Lebanon

THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY (IVD) AND THE WRAP UP OF IYV2001 IN LEBANON

"The nations of the world today decided that the volunteers deserve an international Day to tell them thank you.thank you for being always there. Today at a time when the globe seems much concerned with material prosperity and still goes through so much violence and misery, the urgency of volunteering unfolds itself." Yves de San

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in partnership with FTML-Cellis and the Rotaract Club of Beirut celebrated on 5 December 2001 the International Volunteer Day (IVD) and the wrap-up of IYV2001 at the UN House. The event's agenda included speeches by His Excellency, the Minister of Social Affairs, and several other prominent individuals.

The IVD and IYV were conceived as a recognition to volunteers for their valuable contribution to society and to emphasize the crucial role of volunteerism. By mobilizing the private sector, funding research and volunteer centers and organizing workshops and conferences, The IYV objectives were reached: it enhanced recognition, facilitated, networked and promoted volunteerism.

The Event.

During the event, Mr. de San, UNDP/UNV's resident representative granted certificates to about 60 UNDP/UNV volunteers that worked closely with the organization during the past year. The ceremony was brightened with musical live performances of Ms. Lydia Canaan and was concluded by a breathtaking act of Guy Manokian during which more than 300 invitees were swept by the music of the project REG. 
The event was followed by a reception, catered by Institute Technique Franco-Libanais (ITFL) who will use the profits of the cocktail to fund one of the institution's vocational training projects. All partners cutting the IYV2001 cake together, as a sign of concluding IYV2001, opened the reception.
Following the reception, live interviews with volunteers, NGOs, corporations, and UNDP/UNV staff were held and taped, in order to produce a video on the event and on people's perception of volunteerism and its benefits to society, corporations and individuals.

BRIEFLY.Speeches and opinions

According to Mr. de San, the International Year of Volunteers gave a timely opportunity to look at the entire philosophy of volunteerism and raised awareness that volunteerism helps build strong and healthy societies around the world. He noted that during the past year the Lebanese civil society, the private sector, the National Committee and the UNV programme have been very active and successful in implementing various activities to promote the objectives of IYV. Mr. de San concluded that, though the international year is almost over, the engagement of the volunteers remains crucial and expressed his hope that many would be inspired to roll up their sleeves and join the worldwide movement of volunteers.

Mr. Kassem El-Saddik, the IYV2001 coordinator highlighted major achievements in Lebanon. He then demonstrated the dynamism created by IYV in the country starting in October 2000, passing through the establishment of the National Committee in December 2000, and its milestone national workshop, reaching the effective contribution in the International Symposium on volunteering in Geneva. Finally, he emphasized the various levels of volunteering, by demonstrating photos about the local, national and international perspectives of IVY2001.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ziad Hamade, president of the Rotary Club of Beirut, congratulated the many Rotary and Rotaract volunteers who have given their time and energy during 2001 in the various projects the clubs implemented to enhance professional, social and humanitarian development in Lebanon. In addition, Bernard Loutfi, president of the Rotaract Club of Beirut, stated that ''volunteerism is not an investment but an art of giving''. Finally, Mr. Ziad Abillama past president of the Rotaract Club of Beirut and award winner of the district 2450 Rotaract Anthem, sang the lyrics to the audience.

During her address, Mrs. Renalda Hayeck, Human Resources Manager of FTML-Cellis, said: '' We at FTML all believe we have responsibility to make our community stronger healthier and more vibrant. That's why we decided to launch Generations, our social activity for childhood protection". "The success of Generations would not have been possible without the will and the effort of the employees that carried this mission with great care and responsibility she added." Mrs. Hayeck explained that: "FTML's volunteers considered that they are drawing real benefits from their social activity. It is true that they are given some of their extra time but they are gaining more self esteem, self satisfaction and a sense of belonging to the social community and to their work community."

First Press Release

Beirut, 3 December. On December 5th International Volunteer Day (IVD) and the wrap-up of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV2001) will be celebrated in Lebanon.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, which is the voluntary arm of the United Nations and part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Beirut and FTML- Cellis have agreed to join hands and honor volunteers who have shared their time, skills and talents to enrich human development in Lebanon. The event will be held on:

Wednesday, 5 December 2001, between 7p.m. and 9 p.m.

UN House, Riad El-Solh Square, Conference Hall (B1 level)

The event's programme includes speeches and presentations from eminent speakers, musical intermezzos by Mr.Guy Manokian / Group REG and Ms. Lydia Canaan and granting certificates to volunteers from Rotary, Rotaract, FTML-Cellis and UNDP/UNV by Mr. Yves de San, UNDP Resident Representative. The event will be followed by a reception, catered by Institut Technique Franco-Libanais (ITFL) and profits will be used to fund one of the institution's vocational training projects.

