If we are to meet the challenges of climate change, citizens of developing countries must be equally involved. In India, a nation of more than a billion people, 'Volunteering for our Planet' extended across every area of society - from schools and universities to the private sector. Read about the multitude of activities in the country that contributed the largest number of hours towards the 'Volunteering for our Planet' campaign.
India is a rapidly developing country where a billion plus people live, but paradoxically many of them with a huge gap in living standards. Environment is a major concern for the Government, UN and other many development organizations. Low literacy rate, poverty, changing lifestyle and rapid industrialization are reasons, among many others, to climate change, pollution and other impact of global warming.
UNV India played a role of leadership for IVD 2009 involving Swechha, UNDP India, VSO, American Center, Times Foundation, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Department of Environment Govt. of Delhi, NFI, Tehelka, NDTV, Radio MEOW, The YP Foundation and Jamghat joined hands to celebrate and commemorate International Volunteer Day on the 5th of December 2009. International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to acknowledge the potential that volunteers promise towards betterment of social conditions, promotion of economic development, and empowering people to take charge.
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with local partners - Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) and Bakul Foundation - jointly commemorated the International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5th December 2009 at Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The theme for this year’s IVD celebration in Orissa was “Volunteering for our Planet” which recognized the crucial role of volunteers in addressing issue like global warming, climate change and the need for environment protection. Nearly 700 participants from all across Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas took part in the IVD celebrations.
