Doha, September 14 (QNA) - The Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities (AFVA) is set to celebrate on Tuesday the Arab Volunteer Day, which falls annually on Sept. 15, with an evening ceremony at the headquarters of the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association.
The ceremony will honor 100 volunteers from the Pioneers Volunteer Team in Qatar, in recognition of their contributions and efforts in serving the community, promoting a culture of volunteering, and strengthening the values of giving and social responsibility.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), President of the AFVA, Dr. Yousef Ali Al Kazim said this year's Arab Volunteer Day celebration is being held under the theme "Honoring Giving, Celebrating Impact," underscoring the importance of recognizing volunteers who have made giving a way of life and who, through their efforts and initiatives, have created a positive and sustainable impact on society.
He stressed that AFVA is committed to commemorating the occasion every year, driven by its belief that voluntary work represents a fundamental pillar in promoting humanitarian and ethical values, encouraging individuals to participate in building their communities and contributing to their development.
Al Kazim noted that the federation's journey since its establishment has been marked by numerous achievements, alongside the expansion of voluntary work and the growing number of volunteers. This, he said, reflects increasing awareness of the importance of community participation and the role volunteering plays in supporting development efforts.
He explained that this year's theme reflects the federation's vision of the value of volunteer work, which is not measured solely by the number of hours contributed or initiatives undertaken, but rather by the genuine and sustainable impact volunteers leave in the lives of individuals and communities.
The volunteer, he added, does not simply contribute time and effort, but also helps create change, build bridges of cooperation and transform initiatives into sustainable impact that benefits society.
Al Kazim said the theme was chosen following the launch of the Dr. Kazem Nouri Volunteering Award, which aims to recognize inspiring models in the field of voluntary work and encourage more initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen social cohesion.
He explained that the ceremony will include the announcement of the winners of the award, which comprises five main categories: Individual Leadership Award, Institutional Excellence Award, International Volunteering Award, Arab Volunteering Award, and International or Regional Organizations Award.
He noted that the award received 44 projects and initiatives this year across its five categories, reflecting the diversity of volunteer experiences and initiatives and the expanding scope of voluntary work at the local, Arab and international levels.
The President of AFVA said the celebration program will also include the announcement of the fourth edition of the Short Story Competition for Children and Young People aged 10 to 17, as well as the unveiling of the subject for this year's competition.
He explained that the competition reflects the federation's commitment to reaching younger generations, instilling in them the values of volunteering, giving and social responsibility, and encouraging them to express these values through creativity and writing. The initiative, he said, contributes to nurturing a generation that believes in the importance of participation and serving the community.
Al Kazim emphasized that the celebration of Arab Volunteer Day is not confined to Qatar. AFVA members in various Arab countries will also mark the occasion by organizing volunteer events, activities and initiatives in their respective countries, reflecting the unity of the Arab volunteering mission and the integration of efforts among volunteers, institutions and organizations concerned with voluntary work.
He stressed that the growing interest in volunteer work among communities, institutions and organizations at the local, Arab and international levels reflects the deep-rooted nature of noble humanitarian values. It also contributes to mobilizing human energies and capabilities and directing them toward building and development.
Arab Volunteer Day represents an annual occasion to renew the commitment to supporting and empowering volunteers, moving volunteering from individual initiatives toward sustainable institutional action, and strengthening partnerships that can make volunteering an effective force in serving people and communities and advancing development.
This year's theme, "Honoring Giving, Celebrating Impact," embodies the federation's vision of the value of volunteer work, which is measured not only by the number of hours contributed or initiatives launched, but by the genuine and sustainable impact volunteers leave in the lives of individuals and communities.
The volunteer, the theme emphasizes, does not merely give time and effort, but contributes to creating change, building bridges of cooperation and transforming initiatives into sustainable impact that benefits society.
Al Kazim further highlighted the special significance of this year's celebration in light of the longstanding journey of the Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities, which was established in 2003 as an Arab framework bringing together voluntary efforts, supporting and promoting a culture of volunteer work, and strengthening cooperation and the exchange of expertise among institutions, teams and volunteers across Arab countries.
The Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities was established through a Qatari initiative in 2003, with Doha selected as its headquarters during the federation's founding meeting. The federation aims to strengthen cooperation among voluntary organizations across the Arab world and currently comprises 19 Arab countries as members. (QNA)