International Volunteer Day (IVD)

Date: December 5
Theme 2024: Diverse volunteers, stronger communities

Celebrating Volunteerism

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an annual observance mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to recognize the dedication and selflessness of volunteers worldwide. It celebrates the critical role of volunteers in creating people-led solutions to global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why Volunteerism Matters

Volunteers are the cornerstone of building stronger, more resilient communities. They:

• Address global challenges like climate change, conflicts, and social injustices.
• Foster a culture of intergenerational collaboration to achieve shared goals.
• Allow communities to actively participate in their development, ensuring solutions are inclusive and sustainable.

The Impact of Volunteerism

• Approximately 862.4 million volunteers aged 15 and over contribute their time and energy globally.
• Informal volunteering (14.3% participation globally) remains more common than formal volunteering (6.5%).
• While formal volunteering is typically led by men, informal volunteering sees greater participation from women.

2024 Highlights

This year, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) focuses on:

• Community-driven activities with national and UN system partners.
• Promoting Online Volunteering, which has become a digital powerhouse in peacebuilding, humanitarian efforts, and development.
• Amplifying volunteers’ voices through a social media campaign (#IVD2024).

Be Inspired to Volunteer

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, encourages everyone to emulate the dedication of volunteers, stating:

“Volunteers embody the best of humanity. On this important day, let’s draw inspiration from their example, and resolve to do our part to help shape a better world for all.”

Call to Action

• Join the Movement: Engage in local or global volunteer opportunities.
• Become an Online Volunteer: Use your skills remotely to support peace, humanitarian, and development efforts.
• Spread Awareness: Recognize and thank volunteers using #IVD2024 on social media.

Volunteering shows us the best of humanity — creating bridges between communities and generations while shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

Key Reports and Resources

• Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda: Learn how volunteers contribute to achieving the SDGs.
• State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR): A comprehensive look at global volunteerism trends and challenges.

For more resources, visit the IVD 2024 Trello Board or connect with UN Volunteers to get involved.