International Volunteer Day
UNA Fiji members with His Excellency Mr. Sanaka Samarasinha the United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Program resident representative in the Pacific.
Celebrated from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Fiji Sports Council MultiPurpose Court (opposite Fiji National Gymnasium). The theme for this year’s celebration is “Volunteer for an Inclusive Future”. Inclusion is recognizing our Universal “oneness” and interdependence.
The celebrations were held in partnership between the Fiji National Volunteer Steering Committee (FNVSC) and Fiji Disabled People Federation (FDPF).
The Fiji National Volunteer Steering Committee (FNVSC) was established in 2001 bringing together national actors from civil society, the government, community and youth groups, and the private sector celebrating and recognizing the invaluable services provided by volunteering in all spheres of society.
The Committee has annually organized and coordinated celebrations on International Volunteers Day (IVD) on 5 December every year, which is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the invaluable services provided by volunteering in all spheres of society.
It is also celebrating the richness and value of diversity in our societies. Achieving the transformational promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on ensuring the empowerment, inclusion, and equality of all people.
Therefore;
Volunteerism strengthens solidarity and inclusiveness in communities around the world;
Volunteerism is universal and, when accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or social status can become a powerful equalizer;
Volunteerism provides the opportunity for all people to participate and play fuller roles in their communities;
Volunteerism nurtures solidarity and cohesion in societies through underlying values of cooperation and reciprocity;
SDG 10 is about combatting inequality in order to give people equal opportunity economically and socially for a better future for themselves and their communities.
This year to better promotes the IVD 2019 theme, Fiji National Volunteer Steering Committee has partnered with Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation and its member Fiji Paralympics Committee to promote has volunteerism through sporting activities. The main sporting activities including:
Goal Ball - Goalball is a team sport designed for the visually impaired. The game is played in teams of 3. Athletes attempt to score by rolling a ball equipped with bells into the opposing team’s goal. The sound of the bells attached to the ball guide defenders who use their bodies to block against these shots.
Sitting Volleyball - Sitting volleyball is governed by the same set of rules as the able-bodied game with a few differences.
Bocce – Bocce, also known as Italian lawn bowling, is one of the most widely played games in the world and is one of the oldest lawn or yard games.
Fiji International Volunteer Day Celebrations 2019 was open to all organizations including Community Based and National NGOs, Regional and International organizations, UN Agencies, Development Partners, and all Volunteers from all cross-cutting sectors were welcomed to celebrate.
UNA Fiji is a member of the FNVSC. The event took place on 05 December 2019.
