It was an International Volunteer Day like no other in Libya. On this day, the UN volunteers program was launched for the first time in the country.

Marking the occasion in Libya, more than 38 national associations and private sector enterprises have started the celebrations since early November with activities and celebrations that took place across several locations in the country, namely Tripoli, Subratah, Alzaoiah, Fazan, Sabha, Zoarah, Faroah Island, Jedabiah, Serman and Benghazy. The culmination and closing of the marking was held in Tripoli’s Old City on Thursday evening 5 December 2013. Presentations of IVD marking initiatives by the national associations took part, as well as honoring volunteers who carried out the activities of the IVD marking by the UN Volunteer Field Unit and the project “Support to Civic Engagement in Libya’s Transition” SCELT.

During the event, an announcement was made of the launch of the UN volunteer program in Libya to strengthen volunteer work in support of development.

"It is said that volunteerism brings out the best in people,” said Aisha Raffay, UN volunteer program officer in Libya. “And in the last few days, while preparing for marking the IVD, I have witnessed the best in the Libyan community – youths and more than 38 civil society associations coming together to mark the occasion under the theme Young.Global.Active.”

International Volunteer Day is a chance for individual volunteers, communities and organizations to promote their contributions to development at the local, national and international levels. By combining UN support with a grassroots mandate, International Volunteer Day is a unique opportunity for people and volunteer-involving organizations to work with government agencies, non-profit institutions, community groups, academia and the private sector.

Internation Volunteer Day 2013 is a global celebration of young people acting as the agents of change in their communities.

The United Nations Volunteers programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on 5 December.

This year’s them, “YOUNG.GLOBAL.ACTIVE”, offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions - at local, national and international levels - to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).