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Doha: The Arab Federation for Voluntary Work will celebrate the Arab Volunteering Day on September 15, 2026, which falls on September 15 each year, during a ceremony held in the evening at the headquarters of the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association.
The ceremony will include honoring 100 volunteers from the Pioneers Team for Voluntary Work in the State of Qatar, in recognition of their dedication and contributions to serving the community, and their efforts in promoting the culture of volunteering and instilling the values of giving and social responsibility.
In this context, Dr. Yusuf Ali Al Kazim, President of the Arab Federation for Voluntary Work, told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this year’s celebration of Arab Volunteering Day will be held under the slogan "We Honor Giving... and Celebrate Impact," emphasizing the importance of appreciating volunteers who have made giving a principle in their lives and have contributed through their efforts and initiatives to a positive and sustainable impact in society.
He affirmed that the Federation is keen to observe this occasion annually, based on its belief that voluntary work represents a fundamental pillar in consolidating human and ethical values, enhancing individual participation in community building, and contributing to its development.
He pointed out that the Federation’s journey since its establishment has witnessed many achievements, In addition to the expansion of the scope of volunteer work and the growing number of volunteers, which reflects the increasing awareness of the importance of community participation and the role of volunteering in supporting development paths, Dr. Kazim explained that this year's celebration slogan reflects the Union's vision of the value of volunteer work, which is not measured solely by the number of hours or initiatives, but by the real and sustainable impact a volunteer leaves on the lives of individuals and communities.
He pointed out that a volunteer does not only offer their time and effort but also contributes to creating change, building bridges of cooperation, and transforming initiatives into sustainable impact that benefits society. He added that the selection of this year's slogan came following the launch of the Dr. Kazem Nouri Award for Volunteer Work, which aims to honor inspiring models in the field of volunteer work and to encourage more initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainable development and strengthening social cohesion.
He explained that the celebration will witness the announcement of the award winners, which comprises five main levels: the Individual Leadership Award, the Institutional Excellence Award, the International Volunteer Work Award, the Arab Volunteer Work Award, and the Award for International or Regional Organizations.
He pointed out that the award witnessed this year the participation of 44 projects and initiatives distributed across its five levels, reflecting the diversity of experiences and voluntary initiatives, as well as the breadth of volunteer work in local, Arab, and international contexts.
He mentioned that the celebration program also includes the announcement of the fourth edition of the short story competition for children and young people aged 10 to 17 years, and the unveiling of the story theme for this edition, explaining that the competition is part of the Union's keenness to reach new generations, instill values of volunteering, giving, and social responsibility in them, and encourage them to express these values through creativity and writing, contributing to the upbringing of a generation that believes in the importance of participation and serving society.
He stated that celebrating Arab Volunteer Day is not limited to the State of Qatar, as the Union’s members in various Arab countries participate in commemorating the occasion by organizing events, activities, and voluntary initiatives in their countries, reflecting the unity of the Arab voluntary mission and the integration of efforts between volunteers, institutions, and concerned bodies.
He emphasized that the growing interest in volunteer work by communities, institutions, and local, Arab, and international bodies reflects the deep-rooted noble human values, and contributes to mobilizing human energies and capacities and directing them towards construction and development.
The Arab Volunteer Day represents an annual occasion to renew the commitment to supporting and empowering volunteers, to transition volunteerism from individual initiatives to sustainable institutional work, and to strengthen partnerships that make volunteerism an effective force in serving humanity, society, and achieving development.
This year’s celebration slogan, "We Honor Giving… and Celebrate Impact," embodies the Union’s vision of the value of volunteer work, which is measured not only by the number of hours or initiatives but by the long-lasting and tangible impact left by the volunteer on the lives of individuals and communities; the volunteer does not only offer their time and effort but also contributes to creating change, building bridges of cooperation, and transforming initiatives into sustainable outcomes that benefit society.
The President of the Arab Volunteer Work Union emphasized that this year's celebration holds special significance given the extended journey of the Arab Volunteer Work Union, which was established in 2003 to serve as an Arab framework that brings together volunteer efforts, contributes to supporting and spreading the culture of volunteer work, and enhances cooperation and the exchange of experiences among institutions, teams, and volunteers in Arab countries.
It is noted that the Arab Volunteer Work Union was established through a Qatari initiative in 2003, with Doha chosen as its headquarters during the Union's founding meeting. The Union aims to strengthen cooperation among volunteer entities in the Arab world and currently has 19 Arab countries as members.
