Next week is celebrated the volunteer day, so this is my tribute to these very important persons. This post is a summary of two articles published at http://www.un.org/. The first with the title of, "On international volunteer day, Ban highlights how digital-age offers more opportunities for volunteerism." On December,5th 2012. The second with the title of, "Volunteerism one of 'clearest expressions of solidarity in action,' and an effective, sustainable force for development, General Assembly told." On December,5th 2011.
Marking International Volunteer Day, U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon saluted volunteers around the world, saying that the information age had provided them with new opportunities to offer their services. " The timeless act of volunteering in the services of others has taken on new dimensions in digital-age, anyone with an internet connection or a mobile phone can make a difference." He said. The U.N. general assembly designated 5 December as International Volunteer Day in 1985 and its aims to give volunteers everywhere a platform to promote their contribution to development at the local, national and international levels. " As we celebrate the impact of volunteers on our world, let us remember the many places they are needed : in war zones and classrooms, in hospitals and wherever struggling people seek a helping hand. Let us also remember that volunteering can embrace all people, from activists who works full-time, to the citizen who reaches out when he or she can," Mr. Ban said. In a separate message, the executive coordinator for U.N.V. (United Nations Volunteers), Flavia Pansieri, echoed Mr. Ban appreciation of volunteers and said, " volunteerism plays a significant role in achieving the millenium development goals. It plays a healing role by rebuilding trust in a post-conflict society. And its values, of solidarity and engagement, inspire us to live sustainably."
Describing a day in the life of the average U.N. volunteer, Flavia Pansieri said, " that they were working in areas of their professional expertise and sometimes in the context of hardship and danger." Those men and women were doing so because they believed in solidarity and personal commitment. " There is much to celebrate this year in terms of achievements by the volunteer community. The priorities were clear: volunteer activities and their results needed to be documented and new ways to measure those impacts needed to be found. And we can see no better way to celebrate than to have volunteerism recognized as a real and effective force for development," she concluded. Similarly, Helen Clark, administrator of the U.N.D.P. ( an development programme ), noted that the strong links between volunteerism, peace and human development were still not widely acknowledge by governments. Clearly the pursuit of human development and overall well-being could be enhanced by the contribution of volunteerism. Another highlight of the meeting was the launch of the first-ever 'state of the world`s volunteerism report.' Robert Leigh, one of the authors of the survey, pointing to the ongoing impact of popular protests in North Africa and the Middle East, he said that never had the potential been greater for citizens to be primary actors, rather than passive bystanders, in their communities, as well as nationally and globally. " Increasingly, people are able to affect the course of events that shape their destiny. Volunteerism was one of the primary ways for people to get involved," He said. The report also offered a word of warning, he said, " It should not absolve governments and other actors of their responsibilities. They must to play their vital role in ensuring an environment that was conductive for volunteerism to flourish." Vice-president of the general assembly Nassir al-Nasser, said, " Volunteering is the people-centred approach to peace, humanitarian response and sustainable development. It strengthens trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and empowered change from the grassroots up." Nonetheless, the contribution of volunteers had not yet been sufficiently recognized. He said, " together, let us commit to promoting and supporting volunteerism as an important factor to the achievement of international peace and development," He stressed, offering his thanks to the unsung heroes that were volunteers around the world.
Reach out - move, attempt to comunicate.
Reciprocity - situation in which two parties provide the same help to each other.
Enhance - increase the quality, value, or extent of.
Grassroots - the origin or basis of something.
Bystander - person who is present at an event but not take part in it.
