FORUM: "If everyone did..." International Volunteer Day 2023. The theme of this year's IVD will center on the power of everyone - collective action - if everyone did. If everyone volunteered the world would be a better place. Imagine more than eight billion of us volunteering. Limitless possibilities for sustainable development - food and education for everyone, clean environment and good health, inclusive and peaceful societies, and more. As the world garners support to deal with mounting challenges, it's the volunteers who are the first ones to help. Volunteers are at the fore in crises and emergencies, often in very testing and dire situations. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #5December, #InternationalVolunteerDay, #IVD2023, #Ifeveryonedid.
This year’s theme — “If everyone did…” — underscores the importance of collective action,
cooperation, and people-led solutions to global challenges like poverty, inequalities, conflict, the
climate crisis, food insecurity and more.
In every community on the planet, volunteers are taking action to support the most vulnerable
people, including in the midst of conflict and other humanitarian emergencies.
Young volunteers are joining the fight for climate action, pressing governments, businesses and
policymakers to take the decisions needed to end this planetary emergency.
Our own UN Volunteers hail from more than 160 countries, and are helping to spur peace and
sustainable development, and the realization of human rights, for people around the world.
On this important day, let’s re-commit to ensuring that all people can lend their energies to
shaping a better future for all people and the planet we share.
Let’s stand with volunteers, everywhere.
United Nations Secretary-General.
OTHERS STATEMENTS:
"As International Volunteer Day 2023 is marked on 5 December, I thanks the 1 billion volunteers worldwide serving their communities every day." Watch the video Statement of the UNDP Administrator on International Volunteer Day for Peace and Development 2023; December 5th."Volunteers are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under rubble. They step in when there is no mechanism to reach the front line. This is the reality of volunteers who, despite everything, just don't give up." Watch the video Statement of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day 2023.
"Today I say to all volunteers around the globe: Thank you. For choosing to improve the world. For finding inspiration to act. For creating solutions. For keeping our hopes alive." Watch the Message of the UNV Executive coordinator on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day 2023; December 5th.
EVENTS: More than a billion volunteer around the world act for solidarity and humanity for people and planet. IVD is a day to pay tribute to volunteers worldwide and to recognize the value of volunteerism in peace and development.The International Volunteer Day 2023 activities are taking place around the world including seven high-level events co-hosted by Governments in Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Iraq, Ireland, Tanzania, Thailand, and Togo. From the national caravan of volunteering in Togo to the climate-conscious activities of tree planting in Azerbaijan to the wheelchair journey of volunteers with disabilities in Thailand - each event will amplify the diversity of volunteering around the globe. Countries and volunteer groups will mark the spirit of volunteerism together with communities, academia, volunteer-involving organizations, and UN agencies. United Nations Volunteer Staff at Headquarters in Bonn will also participate in a volunteering activity to mark IVD and demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism among local residents.
