Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche on International Volunteer Day 2023

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Hon. Anupa Pasqual, State Minister, Ministry of Women, Child Affairs & Social Empowerment; 

Ms. Yamuna Perera, Secretary, Ministry of Women, Child Affairs & Social Empowerment; 

UN Country Team and Senior Officials from the Government; 

Mr Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative, JICA; 

Members of the National Volunteering Network (VNET); 

And of course, Dear Volunteers; 

I join you today, not only as the UN Resident Coordinator, but as someone who has been deeply impacted by volunteerism. 

Years ago, my journey at the United Nations began as a UN Volunteer. 

For this reason, I am especially thrilled to join you in commemorating International Volunteer Day. 

Today, as we celebrate the efforts and the selfless spirit of volunteers worldwide, we are reminded of the critical role they play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Volunteers are the unsung heroes driving us closer to reaching the ambitious targets set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

They embody the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, turning inspiration into tangible action. 

Whether on the ground in community projects or in virtual spaces, each volunteer contributes significantly to this global effort. 

For over 50 years, UNV has contributed to the work of the United Nations to build a safer, more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future for everyone in Sri Lanka. 

We now have 112 UN Volunteers in Sri Lanka, including international volunteers from 9 different countries. 

UN Volunteers bring engagement, commitment and a diversity of perspectives, experiences and cultures that enrich the UN system.  

In so many ways, you embody the promise of the United Nations Charter 

It has been humbling to learn about the rich history of volunteerism in Sri Lanka; one that is deeply rooted in traditional beliefs and community practices that has brought communities together for centuries.  

Volunteer organisations leverage this culture of volunteerism to strengthen civic engagement, promote social inclusion, and deepen solidarity between individuals, communities and generations.   

The engagement of volunteers has come at crucial times in the nation’s history, including the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic, where they played an important role in helping the vulnerable, tackling misinformation and supporting efforts to help children, the elderly, and front-line health workers. 

A strong volunteer ethos and network is an important cornerstone to building cohesive and resilient communities.  

In Sri Lanka, the VNET is one such innovative network bringing together volunteer organisations and individual philanthropists representing Government, academia, corporate sector, civil society, youth and other stakeholders.  

This initiative has the power to trigger collective action, to inspire ownership and bring about transformative change. 

Today, we recognise three organisations within VNET contributing to their communities.  

But as we know, these are just a few of the thousands of organisations in Sri Lanka that are making a difference through their extraordinary contributions to society. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

We live in extraordinary times, and the world faces challenges that can seem overwhelming.  

These challenges require the mobilization of extraordinary resources, talents and the goodwill of people.   

Volunteer action is a powerful and cross-cutting means of implementation in addressing these challenges.  We should never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world for the better.   

It gives everyone an opportunity to play a part in contributing to the development of Sri Lanka and realizing the 2030 Agenda. 

As my colleague Asuza mentioned, there are more than one billion people around the world who are contributing their time and skills to creating a better, safer, and more peaceful world through volunteerism. 

However, their efforts often go unseen. 

Today, on International Volunteer Day, let us recognize and honor these individuals who put others first.  

You, volunteers, are a source of hope that demonstrates the power of working together to build solutions that leaves no one behind. 

Let us reaffirm the universal value of volunteerism, not only as a resource for communities, but for learning skills and improving personal and professional development. 

By empowering people to act, volunteering can serve to integrate people from diverse communities, exposing them to people with different genders, ages, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and sexual orientations.  

We need more than acknowledgment; we need investment in volunteering as an opportunity to reduce social distance and build empathy and solidarity. 

As we mark International Volunteer Day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all volunteers. 

Your commitment and exceptional contribution to advancing sustainable development in your communities is an inspiration to us all. 

Estuti. Nandri. Thank you.