International Volunteer Day Shimla Himachal Pradesh

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Swayam 2011

An event to recognize and promote volunteerism for holistic and sustainable development

December 5, 2011 Centre of Excellence Govt. Degree College, Sanjauli, Shimla

REPORT

BACKGROUND

Selfless service offered by volunteers generally plays a pivotal role in effective response, relief

and recovery in the aftermaths of a disaster. This fact becomes even more relevant when wetalk of the areas having a geo-physically difficult terrain and adverse climatic conditions

where the institutional mechanism for disaster management requires more time and

resources to respond. In states like Himachal Pradesh, there have been incidences when

spontaneous volunteers have displayed great spirits and saved the lives of many disaster-

stuck people while risking their own lives. The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management

Authority (HPSDMA) recognizes the significance and value of volunteering in the area of

disaster preparedness and response. On the great occasion of the 10th

anniversary of the

International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10), the HPSDMA organized an event titled as Swayam-2011 to recognize and promote volunteerism for holistic and sustainable development.

The HPSDMA also provided the financial assistance for Swayam-2011. Mr. Deepak Sanan

(Principal Secretary, Revenue Deptt.) and Mr. Gopal Chand (Joint Secretary, Revenue Deptt.)

provided the much-needed support to make this event successful. Mr. D. C. Rana (State

Project Officer- Himachal Pradesh, UNDP - GoI DRR Programme) rendered his valuable inputs

over the event planning and execution. UN Volunteer Navneet Yadav (Capacity Building

Associate- HP) coordinated the activities of Swayam-2011 with the technical facilitation fromMs. Amita Dahiya (UNV National Coordinator for IYV+10).

The Centre of Excellence Govt. Degree College, Sanjauli, Shimla was the host and co-organizer

of this first of its kind initiative in the state which was witnessed by more than 650

participants. The Principal of the college Prof. Amar Dev provided valuable support in

organizing the event, while Dr. Sanghamitra Burathoki (Coordinator- College Environment

Club) and Dr. Meena Sharma (Coordinator- College Disaster Management Club) played a

crucial role in the coordination and management of Swayam-2011.

While the core theme of Swayam- 2011was Role of Volunteers in Disaster Risk Reduction,

the main objectives of the event were based on the four pillars of the IYV:

Recognition: acknowledging the value of volunteerism Facilitation: ensuring that people have access to volunteer opportunities Networking: fostering the exchange of experience and strengthening partnerships

among different entities promoting and implementing volunteer projects

Promotion: promoting inclusive volunteerism


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Swayam 2011



REPORT

Swayam-2011: A brief overview of the activities

Prof. Amar Dev, Principal, Govt. Degree College, inaugurated the 'Swayam-2011' by lighting

the lamp. A student representative welcomed the guests and participants and invited Dr.

Sanghamitra Burathoki, Coordinator- Environment Club, to present a brief background of the

International Volunteers Day and the 10th anniversary of International Year of Volunteers i.e.

IYV+10. Dr. Sanghamitra told the participants about the significance of the IYV+10 and

described the four pillars of International Year of Volunteers. She also conveyed the message

given by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the occasion of IYV+10.

After this, Mr. Navneet Yadav, UN Volunteer and Capacity Building and Training Associate- HP

(GoI-UNDP DRR Programme) explained the concept of volunteerism and presented an

overview of the state of volunteering in India and Himachal Pradesh. Mr. Yadav elucidated the

need of volunteering in the state and said that we need to understand the value of the

services rendered by national and overseas volunteers in various spheres of development. He

also delivered a brief presentation on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with focus

on India and endorsed the critical need of voluntary services to meet these goals.

Moving towards a more DRR-centric approach to volunteering, Dr. Bhagwati Charan

presented the hazards and vulnerability in Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Charan said that naturaldisasters have always kept on affecting the land, people and the environment of the state and

it is very crucial to raise the awareness of the communities for better preparedness and

effective response. Continuing with the role of community leaders and volunteers in disaster

preparedness and response, Mr. Navneet Yadav highlighted the different areas where

volunteers can play a vital role in. Mr. Yadav said that there have been instances when

volunteers saved the lives of the victims of a disaster and helped them in a selfless manner.

He stated that while there is great need of recognizing the role of volunteers in disaster risk

reduction, it is equally significant to promote volunteering to create larger network ofvolunteers in the state.

Presenting a great volunteering opportunity for the youth of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Yadav

briefed the participants about the creation of a state-wide volunteers Database by the

Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority. In order to encourage the participants for

volunteering, Mr. Yadav cited the example of Tenzin Gyachho, an enthusiastic volunteer who

was the first volunteer to get registered in the database of HPSDMA.


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Swayam 2011



REPORT

After the presentations, six short films with volunteering as their core theme were

showcased. During this film-show, participants learnt about how people of diverse age-groups

and socio-cultural backgrounds come forward to make positive changes through volunteering.

Sharing his views on this occasion, Prof. Amar Dev, Principal, GDC Sanjauli, thanked the

HPSDMA and the coordinators for 'Swayam-2011' to organize a very interesting event for the

students of the college. He offered his gratitude to Mr. D. C. Rana (State Project Officer- HP)

for providing valuable guidance and support to make the event successful. Prof. Amar Dev

emphasized the pro-active approach of the community leaders who volunteer during adverse

circumstances and assist the people affected by any ill-fated event. Prof. Amar Dev

encouraged the participants to get themselves registered in the volunteer database of the

HPSDMA to strengthen the DRR related endeavors in the state.

Formally concluding the 'Swayam-2011', Dr. Meena Sharma, Coordinator- Disaster

Management Club, thanked the college administration to contribute in the successful

management of 'Swayam-2011'. She also thanked Mr. D. C. Rana and Mr. Navneet Yadav for

conceptualizing and planning this event.

News Clippings

To get more information about this event of to become a

volunteer, please contact Navneet Yadav

Email: [email protected]

International Volunteer Day Shimla Himachal Pradesh

Documents

Transcript of International Volunteer Day Shimla Himachal Pradesh