolve to do our part to contribute, freely and proactively, to change conditions now towards a better future for all.”
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