As many as 95 activities have been registered under the Day of Action campaign, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad said yesterday in a message in conjunction with the International Volunteer Day 2023.
The minister said, “This year is the eighth year of the campaign. This year’s celebration will also be held simultaneously nationwide featuring activities such as communal work, environmental conservation and volunteer awareness.
“More than 40 activities were carried out last month and early this month.”
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), through the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society, has welcomed nine volunteers from ASEAN member countries to participate in the ASEAN Volunteer Programme themed ‘ASEAN Volunteers: Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness’.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi added, “This year, the International Volunteer Day recognises the power of collective action through the theme ‘If Everyone Did’, which focuses on collective efforts and actions by all levels of the community.
“This is in line with the MCYS Day of Action campaign – a marathon of volunteering works in conjunction with International Volunteer Day 2023.”
To raise awareness on volunteerism in the Sultanate, especially among youth, the minister said, “The Day of Action encourages involvement in various volunteering and humanitarian activities from all walks of life.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi added, “The theme is also a call for everyone in the community to start playing their part. Therefore, let us contribute to the community by offering help, giving time and energy with the spirit of giving and not expecting anything in return.”
Additionally, “the theme also shows the culture of preparedness and the caring attitude in the Bruneian community with the cooperation of all agencies including the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), individuals and groups of persons with disabilities”.
The minister believes the response during the COVID-19 pandemic proved that volunteers are trustworthy, and care for the community tirelessly and without hesitation.
“The sweat of frontline volunteers helped all agencies in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
“Therefore, in conjunction with International Volunteer Day celebration, I thank all volunteers directly or indirectly involved in the activities or volunteer programmes.
Hopefully, the implementation of volunteering programmes and activities can drive the spirit of volunteerism among Bruneians.”
The Day of Action campaign started in 2016. As of 2022, the campaign had gathered more than 3,000 volunteers in over 200 activities.
International Volunteer Day, which falls on December 5, is a day where efforts and contribution of volunteers are recognised, the spirit of volunteerism promoted and awareness raising on volunteer services. – James Kon
