International Volunteer Day

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed every year on the 5^th of December. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. The UNGA adopted the Resolution A/RES/40/212 on December 17^th, 1985. The international day is observed to promote volunteering culture and the importance of volunteering in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The day is observed in several countries across the world – about 80 countries have been marking the day over the past 6 years. The day was initially receiving very little global attention. After the UN’s 5 year plan to promote it, the observance has increased since 2012.The theme for 2019 edition is ‘Volunteering for an Inclusive Future’. The theme is in line with the SDG no. 10 i.e. reducing inequalities and to pursue an equal society. The United Nations launched two campaigns in light of the International Day: #IVD2019 and #volunteer4inclusion.