Participation of volunteers, "White Helmets", in activities of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development.

Participation of volunteers, "White Helmets", in activities of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development.

On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the UN General Assembly adopted this resolution (A/RES/40/212) on 17 December 1985, establishing 5 December as International Volunteer Day.

The General Assembly bearing in mind the recommendations of the Sana'a Declaration, adopted at the High-level Symposium on International Volunteer Service and Development. In addition, The General Assembly reaffirms that the United Nations Volunteers programme continues to be an effective instrument of multilateral technical co-operation programmes responding to the needs of the developing countries, particulitary to those of the last developed among them.

The General Assembly renews its appeal to Governments, organizations and individuals to contribute or to increase their contributions to the Special Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Volunteers, and notes with appreciation that a substantial contribution has been made to the programme this year by one individual.

The General Assembly notes with satisfaction the successful achievement of the United Nations Volunteers programme during the first decade of service, that it is active in 93 countries, including the least developed countries, and that it has, in response to GA resolution 34/107 of 14 December 1979, reached ahead of schedule the target of 1000 volunteers in service.

The resolution noted a change in the title of the post of Coordinator of UNV. It was considered that the title of Executive Coordinator would reflect better the functions and responsibilities of the post.

The General Assembly recognizes the need for wider and more effective use of all appropriate channels that would allow young people to participate in a concrete and effective manner in national development and in the activities of the United Nations at the national, regional, interregional and international level.

The General Assembly endorses an increase in the number of volunteers in service to a level of one thousand by 1983 to meet the needs and the requests of developing countries, subject to the availability of funds and with the understanding that the quality of the programme will not be adversely affected.

The General Assembly is convinced that, with a greater proportion of technically qualified volunteers currently being reqruited from developing countries themselves, the United Nations Programmes is assuming an important role as an instrument of technical cooperation among developing countries. Also, The General Assembly appeals to the Governments of the Member States to consider contributing to or increasing their contributions to the Special Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Volunteers.