New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle desk:
World NGO Day is observed on February 27th every year to celebrate the work and contribution of various NGOs around the world. The day aims to inspire people to get actively involved with NGOs, be it in the public sector or the private sector. It also aims to educate people about NGOs, their importance and impact.
World NGO Day is also an opportunity to honor and congratulate NGO founders, staff, volunteers, members and supporters.
World NGO Day was officially proposed and recognized by 12 countries at the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania on April 17, 2010. The member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum were Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway and Sweden. “The civil society dimension should be an integral part of every element of the strategy. Likewise, the social responsibility of the corporate sector and partnerships with public institutions will be promoted,” the proposal statement said.
The first global inaugural event of World NGO Day was hosted by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 27, 2014 in Helsinki, Finland. The international guests were leaders from UNOPS, UNESCO, UNDP, the European Union, the Nordic Council and international organizations.
This day is an opportunity to reflect on hard work and selfless service. At present there are millions of volunteers, social activists who provide their services to society and many of them do it for free.
The day also helps people around the world understand what NGOs are actually doing for society at local, national and international levels.
Written by: Mukul Sharma
