Volunteer IYV Bhutan Stamps Launch - 15 June 2001

Four IYV2001 Stamps issued by Bhutan Post in collaboration with IYV-UNV Bhutan, are being officially launched on June 15. The stamp designs are the result of a nationwide contest on the theme of Volunteerism in which more than 800 school children participated.

For Jerusha Tamang of Changzamtog Jr. High School, “Volunteerism is like a small plant that can only survive if we nurture it” as his painting illustrates, and for Kumar Gazmer of Lhuentse Jr. High School, the concept fills him with optimism. “We can make our planet a paradise through volunteerism,” he says.
From cleaning the school playground, to organizing a charity show, whatever the level of the school student, both are “demonstrations of volunteerism and team work” explains Kinley Zam of Phensum Primary School. For Azita Gazmer, of Khuruthang Jr. High School, the word “Volunteer” represents people who “contribute to human need in the community or worldwide.”

These four young winners, will be attending the official launch of the IYV Stamps on June 15, 2001 at VAST (Voluntary Artists Studio in Thimphu) which perfectly illustrates volunteerism, arts and youth for this event. Mr. Gem Tshering, General Manager of Operations at Bhutan Post launch the stamps and guest speaker will be Mr. Pema Wangda, Secretary of NEB and member of the IYV Steering Committee.

The International Year of the Volunteer (IYV) was officially launched on the last December 5.

The Bhutanese IYV National Steering Committee comprised of high level government, international agencies and private sector representatives, have been addressing policy and institutional levels in support of voluntary sector development. In parallel, the IYV Task Force has undertaken various advocacy activities to promote the concept of volunteerism from a nationwide essay contest, to publications and a television series production.

The set of four IYV 2001 stamps (Nu. 3, Nu.4, Nu. 10 and Nu.15) is available for sale at Bhutan Post.

For more information please contact Sonia Josserand-Mercier at: sonia.jm@undp.org

To order stamps, visit : http://www.iyv2001.org/infobase/press/01_06_15BTN_un.htm