During the United Nations Volunteers Turkey and Ministry of Youth and Sports’ joint event “International Volunteers Day: 2018 State of the Worlds Volunteerism Report Turkey Launch” on 7 December 2018, 2019 was declared as the Year of Volunteerism by the Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Muharrem Kasapoğlu.

“2019 Year of Volunteerism” launch event was held on 22 March 2019 at the Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center where strategies to develop and strengthen volunteerism were announced in scope of “Sports, Culture-Tourism, Environment, Disaster and Emergency, Education, Health and Social Services” areas and updates on current activities were shared.

The National Volunteering Committee Members, UN Volunteers Turkey Field Unit, academicians and civil society representatives came together at the launch.

In his speech, Minister Kasapoğlu gave references to the “2018 State of the Worlds Volunteerism Report” and emphasized the important role of volunteers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister also announced 6 strategic priority areas for the development of volunteerism in Turkey as follows: strengthening volunteerism culture; more efficient use of technology; improvement of regulations and risk management; strengthening volunteer management and increasing education; strengthening inter-institutional relations; recognition and evaluation of volunteerism.