---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Say Savuth <> Date: Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 2:48 PM Subject: [CANCAMBODIA] Why volunteer action counts | Analysis | National To: "
Dear All, While volunteering helps the volunteers themselves learn and get mature as time goes on, that simple act could help many of the others in urgent needs; especially in such a developing country as ours: Cambodia. Volunteers can happen at many points of our lifetime - from our time at primary school as class presidents, youth leaders and activists and to high senior advisors at different workplaces or even much higher, as we collect enough experience, maturity, knowledge and (cleaned) connections. Below is an inspiring article to foster volunteering spirit. One that we should not miss, if we believe that work is not just a way of life (to make a living), but it is also a way to make a life. Thanks. Best regards, Savuth http://www.phnompenhpost.com/Analysis/why-volunteer-action-counts.html The Phnom Penh Post In Analysis <http://National/Analysis/> Last Updated on 05 December 2012 By Contributors <http://Seng-Sovan.html> Taxi drivers in Pailin have been playing malaria information on CDs or cassettes as they ferry fares around. Between August, 2010 and May, 2011, the message relayed by these volunteer drivers reached nearly 50,000 people. Sometimes they even helped identify malarial symptoms among their passengers, and took them straight to hospital. <http://images/stories/news/national/2012/121205/121205_16.jpg> This shows that anyone can make a difference. >From Cambodia’s rural provinces to its bustling cities, from the smallest community groups to the most well-known international organisations, volunteers like those taxi drivers are everywhere. Community volunteers talk to young people about ending violence against women. Trained Red Cross volunteers support their neighbourhoods in times of disaster, such as last year’s floods. And volunteers from all over the world arrive every day to help give underprivileged urban young people a brighter future. Cambodia has benefited significantly from the dedication of volunteers like these. They have been essential to the Kingdom’s long-term development in every area, from education to nutrition and gender equality. So today, International Volunteer Day<http://www.volunteeractioncounts.org/en/>, we celebrate the commitment and impact that volunteering contributes to making Cambodia, and the world, a better place. Volunteering is difficult to quantify, but it undoubtedly has immense value. The 2011 Gallup World Poll found that about 16 per cent of the world’s people volunteer in some way, and notes that Cambodia is especially strong in this regard. If 16 per cent of Cambodians – 2.4 million or so – volunteer for just one hour a week, that’s more than 15 million working days spent for the well-being of communities and the nation as a whole. The United Nations Volunteers <http://www.unv.org>(UNV) program alone has brought the skills and experience of more than 1,400 UN volunteers to Cambodia since 1991 And research published by the Youth Star organisation in 2008 shows that more than 70 per cent of NGOs in Cambodia work with, and through, volunteers. Volunteering plays a significant role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals <http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/>. In post-conflict societies, it helps rebuild trust. And its values inspire us to live sustainably, so that our actions do not jeopardise the needs of future generations. Yet the act of volunteering is about more than just what it can achieve. Allow me to quote the International Volunteer Day message from United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon: “Volunteering can embrace all people, from the activist who works full-time for a cause to the occasional citizen who reaches out when he or she can. “Each sets an example of the spirit of compassion we need. Each makes a valuable contribution to reaching our common goals.” Ban Ki-moon adds that volunteerism, founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose, he says. Volunteerism is part of Cambodia’s fabric, a facet of the human spirit that knows no boundaries. These days, you can even volunteer via the internet or your mobile telephone, and help people you may never even meet. Whether online or in person, the thousands of Cambodians who give their time and share their skills are driven by a desire to contribute to the well-being of this country and its people. They have no expectation of material reward, and their efforts promote civic values and social cohesion. In turn, the act of volunteering transforms people too. It enables us all to engage in, and influence, the future of our communities. Cambodia’s young people – about a third of the country’s population is aged 10 to 24 – have enormous potential to make a difference in contributing to the development of this country. Volunteering is one way to harness that potential — and to build skills and social responsibility in young people. Last year was an important milestone for volunteerism in Cambodia and across the world, with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. A Cambodian National Committee for Promoting Volunteerism was established, bringing together many development partners. Meanwhile, the National Policy on Cambodian Youth Development was endorsed, demonstrating a commitment to promote volunteerism at the highest level. In 2012, the key actors are joining forces again to carry the momentum forward. This week, the Second National Forum on Volunteerism will bring volunteers from around the nation to map out more ways forward. All of us in Cambodia face many challenges. Together, we can all help meet them. On International Volunteer Day, let us celebrate the role of volunteers in building the future we want. Let us recognise the commitment of volunteers in Cambodia and worldwide, inform people of the impact of volunteerism, and applaud volunteers for their dedication and efforts. Each and every one of them proves beyond doubt that volunteer action counts. ------------------------------ *Douglas Broderick is the UN resident co-ordinator; * *Isabelle Devylder is the program officer, UN Volunteers Cambodia; and * *Oliver Wittershagen is the East Asia and Pacific portfolio manager, UN Volunteers.* -- ***** * You received this message because you have subscribed to the Cambodian Academic Network Mailing List http://groups.google.com/group/cancambodia * Blog: http://cancambodia.info/ * You're also cordially invited to visit and contribute to www.cambosastra.org -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. 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