United Nations A/RES/40/212
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
A/RES/40/212
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD)Adoption of 5 December as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD) 17 December 1985
On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the UN General Assembly adopted this resolution (A/RES/40/212) on 17 December 1985, establishing 5 December as International Volunteer Day.
40/212. International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
The General Assembly,
Taking note of the report of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on the United Nations Volunteers programme,128 and the relevant decision of the Governing Council,
Considering that volunteer service, including that of the United Nations Volunteers, is making an important contribution to socio-economic development activities,
Recognizing the desirability of stimulating the work of all volunteers both in the field and in organizations - multilateral, bilateral or national, non-governmental or government-supported - and of giving encouragement to those volunteers, many of whom engage in volunteer service at considerable personal sacrifice,
- Invites Governments to observe annually, on 5 December, an International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, and urges them to take measures to heighten awareness of the important contribution of volunteer service, thereby stimulating more people in all walks of life to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad;
- Invites also specialized agencies, other organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations that provide, are affiliated with or benefit from volunteer service to undertake and promote activities to stimulate greater awareness of the contribution to their work made by volunteers;
- Requests the Secretary-General to continue to promote world-wide publicity on the important role of volunteer service.
120th plenary meeting
17 December 1985