Celebrating International Volunteer Day Caribbean-wide: The power of collective action
UN Volunteers across the region spent the day doing community work and meeting senior UN officials at special events hosted in their honour.
Every 5 December the world unites to observe International Volunteer Day (IVD). Since its proclamation in 1985 by the UN General Assembly, the day has provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the one billion plus people who volunteer worldwide. Their collective efforts help to create a more just, inclusive and peaceful world.
This year, IVD was celebrated under the theme “If everyone did...”, which challenged each of us to imagine a world where everyone did their part by volunteering in whatever way they could.
What would happen if everyone did? When you consider the impact volunteers have had on promoting peace and development globally, the answer is clear: we could solve the world's greatest challenges.
In the Caribbean, there are more than eighty professionals who volunteer full-time with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes as UN Volunteers (UNVs) under the United Nations Volunteers programme. This year, four Caribbean countries joined the IVD 2023 celebrations with special events that placed a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of these UNVs.
A volunteer trip in Barbados. Destination: Zero Hunger
In Barbados, national and international UNVs joined the Slow Food Movement to develop food security activities.
UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, and Heads of the UN Agencies in the country met with the UNVs as the day started to thank them for their contributions in advancing the work of the UN in the region. Feeling motivated, they parted with the famous Bajan Open Bus and visited a community where they planted trees, cleaned-up local community gardens and helped prepare soups to deliver to families in need.
"Being able to serve the kids and people of St. Andrew in growing fresh food and feeding families brought us back to the basics and reminded us why we all enlisted to serve as UNVs. To have done this activity together brought out the best in us and proved that we're all in this together. It shows what we can really do #IfEveryoneDid.“, said Java Sealy, UN Volunteer serving as Social Media Communications Assistant with the Resident Coordinator Office.
Discover more about IVD 2023 in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean here.
Engaging with civil society volunteer organisations in Guyana
In Georgetown, Guyana, the IVD 2023 celebration recognised volunteerism as an invaluable mechanism for civil society to engage in the sustainable development of their communities.
Nuala Lawlor, Country Coordinator for the UN Volunteers programme in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean visited the country and met with volunteer-based organisations, such as US Peace Corps, Rotary/Roteract Clubs, Lions/Leos members. Together, they discussed volunteerism in Guyana and how they can collectively enhance a volunteer environment.
The day after the celebration, Nuala met with representatives from the University of Guyana to invite more people from the region to have a professional full-time experience in the UN as a volunteer. She also was interviewed on the Guyana Today morning show, where she further explained what it means to volunteer for the UN.
Discover more about IVD 2023 in Guyana here.
Recognising UN Volunteers contributions in Trinidad and Tobago
The UN System in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated IVD 2023 recognising the invaluable contributions of the 14 UNVs serving in the country. With a variety of professional profiles, they support the UN advancing children’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, crime prevention, financial inclusion, communications for development and women’s rights.
During a meeting convening the Resident Coordination Office and all UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes deployed in the island, UNVs were praised by their hard work, professionalism, motivation and dedication.
"The cadre of UN Volunteers we have across the UN System here, both nationals and internationals, is truly impressive. These people bring enthusiasm, innovation and passion to exciting projects on youth, data and digital finance, to name a few," said UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana. "They are testament to the deep footprint that volunteerism can have on the search for solutions to development challenges."
Celebrating UN Volunteers’ hard work and motivation in Jamaica
In Jamaica, UN Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu gathered with members of Jamaica's UN Country Team to honour the committed efforts of the UNVs serving in the country.
The room buzzed with gratitude as these volunteers recounted their impactful experiences from the field; some from countries around the world. Agency heads joined the celebration, offering words of appreciation and valuable insights to nurture the professional growth of UNVs within the development arena.
“Being with all of you truly inspires an older UN head like me. If everyone volunteered, especially young people, the ripple effect would transform communities, promote peace, and drive sustainable development,” Zulu said.
“My UN experience has been one beyond my wildest dreams. Not only has it been professionally enriching, but I have been able to contribute directly to community change, in ways I can see with my own eyes. Being with all the volunteers today is a reminder that the power to shape a brighter future lies in the hands of each individual, and through our collective action, the world can indeed become a better place,” Priyanka Mais said, UN Volunteer serving as Economics and Data Management Assistant within the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.
How to become a UN Volunteer
Interested in knowing more? Discover how to become a UN Volunteer in the Caribbean, and the benefits you’ll receive for your full-time commitment here: bit.ly/DecideToVolunteer
Follow @UN Volunteers Caribbean on LinkedIn and stay tuned to latest news, vacancies and application tips.
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