By Rolinda J. Kantan & Hawa S. Dolley
MONROVIA, Dec. 6 (LINA) – Deputy Labor Minister for Manpower Development, Phil T. Dixon, has said volunteerism is an « opportunity and not a privilege, » noting that the skills acquired when serving as a volunteer are critical to national growth.
Serving as a volunteer, Dixon observed, helps a person to gain knowledge and strengthen their professional background, noting that most of the things that people do for free without expecting a reward can be done through volunteering, student leadership and youth advocacy, among others.
Speaking in Monrovia on Wednesday at programs marking the observance of World Volunteer Day, the Deputy Labor Minister also indicated that the skill obtained when rendering voluntary services will go a long way in impacting the society and nation.
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts, and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.
Referring to the recent drawdown of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, which witnessed the departure of many expatriates and volunteer UN workers from the country, Dixon said a good number of skills could have remained or be a part of the national workforce of Liberia had many Liberians volunteered.
Dixon wants Liberians to see volunteerism as an important step towards building their skills and the nation’s human resource capacity by extension.
LINA RJK/HSD/WSG/PTK
