Ms. Vidiana Xareal, External Relations Coordinator for CVTL, represented the Secretary General at the International Volunteer Day celebrations held in Dili.
I have been given the task to do the closing ceremony for this very important Day – International Volunteers Day (IVD) – celebrated throughout the world for the volunteers who give up their time to share their skills in helping making this a better world.
It is estimated that more than one billion people volunteer globally and more than two thousand CVTL volunteers around country of Timor-Leste for solidarity and humanity, for people and the planet. IVD is an occasion to pay tribute to volunteers worldwide and to recognize the value of volunteerism in advancing peace and development.
We have heard from some of inspiring speeches today including Ms. Caitilin Wilson – Australian Chargé d’ Affaires from the Australian Embassy; Ms. Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Abosede Balogun-Alexander – UN Resident Coordinator and, Jose de Sousa Country Program Manager for the Australian Volunteer Program the Launch of the KAP (Knowledge, Attitude & Perception) Report on Voluntarism in Timor-Leste from Australian Volunteer Program. Also representatives spoke on behalf of H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, our President of the Republic of Timor-Leste; H.E Dr. Nelio Isaac Minister of Youth, Sport, Art & Culture
Today’s theme for International Volunteers Day is about “Celebrating our stories” – and we had some wonderful poems from the PCTL team of volunteers.
For us at CVTL – volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. We would not be able to do the important work without our teams of trained volunteers across all 13 municipalities. They give their time to work during natural disasters; educate our community about COVID-19, dengue, healthy youth and nutrition to name a few. They are there proving first aid at big events or training community members basic first aid. Our volunteers help with blood mobilization to help keep our hospitals going and saving lives. We are also lucky to have some international volunteers mentoring at CVL – from Australia, New Zealand and Japan. We are very proud of all our volunteers as with all the others in our country to help make it a better place. For this special day, CVTL recognized our volunteers with certificates.
The UN’s theme for IVD 2023 is Recognizing the Power of Collective Action: if everyone did. If everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place.
I conclude with a special thank you to all volunteers both here and across the world.
The Red Cross of Timor-Leste (CVTL) is a humanitarian organization that works based on the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. Our vision is to Save lives and improve the quality most vulnerable people. Our mission is to mobilize young people, volunteers’ action across all of Timor-Leste, through a strong and sustainable organization, and from the beginning to the present time (2000-2023). As a National Society its main focus is on helping the vulnerable communities in Timor-Leste, CVTL’s work covering the municipalities and the volunteers carry out CVTL activities in its branches, further promoting the history of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, 7 Fundamental Principles, International Humanitarian Law, Emblems and the CVTL decree law includes the activities and programmes of CVTL.
