Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen

- Your Excellency the Governor of Kandal Province

- Excellencies Ambassadors, Representatives from the diplomatic mission

- Ms.Dominique McAdams, Resident Coordinator of the UN System Operational

Activities for Development and staff members of all UN Agencies in Cambodia

- Representatives of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

- Red Cross staff, members and volunteers

- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is the particular pride for the Cambodian Red Cross, having Her Majesty the Queen as Honorary President, receiving full support from His Majesty the King, to launch officially the International Year of Volunteers 2001 together with the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, UN Agencies and other International and Non-Governmental Organizations.

I am also very pleased to be here at the Child Mental Health Center. I am impressed with the aim of this facility to become a national level human resource development centre catering for the needs of children at risk, in difficult circumstances, and with neuro-psychiatric and development disabilities.

The speech the United Nations Representative has highlighted the importance of this day which reflects the noble mission and the value of VOLUNTEERS worldwide. The International Year of the Volunteer is an expression of appreciation for their volunteering activities for the humanitarian purpose, for world peace and social welfare.

Cambodian Red Cross has a network of nearly 5 000 Red Cross Volunteers throughout the countries. Our Volunteers have played a crucial role in the community development by building up the capacity of the community in the disaster preparedness and response, in the community based first aid, health care, water sanitation, clean-up campaign and raising the awareness of community residents on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, basic Principles of the Red Cross, basic International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Our Volunteers have been trained with basic skills that serve to benefit their own community. Our Volunteers have a good comprehension of their Voluntary Service. Despite their own difficulties in earning a livelihood, they are committed to volunteering as a contribution to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people, to alleviate poverty. Our Volunteers have been recognized in their activities to prepare themselves and community for disasters, to prevent infectious diseases, to take care of family health and to mobilize forces in serving communities. When disasters strike, when epidemics break out, Volunteers act. They help people: rescue, evacuation, data collection, provision of situation reports, assessment of the needs, seeking assistance from within and outside the community. Obviously, our Red Cross volunteers, in cooperation with local authorities and other partners been have heavily involved in this year's flood operation: from the first hour of the flooding to the current recovery and rehabilitation.

CRC volunteers are linked to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement network of volunteers, who are always at the front line in helping the most vulnerable people, wherever they are found. The President of the International Federation, Dr. Astrid Heiberg, is inspired by the work of the Movement’ s millions of members and volunteers and says she feels at home when she spend time with them.

We, all, recognize that the volunteer gives part of his/her life to others without expecting anything in return, sometimes not even thanks for his/her service.

The International Federation has a policy guideline for the strengthening the volunteer network. This policy actively seeks to recruit volunteers irrespective of their race, ethnic background, gender, religious belief, disability and age on the basis of their commitment and potential. The CRC has recent experience of Volunteer from overseas: The Statutes of the CRC was revised with the assistance of a legal advisor who is a volunteer with the Danish Red Cross and the International Federation Cambodian Delegation is hosting an Australian Youth Ambassador who is helping to develop the Red Cross Youth program. Next year, the CRC will host an Australian volunteer who will help to build up the capacity of the CRC Communication Department.

During this International Year of the Volunteers, the Cambodian Red Cross and the whole Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will celebrate on 3 occasions:

. Today, 5 December to mark the start of International Year of Volunteers 2001;

. 8 May 2001, to celebrate the World Red Cross Red Crescent Day under global theme:

Volunteering Initiative;

. 5 December 2001, the closing of the International Year of Volunteers 2001.

During the year, many national societies will be organizing workshops, seminars, activities which motivate and promote volunteers. For CRC, abiding by the policy guideline of the International Federation in the New Millennium to reinforce the importance of volunteering to the Movement, our national society will strengthen its volunteer network. We have learnt a lot from this year flood. After the worst flood of the last decades, CRC will actively seek to expand its volunteer network in the highly affected flood areas and to further strengthen and develop the capacity of the existing volunteers. We are going to profile outstanding volunteers.

The contribution to Peace, welfare and alleviation of poverty in Cambodia has also been involved by the UN Volunteers and Volunteers of other international and non-governmental organization, at great cost. I vividly recall the deaths of Japanese UN Volunteers here in Cambodia. We are here today to launch the Opening of the International Year of Volunteers at this Child Mental Health Center, where volunteers have contributed their efforts, their strength, their solidarity in the renovation, in the care of the handicap, the care of their society. They join together for a better world to live, for world free from war, violence, crimes.

The outstanding volunteers of today will encourage the participation of others in volunteering. Join us in serving one another, in caring of our society.

To the conclusion of the opening of this important event, may I take this opportunity to thank Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen for your participation in this meeting, for your contribution to the organization of the event, for your joining efforts to have this Centre Renovated. May Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen join with me in expressing our admiration, appreciation to every volunteer, who have contributed their life to the service of others. Our achievement could not be realized without their involvement, their commitment.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to emphasize that the Cambodian Red Cross owes deep gratitude to Their Majesties the King and Queen. Their devotion to humanitarian activities has constituted solid foundation to the achievements of the national society, has encouraged the participation of people of all strata in the humanitarian voluntary service.

Please accept my sincere Buddhist best wishes of Ayu, Vannak, Sokha, Poleak and Pade Pheanak.

May I declare open the International Year of Volunteers 2001 starting today.