UEA research centre welcomes UN resolution on International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development
By: Communications
Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are opening a special new archive tomorrow to celebrate the United Nations (UN) naming 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
The archive, held by UEA’s Institute for Volunteering Research, will make 25 years of volunteering research available online for the first time.
The centre, based at UEA, is one of the UK’s leading hubs for volunteering research.
The International Year will be launched on International Volunteers Day, which is celebrated globally on December 5 as an annual moment to recognise, thank and celebrate volunteers everywhere.
The global initiative calls for action from governments, communities and academics to highlight the role of volunteering in building a sustainable future.
"This is the perfect time for us to unlock decades of work for the public,” said Dr Jurgen Grotz.
“Twenty-five years ago, the Institute of Volunteering Research evaluated the first International Year of Volunteers. While the world and our understanding of volunteering have evolved, the need for high-quality research into volunteering is greater than ever.
“This new archive will share decades of research as well as key resources, including a Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit,” he added.
The archive also backs local initiatives including the Employer Supported Volunteering Scheme, student volunteering through the Student Union, and alumni programmes.
The UN’s Doha Political Declaration underlines the importance of volunteerism at all levels, recognising its role in strengthening social cohesion and civic engagement—values IVR says are at the heart of its mission.
For more details, visit UEA’s Institute for Volunteering Research or email info.ivr@uea.ac.uk.
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