The International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It is an opportunity for us all to promote volunteering, encourage governments, partners and all key stakeholders to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the nodal UN agency contributing to peace and development worldwide through volunteerism believes in ‘Volunteerism for Development’. The UNV launches a campaign to promote International Volunteer Day every year, building on the impact that volunteers have in communities, nationally and globally, for promoting peace and development.

Grounded on the theme of "Together We Can through Volunteering” this International Volunteer Day 2020 thanks volunteers for their actions and showcase the impact of volunteering during the COVID-19 crisis, which underlines possible long-term effects on the economic and social fabric of societies worldwide. Volunteers worldwide have acted against the direct threat posed by COVID-19 and wider challenges in a significant outpouring of solidarity. Volunteering has come in many forms during the pandemic and all such efforts need to be thanked and showcased during the International Volunteer Day - IVD 2020.

The 3rd edition of the UN Volunteer Awards being celebrated as the highlight of this years’ celebrations in 2020 strives to felicitate and acknowledge the tremendous endeavors of the beacons of volunteerism who are the flagbearers of goodwill, solidarity, hope and togetherness in times of crisis and beyond. As our volunteers and youth aspire and inspire to make this world a better place one good deed at a time, we celebrate the spirit of volunteerism.