By Emily Untermeyer
President of AMIGOS

(Houston: December 5, 2007) — Today marks an international day of celebration that is often overlooked during this busy holiday season.

International Volunteer Day, celebrated December 5th in most countries worldwide, has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 1985. It allows us a chance to celebrate volunteerism around the world and to recognize the dedication of people who seek to change the world for the better.

Houston frequently is praised for its meaningful business contributions as a global city, but we should also recognize and be proud of the international volunteer efforts so many Houstonians contribute. Houston’s diversity, geographic location, and business ties across the world make it an international city with strong connections to other countries and cultures.  This important day gives us the opportunity to recognize the contributions of the many respectable international volunteer efforts by Houston-area non-profit organizations, medical groups, churches and individuals.

International Volunteer Day is especially dear to me as the President of one of Houston’s oldest international volunteer organizations, Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS). Through my work, I have seen thousands of young people gain global awareness and leadership skills while working to improve health, environmental and educational programs in Latin America.  

While a high school student in Houston, I had the privilege of serving in Guatemala as an AMIGOS Volunteer, when “Houston” was the first word spoken on the moon.  In that special historic moment of 1969, I realized how people of dramatically different cultures and backgrounds share similar human values and aspirations.  Every day, in countries across the world, international volunteers live what Neil Armstrong’s words so beautifully represent – they take one small step as individuals, yet giant steps for mankind and international understanding.

During the past several years, a national movement has begun to acknowledge the importance of international volunteerism as a way to promote global understanding and peace among nations.  By volunteering internationally, Americans gain new perspectives about our own and other cultures through bonds of friendship and service.  Perhaps even more importantly, people in other countries develop new perspectives about the United States through the personal relationships they build with American goodwill ambassadors.

The U.S. Congress currently is considering House Bill 3598, the Global Service Fellowship Program Act. The legislation would help fund stipends for the support of overseas volunteers. That Congress is even considering such legislation demonstrates our nation’s increasingly positive attitude with respect to volunteering abroad, which is something to celebrate in itself.

The month of December is the perfect time to pause and be sincerely thankful for the dedicated efforts of international volunteers. Their contributions to cultural understanding, peace and goodwill make it a smaller and safer world for all.  Celebrate this special day by expressing thanks to the international volunteers in your life.

Ms. Untermeyer has served as the President of AMIGOS since 1998. Founded in Houston in 1965, AMIGOS is a non-profit organization that promotes youth leadership and civic engagement of high school and college age students through community service programs in Latin America. A native Houstonian, Ms Untermeyer served as an AMIGOS Volunteer in Guatemala in 1969 and in Colombia in 1970. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and held numerous leadership positions in health and human services with the State of Texas.