Culture Ministry spearheads activities to mark International Volunteer Day

INTERNATIONAL Volunteer Day (IVD) will be observed on December 5, 2013; and the Volunteerism Support Platform (VSP) of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has partnered with several organizations to plan a calendar of activities to celebrate this day.

This was disclosed by Volunteerism and Youth Development Specialist at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Lesley Abraham, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
Habitat for Humanity yesterday held an activity which saw volunteers participating in that organisation’s “Build Day” to build houses and other constructions in Georgetown and on the West Bank of Demerara.
On December 4, the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and Pick It Up Guyana (PIUG) would lead an activity wherein volunteers would conduct environmental sensitisation and training activities for youths within the Georgetown area.
On IVD, December 5, the Ministry of Health would facilitate an activity which will see volunteers participating in the ministry’s cleanup campaign at the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown as part of the ministry’s Health and Wellness Campaign
On that day also, a public ceremony will be held from 11:00 hours to 12:00 hours at the Guyana National Service (GNS) Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue. It will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and CUSO International; and 2014 volunteerism calendars will be distributed and a video to promote and recognise the work of volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations will be shown.
On Sunday, December 8, the National Commission (NCD) will engage volunteers in a process to register persons with disabilities in the Rose Hall/Corentyne area.
International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 17th December 1985, and is observed to celebrate and recognise the contributions and achievements of volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations across the world, for their contributions to peace and development in their communities and at any other level.
Since establishment of this day, Governments, the UN system and civil society organisations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate this day.
Volunteering is an essential part of citizenship and community, and gives individuals and organisations the opportunity to proactively make change and voice their approaches to address societal challenges and issues.
Volunteering also makes a significant contribution to strengthening the capacities of all sectors to promote the development agenda, while also providing benefits to both volunteers and organisations.
The VSP aims to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteerism within Guyana through partnership with Government, private sector and civil society.
For more information, and to participate as a volunteer in any of these activities, persons can make contact with the VSP at 227-7575 or nvspguyana@gmail.com.

(By Chriseana Ramrekha)

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