Memorable days, weeks and months for volunteering

The United Nations marks a few important days, weeks and months in order to raise awareness and encourage people to volunteer.

• Global Youth Service Day marked every year in April gathers young people around the world in conducting community service, service learning, and other volunteering activities.
• International Volunteer Day is an international observance mandated by the United Nations in 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions.
• International Year of Volunteers was designated for 2001 by the United Nations. The initiative was aimed to increase recognition, facilitation, networking, and promotion of volunteering, as well as to highlight the achievements of the millions of volunteers worldwide and to encourage more people globally to engage in volunteering.
• Join Hands Day is a national volunteer day that is celebrated every year on a first Saturday in May.
• Mitzvah Day is an annual day of faith-based social action that takes place in November each year.
• Random Acts of Kindness Day is a day that encourages random acts of kindness as a way of showing altruism.
• World Kindness Day is celebrated on 13th of November to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power of kindness