On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, which falls on Thursday, December 5, the Kuwait Environment Protection Society called on government agencies, each according to its specialization, to support and enhance the roles of Kuwaiti civil organizations and public benefit associations, and to direct the removal of obstacles and difficulties that face their long history of giving, which has extended for decades and many years, as well as to provide annual financial allocations to continue the journey, in addition to providing headquarters for those who do not have permanent headquarters, such as the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, which reached its golden jubilee this year, and completed 50 years of volunteer work.
The Environment Society asked today in a press release, “How can we imagine a society without volunteers, civil organizations, and volunteer associations?” stressing “the importance of providing material and logistical support to public benefit associations to implement their programs and plans, which include events and activities aimed at all ages and groups in society and covering all areas of life, given that these organizations and associations are a support, an ally, and an arm of government agencies, and even a partner with them on the ground in implementing their tasks and work.”.
She explained that “diverse volunteering strengthens communities,” and this is the slogan set by the United Nations to celebrate this year’s International Volunteer Day, which is an important occasion celebrated annually by many countries around the world to highlight the importance of volunteer work and community participation in bringing about positive change in society.
She stated that “International Volunteer Day is a symbolic occasion dedicated to celebrating the unlimited giving to society by citizens who contribute to serving communities, without expecting any material reward, as volunteers voluntarily undertake their tasks in creating a culture of community giving that works to strengthen their communities, bridge the gap between generations and support sustainable development.”.
The organization added, “The UN has stated that the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without the participation of people at all stages, at all levels, and at all times. Volunteer work makes people part of the solutions and allows them to participate in the development of their communities.” It continued on its official website, saying, “Despite the challenges of climate change, conflicts, and social inequality, the spirit of volunteerism shines brighter than ever in these difficult times. Volunteers are usually the first to respond and rise to the challenges with courage, dedication, and selflessness.”.
In its press release, the association highlighted the diverse objectives of International Volunteer Day 2024, which include “raising awareness of the importance of volunteer work, encouraging individuals around the world to appreciate the efforts of volunteers, instilling the importance of volunteer work, and motivating individuals to participate in volunteer activities, as the United Nations and international organizations seek to motivate the largest possible number of individuals to engage in volunteer work for the advancement of societies.”.
She noted the importance of broadcasting and disseminating a moral message of thanks, appreciation and greeting to volunteers, as International Volunteer Day is considered a tribute to them for the long hours of work they provide without any financial compensation, and an emphasis on their important role in sustainable development,” pointing out that “celebrating volunteering and volunteers is of great importance as it works to promote the spirit of cooperation, develop personal skills, and confront humanitarian challenges, in addition to contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”.
