Volunteer Activities

In December 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations produced the following recommendations for the follow-up of the very successful International Year of Volunteers 2001:

1. The necessity for governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, United Nations and researchers to promote volunteer work.
2. Improve the circumstances of volunteer work (laws and regulations, research, volunteer centres, internet, corporate volunteering).

Tens of millions of citizens throughout Europe are actively involved in volunteering, either through an organisation, or on a more informal basis. Volunteering is therefore at the forefront of European ideals of democracy, inclusion and active citizenship.