January 1st (01/01/01) is Volunteer Day One, marking the beginning of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV 2001). The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan introduced the International Year of Volunteers 2001 on Tuesday, November 28th by urging governments and institutions worldwide to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions of volunteers. The global launch of IYV 2001 took place on December 5, 2000 the annual International Volunteer Day and International Volunteer Managers Day with national events in more than 100 countries. The key objectives of IYV 2001 will be to recognize the work of millions of volunteerfrom all walks of life and to build a global network among them.
"Societies need to recognize and promote volunteerism as a valuable activity. They must facilitate the work of volunteers, and encourage volunteer action at home and abroad." Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
"I believe that the contribution of volunteerism in creating and enhancing economic and social capital is one of the best-kept secrets of the modern world. Volunteerism remains largely undervalued and overlooked as a positive force for social development. IYV 2001 can turn that around." SharonCapeling-Alakija, UNV Executive Coordinator
"Every hour of every day across the globe, generous men, women and children freely share their time, talents and resources to bring hope and help to those in need. Feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, assisting victims of disaster, vaccinating children, teach people to read - in these and so may other crucial outreach efforts, neighborhoods, their communities, and our world.
Last year in our country, more that half of all adults volunteered their time on behalf of a nonprofit organization. Millions of Americans lend their hearts and hands to faith-based efforts and local, national, and international charitable organizations; hundreds of thousands have served as catalysts for change in the Peace Corp and AmeriCorps.
As the United Nations dedicates 2001 as International Year of Volunteers, I salute the countless volunteers across America and around the world whose compassion, determination, and generosity are creating a brighter future for us all." President Bill Clinton, Proclamation from the White House, December 4, 2000.
As we work day to day in our programs it is often easy to think that our problems and challenges are unique to each of us. We seldom reflect on the global role of volunteers. I had the opportunity to spend time with our colleagues in England in December and I was reminded again of how universal our work is. Volunteers are truly doing amazing things around our globe. IYV 2001 offers us an opportunity to view the broad panorama of volunteerism, to lift up the faces andvoices and efforts of countless volunteers who are working tirelessly in their local communities to change the world. Those of us in the field of volunteer management see these shining stars everyday and I believe it is up to us to raise the consciousness of those around us, in government, business, the media, education, and religion, and encourage them to play a role in making volunteering more visible, more valued and better resourced.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
I want to share a few examples from the global mosaic that is unfoldingin 2001 in the hopes that you find small nuggets to share with your volunteers,your colleagues and your community. Volunteers in 82 countries have set up national committees to plan events for the International Year of Volunteers 2001 - the largest global celebration of volunteers ever conceived.
Australia's National NGO (non government organizations) Committee is planning a series of three national satellite link-ups into community venues, witheach event strategically building a national program of outreach, awareness, participation and activity. Each link-up will be a two-hour event convened throughout a network of over 500 local community venues across Australia.
Costa Rica has adopted a theme for each month of the 2001 year (Friendship and Solidarity - February; Gender and Recreation - March; Youth and Health -April; and Media and Telecommunications - May). There are plans to develop activities for all ages, including a campaign to show that "Children are Volunteers Too."
The Mongolian Volunteer Association has adopted the theme "Giving Your Time Whatever the Time in Life." Activities include a poster completion to increase the concept of volunteers among adults, young people and teenagersof the country. Volunteer teachers will be trained at secondary schools, and aposter, guidebook, calendar and booklet will be published.
The Singapore Broadcasting Authority will launch "Ordinary People," an eight-part documentary series on life stories of volunteers. The goalis to change mindsets towards volunteering by presenting various motivations for volunteering in the community.
January 1st will be celebrated in twenty counties by "First Steps," a series of local walks linked by the theme: "We share a common future." These walks will include a walk around the international base camp atthe South Pole with a team of youth from seven countries to mark humanitarian and environmental, volunteer and community achievements; a pub to pub stroll in rural England; a Mayors parade in Trinidad; a labyrinth walk in New York City; a midnight run/walk in Fort Worth, Dallas; and a crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. www.firststepsone.net
The Community NET - Workers Project is for any school that is currentlyonline in the world. Students will create web sites with and for local non-profit community groups in order to help bridge the digital divide in honor of the International Year of Volunteers 2001. www.communitynetworkers.org
AARP and United Nations Volunteers have initiated a special project to raise international awareness about older person' voluntary contributions to their societies. Organizations are invited to share stories about the abundance of older persons' contributions worldwide. The purpose is to raise awareness aboutvolunteer contributions of older persons and to alter the view of ageing from protection to that of active participation in society for all ages. You are invited to send your stories to: AARP, 780 Third Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA.
On January 14th the International Association for Volunteer Effort willsponsor the 16th World Conference on Volunteering in Amsterdam. Participants from more than 75 countries will have an opportunity to attend over 140 workshops, join in round table discussions and forums about international volunteering, participate in study visits that highlight 22 volunteer projects, and adopt a newUniversal Declaration on Volunteering. I have the great pleasure being invitedto present at this wonderful event. I look forward to strengthening my link with our global community and having an opportunity to visit the home of Anne Frank.
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl
Each of us has an opportunity in 2001 to lift up the faces, stories andimpact of volunteers. I encourage you to contribute to this important event through your organizational newsletters, web sites, local media, professional associations, and Internet connections. Help connect our work and volunteers with ourglobal partners.
As you plan for National Volunteer Week, you might consider purchasing the IYV2001/IAVE Commemorative Medallion with the IYV Logo on one side and on the other side an original work of art, "Faces of Volunteering," designed to symbolize the global volunteer community. (Silver - $25.00; Bi-metal - $7.00). These medallions would be a wonder venue for raising awareness among your board members. To order medallions: IAVE Secretariat, International Association for Volunteer Efforts, 1400 Eye Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20005.
For additional information:
IYV news: www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/global/region/region1.htm
IYV 2001 web site: www.iyv2001.org/cfapps/queries/websites/websites.cfm
IYV Online Volunteer Tapestry: www.iyv2001.org/cfapps/photolib/public/public.htm
US IVY Steering Committee
www.iyv2001us.org
Canadian IVY
www.iyvcanada.org
To share volunteer photos, register at: www.iyv2001.org/cfapps/register/password/password1.cfm
International Volunteer Day, December 5, 2000: www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/calendar/00_12_05launch/launch.htm
IYV Opening Ceremony in New York on 28 November 2000: www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/calendar/00_11_28opening/opening.htm
IYV Media room: www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/media/media.htm
Look Back to Look Ahead Look Back to Look Ahead
International information shared in this article was taken from the IAVE News, a newsletter published three times a year by the International Association for Volunteer Efforts. IAVE is the only international membership organization solely dedicated to promoting, strengthening and celebrating volunteering worldwide. It is a network organization, with individual and organizational members in over 95 countries. IAVE conducts World Volunteer Conferences every two years. Membership is open to any individual or organization that wishes to show solidarity with the worldwide volunteer movement. Be sure to visit their website at www.iave.org