GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON VOLUNTEERS TO BE WEBCAST LIVE ON 26 NOVEMBER

Note to Correspondents

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON VOLUNTEERS TO BE WEBCAST LIVE ON 26 NOVEMBER

NEW YORK, 22 November (UNDP) -- On Tuesday, 26 November, the General Assembly will discuss the outcome of the International Year of Volunteers and its follow-up during two plenary meetings.  The Assembly delegates will address the report of the Secretary-General “International Year of Volunteers:  Outcomes and Future Perspectives” (document A/57/352) and the resolution “Follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers” (document A/57/L.8), which over 120 countries have already co-sponsored.

There will be a live webcast for Tuesday’s two General Assembly debates on volunteering -- from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m.  To view the webcast, please visit http://www.un.org/webcast.

The International Year of Volunteers (2001) (IYV), proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1997, was a success by all accounts.  One hundred and twenty-three national IYV committees and scores of local, regional and State committees were formed.  Networks among stakeholders expanded; legislative frameworks and local infrastructure for voluntary action developed; and public awareness and support for volunteerism increased at a global level.

A year later, at the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, dialogue on volunteering and its contribution to social and economic development continues.  In reviewing the steps taken towards achieving the IYV goals of recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion, governments will focus on plans for the future and further support for the goals set out at the Millennium Summit and at other major conferences and summits.

In the resolution, governments, the media, civil society and the private sector are called upon to observe International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on 5 December.  The forthcoming International Volunteer Day is an excellent opportunity to recognize the contributions and achievements of volunteers and explore the relationship between volunteerism and the Millennium Development Goals.  All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the International Volunteer Day and to build on the momentum and success of the International Year.

To read the United Nations Secretary-General Report on IYV (A/57/352), visit: http://www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/policy/unitednations/sg_report2002/index.htm

                                    - 2 -               Note No. 5768

                                                         22 November 2002

To read the proposed General Assembly resolution (A/57/L.8), visit: http://www.iyv2001.org/iyv_eng/policy/unitednations/unlegislation/ga_resolution4 /index.htm

For media inquiries, please contact:  Robert Leigh, tel: (212) 906-3638;

fax: (212) 906-3659; e-mail: robert.leigh@undp.org; Claire Schouten, tel:

(212) 906-3632; fax: (212) 906-3659; e-mail: claire.schouten@undp.org.

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