20 volunteers receive ‘IVD Bangladesh Volunteer Award 2021’

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, UNV Bangladesh, UNFPA, VSO, and WaterAid jointly organised an event, titled 'Volunteering Contributions towards Community Development in Bangladesh' recently in the capital's Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

This year's IVD theme was "Volunteer now for our common future."

A total of 20 volunteers received the 'IVD Bangladesh Volunteer Award 2021,' as they played a significant role in community development. This year, for the first time, UNV Bangladesh honoured 20 Champion UN Volunteers in the country together with UNDP and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme turns 50 this year, which is a unique common service to the UN system and beyond. The UN Volunteer Country Award recognised and celebrated UN Volunteers' contributions to the UN agencies and the government.

Md Tazul Islam, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, graced the event as the Chief Guest while  Tuomo Poutiainen, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Bangladesh, Shalina Miah, Regional Manager, UNV Asia and the Pacific and Md Akhter Hossain, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports were present as special guests.

Md Aktar Uddin, Country Coordinator, UNV Bangladesh, Dr Eiko Narita Representative a.i., UNFPA Bangladesh, Mohammad Noor-E-Alam Siddiqui, Joint Secretary, PS to the Honourable Minister of LGRDC, Salahuddin Ahmed, Business Pursuit Lead, VSO Bangladesh, Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director – Policy and Advocacy, WaterAid Bangladesh attended the event.  Helal Uddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Local Government Division, chaired the event.

Representatives from government bodies and NGOs, civil society organisations, vounteer organisations, Volunteers, youths, and other stakeholders joined the event as well.

The organisers have asked for applications from enthusiastic volunteers with a detailed guideline to evaluate their potential.

 The 'IVD Bangladesh Volunteer Award 2021' were presented to the best volunteers from 20 different categories, which include – Public health, Awareness, Food security, Innovative actions/digital solutions tackling social problems, Action against GBV, Gender promotion, Support to ensure education, Child protection, WASH, Environment, Waste management, Mental health, Contribution against drug abuse and addiction, COVID-19 response support and others.

Mohammad Mohasin received 1st award of the 'IVD Bangladesh Volunteer Award 2021'. Ms Tahmina Binte Shiraj and Ms. Takia Sultana Nova received 2nd and 3rd awards.

The other awardees were Mahmud Hasan Rayhan, Mohammed Jahidul Islam Al-Azad (Manisha Meem Nipun Hijra), Hafsa Tasnim, Mohammad Minhaj Ahamed, Miftahul Jannat Bushra,  Lampra Tripura, Tamrin Afroz, Dr Farzana Rahman,  S M Mobin Sikder, Shah Imran Hossain, Joseph Mahtab,  Atif Asad, Tahsin Uddin, Md Faisal Hossan Bappy, Natasha Kabir,  Md Saiful Islam and Amena Khatun. 

The first 10 winning volunteers were awarded with BDT 1,00,000, BDT 70,000, BDT 50,000, BDT 35,000, BDT 25,000, BDT 15,000, BDT 10,000, BDT 7,000, BDT 6,000 and BDT 5,000 respectively. The rest received crests, medals, and certificates, along with all winners.

Md Tazul Islam MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, spoke at the event.  "We are celebrating International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2021 with the theme of "Volunteer now for our common future" for recognising volunteers, supporting volunteer efforts and promoting volunteerism over the country," he said.

"The main objective of the IVD 2021 is to recognize and support the spirit of volunteerism to help and create a better future. IVD is a chance to thank the many individuals who act with the spirit of giving and to encourage others to follow their example with their excellent volunteerism. On International Volunteer Day, we recognise the extraordinary contributions of volunteers. I am requesting all of you, organisations, and all citizens to celebrate the National Volunteer Day each year all over the country."

Tuomo Poutiainen, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Bangladesh, said, "Volunteerism reinforces the key principles of development engagement: a human rights-based approach, and capacity development. Fostering volunteerism is critical for increasing civic engagement and citizen participation, which is also key for ensuring national development."

"The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is mandated to support and promote IVD celebrations worldwide. Apart from mobilizing thousands of volunteers every year, UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for the recognition of volunteers and working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming," added the atendee.

International Volunteers Day (IVD) is an opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts, National Volunteer Policy, and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national, and international levels. IVD is a unique opportunity for volunteer-involving organisations to work with government agencies, non-profit organisations, community groups, youth, and the private sector.