The unique partnership between UNDP/UNV, Rotaract and FTML-Cellis established for celebrating this event is an illustration of UNDP/UNV's support to corporate responsibility initiatives in partnership with government agencies, private sector and NGOs.

During the past year UNDP/UNV programme has been active in implementing various successful activities to promote volunteerism in Lebanon: from the grand launch of the IYV in December 2000 to the organization of several events and workshops promoting volunteerism in all its aspects. In addition, under the patronage of H.E. Minister of Social Affairs, UNDP/UNV initiated the establishment of a National Committee on Volunteering to oversee the implementation of a plan of action for IYV and beyond in Lebanon. In July 2001 UNDP/UNV launched the 'Enhancing Business Community Relations' project, which aims at enhancing corporate social responsibility.

Rotaract is an international organization of service clubs for men and women aged 18-30 that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business and promotes international understanding and peace. Rotaract operates over 13 clubs in different regions of Lebanon. Since its establishment in 1984, the Rotaract Club of Beirut has implemented several projects related to the enhancement of professional, social and humanitarian development.

FTML- Cellis, a subsidiary of France Telecom worldwide group/Orange created in 1994, has been actively involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives and has launched, since August 2000, the Childhood Protection Programme under the name of "Generations". This project aims at supporting non-confessional associations and local NGOs in order to set up support programs for children who are rejected, abused, exploited in their work environment, for whom education is not provided or who are at risk of delinquency. As part of this endeavor 10% of FTML-Cellis employees are involved in volunteering activities.

Following this event it is anticipated that throughout 2002 a series of substantive lectures and events will be organized targeting enhanced awareness of volunteerism and corporate social responsibilities.

Second Press Release

Beirut, 6 December 2001, On 5 December 2001, the International Volunteer Day (IVD) and the wrap-up of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV2001) were celebrated at the UN House between 7p.m. and 9 p.m. The event was a joint initiative of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, the voluntary arm of the United Nations system administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and works through UNDP country offices, the Rotaract Club of Beirut and FTML- Cellis.

Mr. Yves de San, UNDP/UNV Resident Representative granted certificates to about 60 UNDP/UNV volunteers that worked closely with the organization during the past year. According to Mr. de San this International Year of Volunteers gave a timely opportunity to look at the entire philosophy of voluntarism and raised awareness that volunteerism helps build strong and healthy societies around the world. He noted that during the past year the Lebanese civil society, the private sector, the National Committee and the UNV programme has been very active and successful in implementing various activities to promote the objectives of IYV. Mr. de San concluded that, though the international year is almost over, the engagement of the volunteers remains crucial and expressed his hope that many would be inspired to roll up their sleeves and join the worldwide movement of volunteers. Finally he expressed his gratitude to all partners and performers for their collaboration to this event.

Mr. Kassem El-Saddik, the IYV2001 coordinator made then a presentation on major achievements in Lebanon, and demonstrated the dynamism created by IYV in the country.

Maitre Ziad Hamade, President of the Rotary Club of Beirut, congratulated the many Rotary and Rotaract volunteers who have been giving their time and energy during 2001 in the various projects the clubs are implementing to enhance professional, social and humanitarian development in Lebanon.

Bernard Loutfi, president of the Rotaract Club of Beirut, stated that ''the voluntarism is not an investment but the art of giving''. Mr. Yves de San, UNDP/UNV Resident Representative, granted certificates to 30 representatives from Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Lebanon.

During her address, Mrs. Renalda Hayeck, Human Resources Manager of FTML-Cellis, said: '' We all at FTML believe we have responsibility to make our community stronger healthier and more vibrant. That's why we decided to launch Generations, our social activity for childhood protection". "The success of Generations would not have been possible without the will and the effort of the employees that carried this mission with great care and responsibility she added. Mrs. Hayeck explained that:' FTML's volunteers considered that they are drawing real benefits from their social activity. It is true that they are given some of their extra time but they are gaining more self esteem, self satisfaction and a sense of belonging to the social community and to their work community." Mr. de San granted about 35 corporate volunteers of FTML-Cellis certificates.

The ceremony was brightened with musical live performances of Ms. Lydia Canaan and was concluded by a breathtaking act of Guy Manoukian during which more than 300 invitees were swept by the music of the project REG and the words 'enthusiasm, dedication, commitment, courage, giving and love that is what voluntarism is all about' by Ms. Lubna Forzley, UNDP/UNV Business-Community Relations Specialist.

The event was followed by a reception, catered by Institute Technique Franco-Libanais (ITFL) who will use the profits of the cocktail to fund one of the institution's vocational training projects.