IVD & NF 2016 Event Report

EVENT REPORT International Volunteer Day & 6th National Forum on Promoting Volunteerism 2 and 3 December, 2016 Institute of Technology Cambodia, Phnom Penh

Table of Contents: 1.

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 3

2.

International Volunteer Day (2nd December 2016) ............................................................ 5

3.

6th National Forum on Promoting Volunteerism (3 December 2016) ................................ 7

4.

Community Action Challenge 2016 .................................................................................... 8

5.

Attachments ...................................................................................................................... 10

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1.

Executive Summary

The International Volunteer Day (IVD) is globally celebrated on 5 December every year. It was mandated by the United Nations General Assembly through the Resolution 40/212 on 17 December 1985 to acknowledge the power and potential of volunteerism. IVD is a unique opportunity for volunteers and volunteer organizations around the world to promote their work among general public, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector to raise awareness and gain recognition

for

the

contribution

volunteers

make

in

their

communities.

IVD

commemorations also serve as a knowledge base for those who are interested in volunteerism but do not have any experience and do not know how they can contribute.

This year’s global theme for the International Volunteer Day, ‘#Global Applause – give volunteers a hand’, recognized volunteers worldwide and their work in making peace and sustainable development a reality.

In 2016, UNV Cambodia, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), and the VolCam network members together with UN Agencies, civil society and private sector partners organized back-to-back event with the International Volunteer Day on 2 December and the 6th National Forum on Promoting Volunteerism on 3 December.

H.E. Sean Borath, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport

Guests of honor, opening ceremony

The two-day event with a slogan ‘Volunteer for Sustainable Cambodia’, was aimed to offer an opportunity for volunteers and volunteer organizations to make their contributions visible, celebrate their positive impact on Cambodia’s development and

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highlight local actions and the role in realizing the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ and volunteerism as a means of action.

To further demonstrate the benefits of volunteerism, VolCam network organized a ‘Community Action Challenge 2016’ in which they challenged active citizens to create a small groups, think of how can they improve or help their local community and come up with a solution that can be implemented through a small project. Eight selected projects were given a small grant and the opportunity to showcase their progress and results during the International Volunteer Day and in the exhibition hall, as well.

During both events, people were able to participate in series of high-level and youth panel discussions, to visit the interactive booth exhibitions prepared by VolCam network members and other stakeholders in order to share the information and promote their work.

Apart from that there were also educational games, quizzes, musical performances and other fun activities. Participants could also visit a white board and stick their comments, commitments or pledges concerning volunteerism.

During the 6th Forum on Promoting Volunteerism, VolCam network members and other volunteer involving organizations were given the stage, to share more about their work available volunteering opportunities as well as the experiences of their volunteers.

More than 1 400 people of all ages joined the events at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia and enjoyed the program. A team of 22 volunteers, including eight VolCam Volunteer Envoys were mobilized, to assist with the logistics, translations and participant coordination.

H.E. Clair Van der Vaeren, the United Nations Resident Coordinator visiting UNV Booth

UNV organizing team

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2.

International Volunteer Day (2 December 2016)

The 2-day event began with the International Volunteer Day (IVD) commemoration.

The main objective of the day was to promote the positive role of volunteerism and share information about the benefits of volunteering through panel discussions and dialogues with volunteer representatives, in order to motivate more people to get involved.

H.E. Clair Van der Vaeren, United Nations Resident Coordinator, opening ceremony

H.E. Tauch Choeun, Director General of Department of Youth, opening ceremony

IVD was welcomed by H.E. Tauch Choeun, Director General of Department of Youth, followed by the National Anthem and a blessing dance performed by young dancers. H.E. Claire Van der Vaeren, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia and H.E. Sean Borath, Secretary of State, MoEYS, delivered the speeches to the audience.

The opening ceremony was followed by a High-level Panel Dialogue Session with expert guest speakers from MoEYS (H.E. Tauch Choeun, Director General of Department of Youth), United Nations Volunteers HQ (Mr. Rafael Martinez Gil, Portfolio Manager for East Asia and Pacific UNV HQ), Voluntary Service Overseas (Mr. Guillaume Sauval, Country Director for Cambodia), Youth Star Cambodia (Mr. Luy Tech Chheng, Program Director), Phnom Penh Impact Hub (Ms. Melanie Mossard, Community Builder & Program Manager) and a Youth Representative (Monika Mey, UNV Communications officer for UNFPA). Highlevel representatives discussed ‘The role of volunteerism in realizing the SDGs in Cambodia’. Panelists were asked selected questions submitted through social media, giving the opportunity to everyone to be involved in a dialogue and ask about topics of interest for those who have experience in the field.

