The International Year of Volunteers Plus 10 IYV+10 was celebrated in 2011, giving the world the opportunity to revisit the aims of the original IYV held in 2001. The celebration was a global opportunity to reinvigorate the spirit of volunteerism with activities and special projects undertaken world-wide.
IYV+10 was successful in reminding the world of the importance and value of volunteering as well as providing an international platform that volunteer organisations could utilise to recruit and thank volunteers.
Global highlights included the release of the State of the Worlds Volunteering Report by the United Nations. VA was pleased to welcome Donna Keher from UN Volunteers to Australia to receive the preliminary report at the National Conference on Volunteering.
Following is a list of highlights from IYV+10 and a link to more information at the World Volunteer Website.
Launch of the Australian International Year of Volunteers plus 10 website portal which had over 11,000 visitors, 21,000 page views, 500+ social media shares using Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn, 313 articles posted and over 50 events listed
Australia Post released a special International Year of the Volunteer plus 10 souvenir stamp sheet to recognize the efforts of all volunteer groups. The souvenir stamp aims to draw even more attention to the efforts of all those who volunteer and give up their time to support and help others in need.
The 2011 Volunteer Grants program provided funding to purchase small equipment items to assist volunteers, contribute towards reimbursement of fuel costs, including transport costs incurred by volunteers with disability who are unable to drive, and training courses and background screening checks for volunteers. It was announced that over 200,400 volunteers across more than 4,600 organisations throughout Australia benefited from funding of $16 million under Volunteer Grants 2011 program.
The Royal Australian Mint released an exclusive IYVplus10 rolled coin product. The coin design features a ring of volunteers that together foster the exchange of experiences as well as the strengthening of partnerships which help to promote and implement their various individual volunteer projects.
Volunteering Australia's National Conference on Volunteering as the major celebration of IYVplus10. The three-day conference included a mix of national and international speakers delivering key note speeches, 55 presentations and 17 workshops, social networking functions, lunch time networking opportunities, a fun filled conference dinner and corporate breakfast. The conference explored a diverse range of issues and topics as well as challenging delegates to think about long term strategies and solutions
The Minister for Social Inclusion, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, launched the Australian National Volunteering Strategy at Volunteering Australia's National Conference on Volunteering. In the strategy, the Australian Government sets out a vision for the future of volunteering in Australia, in which volunteering is encouraged, supported and recognised.
The International Year of Volunteers Plus 10 IYV+10 was celebrated in 2011, giving the world the opportunity to revisit the aims of the original IYV held in 2001. The celebration was a global opportunity to reinvigorate the spirit of volunteerism with activities and special projects undertaken world-wide.
