Jakarta

PRESS RELEASE

Spirit of Volunteerism Celebrated in Indonesia

International Day marks launch of year for national and global recognition for the
contributions made by Volunteers

Jakarta | 5 December – Community celebrations in Papua, a charity marathon in Yogyakarta and street
cleanings in Bali will mark the International Volunteers Day (IVD) in Indonesia on 5-6 December 2010.
December 5th is also the launch day of the International Year of Volunteers + 10 (IYV+10), which aims to
recognize the significant contributions made by volunteers at both the global and national level.

“This Day is an opportunity for us to appreciate the many men and women who volunteer every day in
support of Indonesian communities. Volunteers stand ready to save lives and rebuild communities, from
the hills of Yogyakarta in the aftermath of volcanic eruption to neighborhoods of Wasior affected by
floods,” says El-Mostafa Benlamlih, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia in his
message for the International Day of Volunteers. Mr. Benlamlih also highlighted those volunteers who
work in response to more latent, but destructive crises such as poverty, maternal and child mortality and
illiteracy, saying that they “remain at the heart of our joint efforts towards achieving the Millennium
Development Goals in Indonesia.”

In Papua, where local communities in the District of Sarmi have marked the IVD by organizing movie
screening, youth photo contests and peer discussions on local expressions of volunteerism, Governor
Barnabas Suebu commended the work of volunteers for dedicating their time and their skills to the
common wellbeing of the Province. “Whether it is a university volunteer who works with villagers in
remote community in Wamena to fight malnutrition or a community facilitator who supported a group of
women entrepreneurs to develop their dried fruit business in Fakfak, these volunteers understand all too
well our deeply-rooted tradition of giving back to our communities,” Governor Suebu said. “We are
happy to mark the International Volunteer Day in Sarmi and are looking forward to fully maximize the
benefits of volunteerism for the development of Papua.”

The celebrations in Sarmi are organized through the collective effort of local government, Ministry of
Manpower and Transmigration Office in Papua, the Cendrawasih University, local youth and volunteer
organizations and United National Volunteers (UNV).

Putting the Indonesian IVD and IYV+10 events in global perspective, Flavia Pansieri, UNV Executive
Coordinator, mentioned that “In Indonesia, as in other countries marking the IVD and launching the
IYV+10 today (5/12), working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) require the
solidarity and contribution of many ordinary people through voluntary action. Recognizing the role that
volunteerism has played and can play in the future, the Government of Indonesia and its international
counterparts are commended for actively incorporating its citizens in achieving the MDGs.”

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UN Information Centre in Jakarta | Menara Thamrin Building, 3A floor, Jalan MH Thamrin, kav. 3, Jakarta 10250 |
Tel: +6221 3983-1011/1013 , E-mail: unic-jakarta@unic-jakarta.org ; http://www.unic-jakarta.org
About International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly through
Resolution 40/212 on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society
organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on 5
December. In 2010, the theme of IVD is ‘Volunteerism for the Millennium Development Goals’.

About International Year of Volunteers + 10

2001 was proclaimed as the International Year of Volunteers or ’IYV’ to enhance the recognition,
facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteer service (United Nations General Assembly
Resolution A/Res/52/17 of 1997). Thanks to volunteers and their supporters, 123 national committees
were set-up by the end of 2001, and measures were taken to enhance volunteerism around the
world.

Follow-up reports led the General Assembly to call for the marking of the tenth anniversary of the
International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10) in 2011 (A/Res/63/153). The United Nations Volunteers
(UNV) programme has been designated as the focal point for IYV+10.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

For English
Iulia Sevciuc, UNV Programme Officer
Menara Thamrin Building, 9th floor
Jakarta, 10250, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 3141308 | Mob: +62 85880082757 | E-mail: iulia.sevciuc@undp.org

For Bahasa Indonesia

Adila Arief, National Information Officer
Menara Thamrin Building, 9th floor
Jakarta, 10250, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 39831-1011 | Mob: +62 8111891736 | E-mail: adila.arief@unic-jakarta.org

For more information on IVD and IYV+10 global events, please visit:
www.worldvolunteerweb.org; www.unv.org; www.facebook.com/unvolunteers

UN Information Centre in Jakarta | Menara Thamrin Building, 3A floor, Jalan MH Thamrin, kav. 3, Jakarta 10250 |
Tel: +6221 3983-1011/1013 , E-mail: unic-jakarta@unic-jakarta.org ; http://www.unic-jakarta.org