Organisers present awards to groups and individuals with active contributions to the community (Photo: tuoitrethudo.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Global Volunteering Day 2019took place in Hanoi on September 29, calling on the young to join hands indealing with climate change.
The annual event was organised by the Volunteersfor Peace Vietnam (VPV) and the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies(CSDS), with the support of the Irish Aid and the UN Development Programme inVietnam.
It served as a forum for discussing and sharinginformation and ideas while encouraging actions with positive impact on theenvironment and the community, towards the achievement of the 17 SustainableDevelopment Goals.
In his opening speech, CSDS Director Don TuanPhuong said the event was the rendezvous of volunteers from many countries toshare their experience and learn about culture of one another’s nations.
“In response to the UN’s summits this year, wecall on young people to act to fight climate change to protect our planet. Webelieve that many small actions will create big changes,” he stressed.
The event attracted about 1,200 people,including volunteers from more than 30 countries and territories along withrepresentatives of non-governmental organisations.
Aside from promoting the public’s attention toenvironmental and climate change issues, the day also raised money for achild-friendly school project implemented by the VPV Club, the CSDS and the SaoBien (Starfish) – an Austrian non-governmental organisation.
This project aims to provide basic educationalinfrastructure, like school facilities, clean water and playgrounds withequipment made from recycled materials, for disadvantaged areas, thus helpingachieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 – quality education.
Also at the event, the final round of the “YouthDrivers for Change” Awards 2019 was held. The awards are intended to honour thegroups with active and impressive contributions to the community and affirm theVietnamese youth’s engagement in the settlement of social issues around theglobe./.