A group of Moroccan and international associations is organising, on December 5 in Rabat, a morning around volunteering in Morocco on the occasion of International Volunteer Day.

During this event, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom, Bruno Pouezat, will present the first report on the state of volunteering in the world, indicates a press release from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Through this report which reports on the value of volunteering on a global scale, solidarity, commitment, and respect, the actors in this field hope to bring new energy and awareness about volunteering in society and its contributions to peace and development, specifies the same source.

It is also the first time that such work has been carried out to try to recognise the efforts deployed by volunteers in the world. On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General, Ban-Ki moon had indicated, in a message addressed recently, that the first delivery of the report on volunteering in the world clearly shows the successes achieved. He also welcomed the results achieved by the United Nations Volunteers Programme.

The UN official did not fail to pay tribute to the millions of volunteers who, across the planet, work for sustainable development, humanitarian aid, the protection of the natural environment, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a vision to which Morocco has adhered through the commitment of HM King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan government concretised notably by the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).

On the programme for this morning is also an impressive work of art representing volunteering.

International Volunteer Day (IVD) for economic and social development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly by the resolution of December 17, 1985. Since then, governments, the United Nations system, and civil society organisations have succeeded in bringing together volunteers from all over the world to celebrate it.

Furthermore, the year 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (2001) which was the occasion to strengthen volunteering in terms of promotion, recognition, and facilitation.