United Nations Nations Unies

OFFICE OF THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN INDONESIA

International Volunteer Day

05 December 2010

Statement by Mr. El-Mostafa Benlamlih, UN Resident Coordinator

Volunteers play an increasingly important role in the work of the United Nations and
other organisations in Indonesia and across the world. In homage to this contribution,
05 December has been known as International Volunteer Day for 25 years. In
Indonesia, this day is an opportunity for us to appreciate the many men and women
who volunteer every day in support of communities. Volunteers stand ready to save
lives and rebuild communities, from the hills of Yogyakarta in the aftermath of volcanic
eruption to neighborhoods of Wasior affected by floods.

Volunteers also have a significant role to play outside of natural disasters. As Indonesia
races ahead in terms of economic development, we must ensure that every man,
woman and child can benefit from these dividends. I am confident that the spirit of
volunteerism, or Gotong Royong, that is the inherent ethical principle of Indonesian
culture, will continue to play a vital role in ensuring equity and sustainability in human
development. From those that give their time to help run clinics in the villages of Aceh,
to those that assist in community empowerment activities in Papua, volunteers remain
at the heart of our joint efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in
Indonesia.

Through the United Nations Volunteers Program I look forward to further exploring
these partnerships in 2011 – the International Year of Volunteers - so that together we
can achieve our goals in human development and preserve the spirit of Gotong Royong
in Indonesia.