In corporation with a number of UN agencies and NGOs in Syria, the UNV Programme is promoting volunteerism for environmental awareness through organizing an Environmental Campaign focusing on canvas bags as an alternative to plastic bags.Since 1985, the International Volunteer Day (IVD) has been celebrated around the world by governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies and, of course, volunteers. They join forces on this day to promote a common goal - recent celebrations having strategically focused on achieving the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year, Syrian efforts aim to raise awareness of environmental – within the MDG 7 (environment), and with a specific focus on plastic.
Syria has made progress on most of the MDGs but especially the MDG 7 is in need of extra attention. In Syria, desertification is spreading, water resources are scarce – the 2008 Human Development Report predicts that Syria’s water resources will be halved in 20 years – and pollution (including free-flying plastic bags) is high.
Activities throughout the day seek to raise environmental awareness and advocate volunteerism for sustainable development. For the first time in Syria, IVD activities will also take place in another major city besides Damascus: Lattakia. The main activities are:
- Cleaning up: Selected areas of each city are cleaning by volunteers, mobilized and organized by the Red Crescent, the main implementing partner;
- Environmental awareness raising: Canvas bags, flyers and booklets on environmental and plastic hazards are distributed;
The IVD Environmental Campaign is meant to continue. If any left, continued distribution of canvas bags and booklets in supermarkets and other central places after the IVD will be implemented by the participating NGOs. In addition, an Environmental Volunteer Network has been suggested to be formed in partnership with the government and the private sector, to continue the organizing of public activities to raise environmental awareness.