2011 is IYV+10

Ten years ago, in 2001, the International Year of Volunteers celebrated the effort and commitment of tens of millions of volunteers who strive to make a difference. This year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and more than 40 major international volunteer-based organisations will engage the will, positive energy and innovation of millions of people towards realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through the achievement of community-centered objectives.

"Volunteers take action in many areas and in all societies. Volunteers don't wait for others to solve their problems for them - they engage with their own knowledge and capacities and play an essential role as active citizens shaping their societies," says Flavia Pansieri, the Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

"For this international year, we're focusing on what really matters: protecting volunteers, promoting the work they're doing, and recognising the real impact they have on communities across the globe", says International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretary General, Bekele Geleta.

Dr. Kang Hyun Lee, President of the International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE), says, "Volunteering is a fundamental building block of civil society. It brings to life the noblest aspirations of humankind - the pursuit of peace, freedom, opportunity, safety, and justice for all people".

With the right support and infrastructure, volunteer efforts are a true complementary component of any institutional peace, development and humanitarian effort. In marking this year, volunteer-based organisations will not only promote and recognise the diversity of volunteerism initiatives worldwide, but also call on governments, UN entities and civil society actors to engage in creating an enabling environment to support volunteerism. 

» See UN information on IYV+10 (PDF 161KB)

Awareness of the importance and far-reaching impact of volunteering has risen following events such as the Canterbury and Haiti earthquakes, the Australian floods, and other recent crises and natural disasters.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) organisation is preparing the first ever report on the State of the World's Volunteerism.

Produced by the United Nations with the assistance of consultants and academics from around the world, the report is set to be launched on International Volunteer Day - 5 December 2011. The Report is expected to address what is meant by volunteerism, why people volunteer their time, the many ways people choose to volunteer and the impact of this engagement.

» Read more about the development of the State of the World's Volunteerism report

As part of IYV+10, New Zealand will join the rest of the world in reflecting on what has been achieved in the decade since 2001 and what needs to happen to raise the bar for volunteering into the future.

Kiwi volunteering highlights during 2011 include:

• the national Volunteering Conference in May
• Volunteer Awareness Week in June
• the Rugby World Cup 2011
• more new research insights about volunteers from the Quarterly Giving Indicators
• the continuation of VNZ's development project for management of volunteers

Plus a range of other events and activities being planned by a range of volunteer-involving organisations.

» Watch the OCVS and Volunteering NZ websites for more news as IYV+10 progresses

Volunteerism is about people helping, learning and actively participating in communities. It is a cross-cutting social phenomenon that involves all groups in society and all aspects of human activity. It can take many different forms, depending on cultural and economic realities of countries and communities.

Four expressions of volunteerism evolved out of IYV 2001:

• Mutual aid
• Philanthropy or service to others
• Participation or civic engagement
• Advocacy or campaigning

» Read more about these four expressions in Volunteerism & Legislation: A Guidance Note (PDF 297KB)

The International Year of Volunteers 2001 marked a turning point in the recognition of volunteering in New Zealand.

» Download the Report of the Ministerial Reference Group for International Year of Volunteers 2001  (PDF, 673KB).