VSO VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

That this House welcomes International Volunteer Day on 5th December; pays tribute to over 32,000 individuals who, through the support of the Department for International Development and other funders, have volunteered with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) in over 120 countries; thanks them for sharing their skills in some of the world's most disadvantaged communities, and helping empower local people to find their own way out of poverty; praises the valuable contribution that VSO volunteers make to active citizenship, development awareness and social cohesion on their return to the UK; and therefore supports the efforts of VSO and other organisations to encourage more people to volunteer overseas.