This year, IVD focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: “Reduced Inequalities”. This year’s theme aimed to include all individuals excluded from society on various issues such as gender, race, age, physical barriers, religion, economic status, through volunteerism due to the fact that it can be performed without any conditions or limitations. UNV Turkey worked with different partners to ensure the right conditions for volunteers, to direct their activities properly and to raise awareness.

IVD celebrations started with a film screening event on December 2. Organized for the UN staff including UN Volunteers (UNVs), “The Queen of Ireland” documentary was shown in line with this year’s theme. At the end of the event, discussions took place on issues of gender equality and the importance of active citizenship.

On December 5, various volunteering activities and trainings were carried out with a concept of 17 Provinces – 17 SDGs, in cooperation with Damla Volunteers, established by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 531 volunteers took part in these events and 10,915 people were reached in total. Serving UNVs Violet Vural and Ekin Arıcı initiated volunteering activities together with Damla & Kızılay Volunteers at the Istanbul event.

Simultaneously, a social media campaign named “Gönüllüysen Renk Ver” was conducted under the coordination of the National Volunteering Committee (NVC), Turkey’s first volunteering platform with 37 institutional members. UNV Turkey’s #volunteer4inclusion tag was shared in cooperation with partners as well as in UNV Turkey’s social media channels.

In addition, UNV Turkey staff members were on Radio Bilkent. Deniz Büyükbaykal and İpek Naz Çınar informed university students about the UN Volunteers Programme during the live broadcast.

On December 6, Nil Memişoğlu, Country Coordinator of the UNV Turkey, attended the morning news show hosted by İsmail Küçükkaya on Fox TV. Memişoğlu referred to the actions that have been taken in the field of volunteerism in Turkey, UNV Turkey’s cooperation with partners and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The IVD celebrations ended on December 7 with an event organized by Sports Istanbul. Memişoğlu attended the event as a speaker and emphasized the contribution of sports and volunteerism to the happiness of individuals by referring to academic studies.

We invite you to join our call to be a volunteer for an inclusive future and embrace each other with our differences until no one is left behind!