05 国际志愿人员日 International Volunteer Day

Come on everybody. Get up and do something. December the 5th is International Volunteer Day. This highly important day was started by the United Nations in 1985. Its aim is twofold: first, to thank volunteers around the world for giving their time to help others; and second, to encourage other people to do voluntary work. Without volunteers, many people around the world would be worse off. In fact, the whole world would be a darker place. Volunteers help other people and help animals, the countryside, the environment and many more things that are so important to us. The UN urges governments around the world to take measures to heighten awareness of the important contribution of volunteering.

There are thousands of volunteer organizations around the world. Some of them are very famous. Perhaps everyone has heard of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), the Peace Corps, and Muslim Aid. A search on the Internet will pretty much give you a volunteer group on anything or anyone you want to help. You don’t need to join a worldwide group to be a volunteer. Most voluntary work that takes place around the globe is by individuals helping their neighbours. We have probably all gone out of our way to help someone less fortunate. The great thing about voluntary work is that it makes you feel like a better person. So please, on this International Volunteer Day, think about how you can help, and offer your services.

1985年12月17日，第四十届联合国大会通过决议，从1986年起，每年的12月5日为“国际促进经济和社会发展志愿人员日”（International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development 简称：国际志愿人员日）。其目的是敦促各国政府通过庆祝活动唤起更多的人以志愿者的身份从事社会发展和经济建设事业。