Doha, December 04 (QNA) - Each year on December 5, volunteers return to the spotlight in recognition of their invaluable contributions to humanity, whether in moments of joy or times of crisis. This is International Volunteer Day, an occasion that offers a timely opportunity to reflect on how deeply the culture of volunteerism has taken root in communities around the world.
The United Nations has chosen this year's theme, "Every Contribution Matters," a slogan that carries particular significance as it marks the global launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (2026).
The UN proclaimed Dec. 5 as International Volunteer Day in 1985, aiming to thank volunteers for their selfless work and to raise public awareness of volunteerism in order to encourage broader community participation.
In 2023, the UN General Assembly designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. The resolution calls on member states, UN entities, international and regional organizations, and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and academia, to observe the year in ways that highlight the vital role of volunteers in advancing sustainable development.
The General Assembly also urged member states and all participants in the celebration of the International Year to formally recognize both the official and informal contributions of volunteers to the achievement and measurement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It encouraged the integration of volunteerism into national development plans, the adoption of policies that eliminate inequalities and risks associated with volunteering, and the support of programs that promote knowledge-sharing and the development of new forms of volunteer work.
In its resolution, the General Assembly called on the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme to facilitate the implementation of the International Year, taking into account the provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 67/1980. It also requested the UNV programme to report back to the Assembly at its eighty-second session on progress made, including an assessment of the Year's implementation.
The resolution stressed that the costs of all activities decided upon in connection with the implementation of this resolution should be funded by voluntary contributions, including those from the private sector.
For its part, the State of Qatar places great importance on volunteer work, through institutions mandated to organize, support, and promote volunteerism.
In this regard, former Head of the Volunteer Department at Qatar Charity, Fatima Juma Issa Al Muhannadi, stated in an exclusive interview with the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that volunteering is not a peripheral activity in society, but rather a powerful force capable of transforming realities and shaping individuals who are more aware and responsible. She noted that in her day-to-day experience, volunteering changes the volunteer even before it touches the beneficiary, it offers meaning, a sense of accomplishment, and a clearer understanding of one's role in society.
At the community level, she explained, volunteerism builds bridges of trust between institutions and the public and accelerates solutions to social challenges through initiative rather than reliance on traditional approaches. The impact of volunteerism often appears in simple yet profound moments: a child regaining a sense of safety at a protection center, a family receiving long-overdue care, a student embarking on a journey of service to society, or an institution addressing a social gap thanks to a team of volunteers. These small moments, she said, are what drive real transformation. Volunteerism is a shared language that unites people despite their differences, and it is the smartest investment in human capital, an idea reflected in this year's theme: Every Contribution Matters. 

In discussing ways to strengthen volunteerism, particularly among younger generations, Al Mohannadi emphasized that nurturing a culture of volunteerism requires more than inviting young people to take part in activities. She noted that the youth need spaces where they can see their impact firsthand, not just theoretical lectures.
She noted that embedding volunteer work into schools and universities, offering relatable young role models, and providing simple and secure platforms for opportunities can encourage meaningful engagement and skill development.
She highlighted a growing need for specialized volunteers in fields such as child protection, mental health, education, and family support. Knowledge-based volunteering, including legal, technical, research, and awareness-focused work, is becoming increasingly important in an information-heavy era.
Al Mohannadi emphasized the value of long-term, sustainable volunteer projects and noted that institutional volunteerism is gaining traction as companies integrate community initiatives into their responsibilities. She said effective volunteering must respond to real community needs and be professionally organized and measured.
On digital transformation, she observed that although progress is being made in the Arab and Islamic world, significant potential remains. Technology, she said, is now essential for expanding participation, measuring impact, and building volunteer networks. She added that artificial intelligence can further reshape volunteering by improving needs assessment, matching tasks with skills, and providing instant training.
Al Mohannadi expects greater integration between digital and on-the-ground volunteering in the coming years, noting that the main challenge lies in using technology responsibly to serve human needs. (QNA)