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Policy documents: United Nations
In the period leading up to the International Year of Volunteers 2001, and during the Year itself, there was a high level of exposure at national and international levels given to volunteerism. This was instrumental in the  consideration given by many UN Member States of steps that could be taken to promote various aspects of voluntary action. As a consequence, a number of  UN General Assembly resolutions on volunteering were adopted and references to volunteering appeared in the outcome documents of several thematic UN and other international conferences. Here are listed the resolutions pertaining to volunteerism that have been adopted by the UN General Assemby and other UN bodies.
06 February 2006
Follow-up to the implementation of the International Year of Volunteers (2005) 
This UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/60/134), co-sponsored by 84 Member States and adopted on 16 December 2005, invites all stakeholders, especially from the private sector community and from private foundations, to support volunteerism as a strategic tool to enhance economic and social development, including by expanding corporate volunteering.   Read article
30 August 2005
UN Secretary-General’s report on IYV follow-up implementation (A/60/128) 
This is the UN Secretary-General’s report to the 60th session of the General Assembly on the follow-up of the implementation of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001. The report A/60/128 highlights the major areas where the environment for expanding and diversifying levels of volunteerism can be strengthened. It concludes that while the momentum built up over IYV continues to provide the stimulation behind a vibrant volunteer movement, there are wide variations in trends between countries and regions.   Read article
12 October 2003
UNDP Essentials on volunteerism and development 
In this issue of ESSENTIALS, launched on International Volunteer Day, on the 5th of December, the reader is introduced to an analysis of successful volunteer interventions, lessons learned and good practices with examples drawn from evaluatory evidence in a variety of development contexts.  Read article
26 November 2002
Follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers 
This UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/57/106), co-sponsored by 142 Member States and adopted on 26 November 2002, calls upon stakeholders to support volunteerism as a strategic tool to enhance economic and social development and requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its 60th session on the implementation of the current resolution.   Read article
30 September 2002
Report of the Secretary-General: IYV: outcomes and future perspectives 
The General Assembly, in its Resolution 55/57, requested the Secretary-General to report to it at its fifty-seventh session on the outcome of the International Year of Volunteers and its follow-up. The present report describes the background to the Year, provides an overview of actions taken, presents conclusions and discusses the future.  Read article
05 December 2001
Recommendations on support for volunteering  
This UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/56/38), co-sponsored by 126 Member States and adopted on 5 December 2001, proposes recommendations on how governments and the United Nations system can support volunteering.  Read article
23 February 2001
Role of Volunteerism in the Promotion of Social Development  
For the first time in UN history, a substantive discussion on the role of volunteerism in the promotion of social development was held at the 39th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Commission for Social Development in February 2001. A special panel of experts, organized by the UNV programme, preceded the government debate. It resulted in a draft resolution adopted by the 46 members of the Commission.   Read article
04 December 2000
International Year of Volunteers: GA Resolution A/RES/55/57 
This UN General Assembly resolution, co-sponsored by 60 Member States and adopted on 4 December 2000, calls upon states to promote an environment conducive to the discussion of the characteristics and trends of volunteer action in their own societies; calls for two plenary meetings of the 56th session of the GA to discuss volunteering on 5 December 2001 coinciding with the closing of IYV; and requests the Secretary-General to report on the outcome of IYV and its follow-up at the 57th session of the General Assembly.  Read article
20 November 1997
Declaration of 2001 as International Year of Volunteers 
This UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2001 the International Year of Volunteers designated the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, the volunteer arm of the UN, as the focal point. The objectives of the Year are increased promotion, recognition, facilitation and networking of voluntary action worldwide. The resolution was co-sponsored by 123 countries.  Read article
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17 December 1985
Adoption of 5 December as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD)  
On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the UN General Assembly adopted this resolution (A/RES/40/212) on 17 December 1985, establishing 5 December as International Volunteer Day.  Read article

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