| |
31 December 2011, BANGKOK —In honor of the contributions have made in the lives of the Thai people, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security hosted a celebration at the Miracle Grand Hotel on December 21. The event honoured hundreds of volunteers and was attended by more than 1,500 participants, including government, volunteer involving organizations and the media.
The Royal Thai Government showed their appreciation by presenting special awards to the best volunteer organizations to those with outstanding volunteering activities at the 20th meeting of the National Social Welfare Promotion Committee.
Five youth volunteers were recognized, including Thanakrit Chucherd, a 21-year old university student from Phitsanulok province transformed a vehicle into an ambulance car with his own money. He also arranged for emergency life saving equipment to help people in danger. Teerasak Messagna, Ampaipan Kamkeaw, Solsich Tawarapol, and Panida Junpol were also recognized for their efforts to fight crime, prevent HIV infection, encourage blood donation and participation in post-disaster recovery efforts.
The National Social Day and Thai Volunteer Day Event marked the recognition of International Volunteer Day in Thailand and the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. The United Nation Volunteers (UNV) also launched the first-ever State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, which demonstrates the contributions of volunteers make towards global development goals.
The report note the work of Thailand’s Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS, which mobilizes volunteers from Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Protestant communities across the country to organize home-based care activities for people with AIDS living in remote areas.
"When UNV launched its State of the World’s Volunteerism report, and it being the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers—and with the emergency natural disaster that occurred recently, it made me see the power of volunteering spirit and that volunteers should be seriously supported,” said Panita Panita Kambhu Na Ayutthaya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.”
Panita Kambhu said she felt the event was the appropriate time for the provincial/national welfare meeting to discuss the recommendation on the development of Thai volunteers, who make up a significant contribution to Thailand’s development.
A presentation on the development of Thai volunteers was given by the Thai Volunteer Service Foundation, Ministry of Social Development and Welfare, and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Recommendations on development strategies were also presented with the opportunities for meeting participants to express their opinions on how to develop the Thai volunteers in the future.
The event also celebrated the birthday of the Royal grandmother, Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, and highlighted Royal social welfare projects that encourage social responsibility.
The event also featured an exhibition of volunteer involving organizations.
For further information, please contact:
Mark S. Cogan, Communications and Media Officer, UNDP Thailand, office: 02 288 1887, cell: 087 972 7435; mark.cogan@undp.org
|
|
