Volunteerism report to be launched tomorrow

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) in Sri Lanka will celebrate the International Volunteer Day 2011 tomorrow with the South Asia Launch of the first State of the World's Volunteerism Report (SWVR) and Volunteer Awards (V-Awards) 'Unveiling the Finalists'.

Due to its impressive contributions in volunteerism, Sri Lanka has been chosen to launch the report in South Asia and key officials, from the UNV Head Office in Germany as well as the UN country team in Sri Lanka, will be present to deliver an overview of the report and explain its importance to the region and to the island.

The launch will take place at the Ceylon Continental Hotel in Colombo at 9.45 am.

The global SWVR will bring to light an unacknowledged renewable resource that is more than just a tool for economic development.

It offers opportunities for all to be active in their societies and become agents of change. The underlying values of volunteerism are key to moving the world towards a more sustainable future.

"Volunteering occurs in every society in the world. The terms which define it and the forms of its expression may vary in different languages and cultures, but the values which drive it are common and universal: a desire to contribute to the common good, out of free will and in a spirit of solidarity, without expectation of material reward," states Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Headquarters, New York, USA. This report will help move volunteerism into a new era in which its true dimensions and significance are an integral part of the general discourse on global issues.

The SWVR will demonstrate the universality, scope and reach of volunteerism along with new trends in the 21st century.

It is anticipated that this report and its successor reports will result in fundamental changes.

These will affect the perception, discussion, research and practice of volunteerism for peace and development in the future. V-Awards is an initiative of the National Steering Committee of the International Year of Volunteers Tenth Anniversary (IYV +10) in collaboration with News 1st. The concept behind this is to honour individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the society and to identify the role models and champions who can inspire a nation to volunteer for social causes.

Twenty-seven of Sri Lanka's most inspiring citizens will be recognised for their voluntary contributions at the V-Awards 'Unveiling of the Finalists' tomorrow.