Inspiration in action About Us How to Volunteer Resources Perspectives Events Contact Us UNDP India Website Recent Event A Tribute to Volunteerism:  UNV volunteers Celebrate International Volunteer Day 5 December 2008, India December 5 every year is dedicated to volunteerism and its contributions to communities and to development. Volunteerism is recognized as a powerful resource to engage people in the pursuit of peace and development. In India, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) observed this day with the re-launch of the new UNV HQ online volunteerism website, an exhibition in Delhi, and a volunteer fair in Orissa. Women artisans, associated with the NGO Kala Raksha, from Kutch in Gujarat exhibited their art in Delhi. The Delhi-based UNV volunteers met the women artisans to better understand their lives and livelihoods. These women who come from marginalized backgrounds shared their concerns about water related issues and gender dimension of water management. Scarcity of water dominates the lives of these women from Kutch. In Orissa, a one-day Volunteer Fair was organized in partnership with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). The Fair drew in potential volunteers, mainly young people. It raised awareness of the need and opportunities to give back to society through volunteering. It was also a platform for NGOs in need of volunteers to show their work. In addition, UNDP Orissa also organized a round table discussion on “Volunteerism in Resettlement and Rehabilitation”. The fair received much press coverage that noted its uniqueness and wealth of opportunities to serve society. © UNV India, 2009 - All Rights Reserved