Today is a new day, full of opportunities and chances. Opportunity to rectify your mistakes, make a difference, or learn a new skill. Each day brings something new to our lives. It is full of possibilities and adventures. Don’t just waste this chance. Opportunities once lost never come back. So let us use this opportunity to learn something new about today. December 5 celebrates International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development as well as World Soil Day.
source- un.org
World Soil Day
Soil is an important part of our ecosystem. It nurtures plants and many organisms that contribute to the environment. However, we often overlook its importance and perceive it as just dirt. World soil day is an attempt to spread awareness about soil’s importance. It also aims to motivate people to work to decrease soil pollution and soil erosion.
History
The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) proposed the idea of celebrating December 5 as World Soil Day. In order to celebrate the importance of soil and raise awareness about Soil Pollution. They also considered it a means for advocating sustainable management of soil resources. To support the cause, the 68 UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. The day is still mostly celebrated by soil scientists.
How to celebrate
The best way to celebrate this day is to educate ourselves and the surrounding people about this cause. We can do so in many ways. Schools or colleges could organize different competitions on this topic. We could also make posters and small videos to educate people.
One way to celebrate is to take steps to prevent soil pollution. There are also many ways through which we could prevent soil pollution. By reducing the use of plastic and chemical fertilizers, we can preserve the integrity of the soil. Another way to prevent soil erosion is by planting trees.
source- webplus.info
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is also known as Internal Volunteer Day. Mandated by the UN General Assembly, it is an opportunity for volunteers to work together on different projects and campaigns. Mainly to promote their contributions to economic and social development. It also celebrates their efforts to bring a change in this society. Every Year on International Volunteer Day, United Nations Volunteers gives away the UNV Online Volunteering Award.
History
The UN Assembly declared December 5 as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development in 1985. It was adopted on 17 December 1985 through Resolution A/RES/40/212[4]. 2001 was observed as the International Year of Volunteers. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) also supports and conducts campaigns for International Volunteer Day. Eighty countries annually celebrate this day.
In 2012, the United Nations Volunteers coordinated a Five-Year International Volunteer Day Strategy. Its primary aim was to promote this cause more globally. One of its principal focus is to achieve the seventeen Sustainable goals.
How to celebrate
We could celebrate this day by volunteering in different small organizations. One could volunteer individually at orphanages or old age homes. There are different causes and ways one could volunteer. Like promoting gender equality. Nowadays many colleges have also started such initiatives. Giving students an opportunity to volunteer their services. Being the privileged one, as we have the resources and skills to help other people. So why not use them?