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“Volunteerism is a powerful tool for engaging citizens in working together for the benefit of their communities. Volunteerism plays an essential role in engaging people from different parts of society, especially young generations. Volunteerism provides a way for everyone to actively participate in activities that will contribute to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this country Cambodian volunteers work side by side with international volunteers to build a sustainable Cambodia, demonstrating the meaningfulness of international solidarity. Last year at the National Forum for Volunteerism, 500 Cambodian youth spent a full day discussing the SDGs and the key issues Cambodia is facing. This year, on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day and the National Forum for Volunteerism, we want to take a step further and learn about different ways that individuals and organizations can contribute. Today and tomorrow, we will see and hear the experiences of volunteer champions and learn about their achievements – big and small – that can inspire us to follow their example. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and contribution of all volunteers in Cambodia with a much-deserved applause”.

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H.E. Clair Van der Vaeren, at the International Volunteer Day

The Youth Panel Dialogue Session was divided into four main areas under the overall topic ‘Cambodia 2030 – Youth perspectives on realizing SDGs in Cambodia’. Guest speakers discussed about the role of volunteerism as means of action for SDGs a how they can participate in realizing them in the areas of Education, Employment, Health and Environment.

As for the Community Action Challenge 2016, eight groups that were selected and given seed funding and guidance, presented their project ideas, the process of the implementation and their key results at the Thematic Session. Participants could also get more information about the group projects while visiting their booths at the exhibition hall during both the IVD and the National Forum.

During the IVD event the UNV Research Team, led by Dr. Hrachia Kazhoyan, presented the key findings from the current UNV research on ‘Volunteerism and Youth Employment’. The day was closed by Mr. Rafael Martinez Gil, the Portfolio Manager for East Asia and Pacific at UNV HQ with presentation on ‘Volunteerism globally, in the region and in Cambodia’.

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3.

6th National Forum on Promoting Volunteerism (3 December 2016)

National Forum was held on the next day in the morning. The half-day program was split into two sessions and was opened by H.E. Tauch Choeun, followed by musical and dance performances. VolCam network members and other volunteer involving organizations were given the stage to share more about their work and experience of being a volunteer.

The Day was reserved for ‘Celebration of Volunteer work in Cambodia’, with speakers from the Youth Star Cambodia (YSC), Red Cross and Cambodia Youth Action (CYA).

They talked about volunteerism through their own personal experiences and showcased the different volunteer programs available in their organizations.

After a break, the session continued speakers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Community Action Challenge 2016 project, Cambodian Indigenous Youth Association, Voluntary Service Overseas, Youth Resource Development Program and a UN Volunteer representative discussed about how to become a volunteer, how to build a network for volunteering and how to take action.

Audience listening to discussion on “Celebration of Volunteer work in Cambodia”

Discussion on “How to be a volunteer”

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4.

Community Action Challenge 2016

The Community Action Challenge 2016 was a ‘build-up’ activity for the IVD and National Forum, organized by the VolCam network members to further encourage volunteer-driven community development in Cambodia. The Challenge encouraged active citizens to think of an issue that their local community faces, and find a solution to it. The main aim of the Challenge was to showcase and share experiences, build networks and raise awareness on the potential of volunteerism as a tool for peace and development.

Orientation of the selected Community Action Challenge 2016 group leaders

Selection Committee for the Community Action Challenge 2016

A Task Force (UNV, VSO, YRDP and CYA representatives) was created in order to select the projects that will receive a seed funding of $150 and technical assistance.

Application forms, evaluation guidelines, presentation templates and a Facebook page (http://bit.ly/2hY4RTk) was created for this occasion. Altogether eight projects were selected from Battambang, Kampong Speu, Kandal provinces and Phnom Penh.

Community Action Challenge 2016 List of Project: Project Name Community Football Green Field Raksa—awareness raising on drainage system Repairing an existing road in Kraing Serei Community Forestry Community Revitalization Literacy for GenZ HealthUnity—raise awareness on dental care and first aid How to use chemical substances on agricultural products Community mobile library

Beneficiary School students, youth in the community People living around drainage system

Location Battambang Phnom Penh

Community and travelers

Kampong Speu Province

Community Primary School students

Phnom Penh Phnom Penh

High school students

Kandal

Farmers

Kandal

Children and youth

Battambang

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Representatives of VolCam network visited at the project sites to monitor and document the implementation process and helped the groups with a presentation format.

Both: Community Football Green Field Project Implementation, Battambang

At the IVD and National Forum event, the groups and their core leaders presented their experience and results during the Thematic Session, and showcased their progress in their respective booths at the exhibition hall. This served as a good example and motivation for those interested in becoming volunteers.

Both: Community Action Challenge 2016 presentations at the Thematic Session.

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5.

Attachments

I. Agenda:

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II. Community Action Challenge 2016 Project Profiles:

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