International Year of Volunteers: Tenth Anniversary

COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA, April 08, 2011 (Press-News.org) Volunteering gives people a chance to to take an active part in the development of not only their own communities, but to also take responsibility for the needs of others.

Volunteering, very much like charity, often begins at home, but with motivation and application, volunteers can make a positive and lasting change at an international level.

It is 10 years since the International Year of Volunteers in 2001 and through a UN General Assembly Resolution, this anniversary is being marked across the globe, with volunteering organizations world-wide promoting the values of volunteering, recognizing the value of volunteering, building and reinforcing volunteering networks, and helping individuals to realize their potential to make a real difference by sharing their time, skills and experience for the benefit of others.The declaration of IYV+10, under the banner "Volunteer! Make a Difference", is an acknowledgement of the important role of the volunteer sector, and aims to -

Build respect, trust, understanding and solidarity through volunteering;
Raise volunteerism on the development agenda;
Build partnerships; and
Define and empower global volunteering.

Member nations of the EU have reported massive increases in the number of registered volunteers, involved both in both local and overseas volunteering projects.

"I want to pay tribute to the millions of Europeans who take the time to make our world a better place," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.

As part of the IYV+10 initiative -

The fees charged by placement providers has come under scrutiny;
Free or low cost volunteering opportunities are being promoted;
Volunteers are being encouraged to ask questions about the allocation of their fees, and
The motivations of placement providers is being scrutinized.

In a recent global survey of current and former volunteer travelers, over 75% of those interviewed selected South America as their preferred continent.

And of those, 65% commented that BOLIVIA - the poorest South American country - would be their first choice destination.

Web sources of information on volunteering in Bolivia

Idealist
Volunteer South America
Bolivia Volunteers
Transitions Abroad