Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe has great potential to reduce poverty among communities through promoting and supporting volunteer activities as many of its people are willing to donate their valuable time and resources to assist others, a United Nations representative said.  Read article

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: A "Volunteer Fair" will be held in Trinidad and Tobago to mark International Volunteer Day, in the capital Port of Spain. The event will bring together several volunteer-involving and non-profit organizations and advocate volunteerism for development in the country.  Read article

Abuja, Nigeria: Leading volunteer-involving organizations in Nigeria have organized the country's first volunteer summit with the theme "Volunteerism: the Foundation for National Development," to be held on 4-5 December to mark International Volunteer Day.  Read article

Roma, Italia: Per decisione assunta dall’Assemblea delle Nazioni Unite nel 1985, il 5 dicembre di ogni anno, viene dedicata un’attenzione particolare all’impegno che i volontari assumono in tutto il mondo.  Read article

Sao Paolo, Brazil: Evento de entrega do Prêmio Exemplo Voluntário 2007 tem atrações especiais nesse ano de 2007 O Dia Internacional do Voluntário a ser comemorado no próximo dia 5 de dezembro, contará com o evento de entrega do Prêmio Exemplo Voluntário, iniciativa que está na sua 4ª edição e que premia 10 voluntários de ong's e 10 voluntários que atuam em escolas públicas.  Read article

In his message for International Volunteer Day 2007, UNV Executive Coordinator Ad de Raad recognized the power of volunteerism in building social capital and cohesion, and its contribution to development. He also took this opportunity to express his appreciation to the millions of volunteers, saying "Regardless at what level they (volunteers) act, internationally, nationally or locally, all belong to an extraordinary group of global citizens who make an essential difference in building a better world for all."   Read article

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon emphasized the critical role of voluntary action in achieving global efforts in his message for International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2007. He states that governments can not halt the effects of global warming or obtain the Millennium Development Goals alone. "We need people everywhere to volunteer for this challenge, and to help communities mitigate the effects of climate change. Voluntary action is also critical to build domestic solutions for sustainable economic growth, and to develop capacities to prepare for and respond to natural disasters."  Read article

In his International Volunteer Day 2007 message, UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis noted that "volunteerism is one of the most important manifestations of trust and solidarity within and between communities." He also highlighted the value of volunteerism to the economy and its critical role in helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals, "Volunteers are critical partners for development and deserve every support and recognition for their contribution to development efforts around the world."  Read article

Sydney, Australia: Australian Volunteers International will celebrate the work and commitment of its volunteers with the launch of its new full colour coffee table book "A Place in the World: Stories from Australian Volunteers International" on International Volunteer Day, 5 December.   Read article

Kingston, Jamaica: He's proud of his jet-black skin and his African heritage. He is a Rastafarian who embraces unity and oneness. But, this 24-year-old native of White Horses, St. Thomas, is more than that. He is a super volunteer who goes by the very unusual name, 'Melenin'. Such is Omar Ryan, a recent recipient of the Governor-General Youth Award for Excellence in Volunteerism.   Read article