CELEBRATIONS - 5 DECEMBER 2000 AND LAUNCHING OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS 2001
Introduction:
The International Volunteer Day (IVD) Programme in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 5 December 2000 was very unique and historic, as it marked the launching of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001.
Summary of the Day’s Programme:
The day’s programme to mark the International Volunteer Day (IVD and launching of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001 was held at the Miatta Conference grounds, Brookfields, Freetown.
Preceding the formal programme was a very colourful marchpast of over one hundred and twenty civil society groups led by the Sierra Leone Police Band from Victoria Park, through Siaka Stevens Street, to the Miatta Conference Centre grounds, Brookfields.
The programme started at 10.00 a.m. with Christian and Muslim prayers and the Sierra Leone National Anthem. The Chairman of the occasion was Mr Alfred L Sesay, Programme Officer and UNV Focal Point. In his opening remarks, Mr Sesay welcome all present and introduced members of the high table including Ambassador Oluyema Adeniji, Special Representative to Sierra Leone of the UN Secretary General, Mr Kingsley O Amaning, UNDP Resident Representative, Dr Kadie Sesay, Minister of Development and Economic Planning, Mrs Konah Koroma, Development Secretary, Mr Wilfred Sam King and Mrs Rosaline Tijani, Chairman and 1 st Vice Chairman of the International Year of Volunteers, National Steering Committee. The Volunteer Groups introduced themselves.
Other highlights of the programme included the reading of the Statement from the UNDP Administrator, Mr Mark Malloch Brown, by Mr Kingsley O Amaning, UNDP Resident Representative; reading of the UN Secretary General’s Message, Mr Kofi Anan, by Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, UN Special Representative to Sierra Leone, statement from the Sierra Leone Government and formal launching of the IYV 2001 by Dr Kadie Sesay, Minister of Development and Economic Planning , Unveiling of the IYV Logo Monument by Dr Kadi Sesay representing the Government of Sierra Leone; Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, the UN System and Mr Wilfred Sam King, Chairman of the IYV National Steering Committee; a song by the UNVs and Volunteer Groups; and the Vote of Thanks by Wilfred Sam King, Chairman of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) National Steering Committee.
Statistical Data of Attendance:
A total of two hundred and fifty three people graced the occasion and they included the following:
No. Description Nos
The National Steering Committee Members of the IYV 2001
Ms Gladys Carrol - UNDP/NGO, Ms Alison Parker - UNDP/Communication, Mr Alfred L Sesay - UNDP/UNV, Ms Lois Gaye-Harding - UNDP/UNV, Ms Mariama A Diarra - UNFPA, Mr Lars Narfeldt - UNAMSIL/UNV, Mr Iylas Mohamed - UNAMSIL/UNV, Mr Wilfred Sam-King - Sam King Enterprises, Dr M A S Jalloh - Sierra Leone Red Cross, Dr I F Jalloh - WHO, Mr A C Lahai - FAO, Ms Nafisatu Jalloh - UNHCR, Ms Rosaline Tijani - NU, College/Miatta Conference Centre, Ms Hannah Fullah - FM 98.1 Radio Democracy, Mr Henry Kassim - CHSV/ 2 Lower Passonage Street, Mr Abdul Y Kargbo - CCSL/Kingharman Road, Mr Kashop Woode - FAWE/Fort Street, Mr Martin A Foday - CAUSE/Pademba Road, Mr Authur E Freeman - CDU/40 Siaka Stevens Street, Mr Gilbert H Cooper - YES Ministry/New England, Mr Abdulai Kargbo - VWASL/ S L Library, Mr Ahmed B S Kargbo - IOGT SL/ECOWAS Street, Mr Abdul Hassan Fackie - IOGT SL/ECOWAS Street, Mr Mohamed M Fofanah - CORD SL/139 Circular Road, Dr L Gordon-Harris - COMAHS/New England, Ms Augusta Taqi - Sierra Leone Red Cross, Mr Mohamed Barrie - AFRICARE/145 Wilkinson Road, Mr Nathaniel Ganda - MIB/New England, Mr Ibrahim L Sesay - MODEP/Youyi Building, Prof Amy E Joof - GRADC/University Secretariat
Executive Members of the National Steering Committee of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001
Mr Sam King - Chairman, Mrs Rosaline Tijani - 1 st Vice Chairman, Mr Kashor Woode - 2 nd Vice Chairman, Dr Muctaru Jalloh - Patron, Mr Abdul Kargbo - Secretary, Mr Henry Kassim - Asst Secretary, Mrs Mariama Diarra - Treasurer, Mr A E Freeman - Public Relations Officer, Ms Nyambe’ Alex-Harleston - Asst Public Relations Officer, Mr Martin Foday - Eastern Region, Mr Gilbert Cooper - Southern Region, Dr I F Jalloh - Northern Region, Ms Lois Gaye-Harding - Western Region