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Achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is estimated to cost $US1.5 trillion more a year than the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Given this cost, the private sector and volunteers are essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Each year the work of volunteers is appreciated and celebrated on International Volunteers Day, December 5. The theme in 2016 was #GlobalApplause with an aim to use social media to give global recognition to the work of volunteers. Celebrations included an event at United Nations Headquarters in New York commending the efforts of Youth Volunteers - Youth Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:Engaging Communities, Creating Change, Transforming Societies.
To increase youth participation, a live Twitter stream associated with the hashtag #GlobalApplause displayed on two television screens at the front of the room, and followers were able to submit live questions to panellists via the hashtag which were referenced and answered at the end of the session during allocated time.
A highlight of the event was a live video conference from a UN youth volunteer, Irene Maseme Seme from the field in Lesotho Africa. She explained her role involved supporting other young people and assisting them with their health and education as well supporting them to increase their skill set. She spoke about the benefits of the programme she was involved in and urged other youth to consider
David Donoghue, Permanent Representative for the Mission of Ireland to the UN, spoke about youth involvement in the development of the SDGs. He discussed specific areas of the SDGs aimed at youth and stressed they will only be achieved with the help of young people. Mr Donoghue highlighted the important link between volunteerism and achieving youth related goals by using a quote directly from the SDGs emphasising the “infinite capacity of young people for activism”,
The co-founder of Aware Girls Saba Ismail, participated in the panel and stressed the necessity for volunteerism in achieving the outcomes of their organisation. She spoke about how the Girl Power campaigns the organisation conducts are completely facilitated and lead by volunteers and would not exist without their help and support. Ms Ismail co-founded Aware Girls at just 15 years of age, exemplifying the power of youth to achieve change within a voluntary capacity.
With 1.8 billion young people between 10 and 24 years of age globally it is clear that youth play a vital role in achieving the SDGs. Volunteerism along with the passion and innovation possessed by youth are not only essential in achieving social change but will provide a superior outcome for the issues affecting young people.
To learn more about our work on youth at social.un.org/youth
Follow the conversation at twitter.com/hashtag/globalapplause
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