Saturday 5th December is International Volunteer Day (IVD) and what a year it has been for volunteers all over the world.  In particular, this year we have seen University of Limerick students going above and beyond the meaning of volunteer as they gave their time to help in their local communities, organisations and the many charities that needed suppport through this crisis. 

We in The Community Liaison Office would like to say a huge THANK YOU and also to recognise how amazing our student volunteers are. We recently held our 10th Annual PVA Ceremony to formally acknowledge the efforts of all our student volunteers. 

Since March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on Irish citizens, volunteers have been at the forefront of medical, community and societal responses all over the country.

IVD is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer organisations and individual volunteers to make their contributions visible – at local, national and international levels – to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Apart from mobilising thousands of volunteers every year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme works closely with partners and governments to establish national volunteer programmes to create structures that foster and sustain local volunteerism in countries. Through the Online Volunteering service, volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organisations over the Internet.

This year’s IVD campaign will thank volunteers worldwide and also shed light on the difficulties and needs of volunteers during the pandemic. Showing the impact of volunteers in their communities during this crisis, we will reach to all corners of the globe with the message of Together We Can Through Volunteering.