International Volunteer DayInternational Volunteer Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1985. Over the years it has become an opportunity for organisations of all kinds to take time out to recognise the contribution of their volunteers.

On this day last year, Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations said:

Founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, volunteerism transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose.

Volunteers drive the Drupal project. Much of the code in the project was offered up by volunteers. But volunteers also manage our infrastructure, organise our conferences and community events, and help people learn about Drupal in their local communities.

International Volunteer Day focuses in particular on those doing development work in poor countries and communities. Drupal is used by non-profit and non-government organisations, as well as organisations that are powered purely by volunteer effort.

The Drupal Association is proud to join in this global celebration.  We’d like to draw more attention to the UN’s wonderful online volunteering program, see https://www.onlinevolunteering.org. There are often calls for help for things we can do so easily with Drupal!

So today, we’d like to take a moment to reflect and celebrate the spirit of volunteering, and at the same time thank and recognise the legions of volunteers in our own community. From those working directly in Drupal Core, to those contributing modules, themes, training materials and documentation to our ecosystem, and on to those using Drupal to help make the world a better place.  Thank you. You are all extraordinary, and we salute you!

Comments

Tradorf’s picture

It is great to have such a day on calendar, but I think they should advertise more about it. Personally I did not know anything about it until I read about it here.