The term volunteer is contested — there is no one agreed-to definition, and the term is frequently debated. Some say a volunteer is someone who performs or offers to perform service out of his or her own free will, without payment, usually in support of a non-profit organization, mission-based initiative or community. Others say the term volunteer can apply to someone who receives a stipend for his or her service, as long as the volunteer is engaged in full-time service and has no other paid job. The term is usually used for such service to non-profit organizations, civil society organizations or even initiatives that originate in the public sector (schools, city offices, etc.), but not for those who work for free for a for-profit business.

Some people volunteer formally, through a non-profit organization/charity. Other people volunteer informally, helping a sick neighbor, for instance. Some volunteer for clinical trials or other medical research, and may even donate their bodies to science after their death.

The year 2001 was the International Year of the Volunteer, as designated by the United Nations. Every 5 December is International Volunteer Day, also designated by the United Nations. 2005 was the United Kingdom Year of the Volunteer.

More on [ Volunteer ]

BBC News | Europe | World Edition

Ukraine 'must live without fear'
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:37:43 -0000
The US vice-president reassures Ukraine that the US has a "deep and abiding interest" in the country's security.
Polish agents tell of CIA jails
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:45:30 -0000
Polish intelligence sources confirm for the first time that the CIA ran a secret facility on Polish soil.
Spain seizes Colombia 'drug lord'
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:38:26 -0000
An alleged Colombian drugs lord, known as Beto the Gypsy, is arrested in Spain

NYT > Europe

Conflict Tests Ties Between the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:52:05 -0000
The two churches expressed dismay after the supposedly unthinkable prospect of two Orthodox nations at war with each other failed to deter armed conflict in August.
Without Primaries or Caucuses, Campaign for German Chancellor Begins
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:56:44 -0000
The battle lines in next year’s parliamentary elections in Germany are being drawn the old-fashioned way, through back-room wheeling and dealing.
Now Europeans Are Slower to Spend, and It Shows
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:23:19 -0000
For the first time in more than a decade, consumers in much of Europe are buying less than they did a year earlier, helping to slow economies that may have fallen into recession.

L.A. Times - Europe

Czech official warns of crises involving Russia
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
'A new conflict can be created in Crimea . . . because of [Russia's] political and demographic and military presence,' Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar says. The Czech Republic and Poland have infuriated Russia by agreeing to allow the United States to install a missile defense system in their countries, which are former Soviet satellites that now belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
World Briefing
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Ukraine: Cheney urges closer ties with West / Canada: Parliament to be dissolved / Angola: Voters go to polls Cheney pushes ties with West
Lourdes celebrates 150th anniversary of Bernadette's visions
Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Pilgrims and secular visitors alike feel their spirits moved by the shrine's and town's beauty and spiritual history. Lourdes, France

UN News Centre - Europe

UN organizes campaign to help Georgia's children return to school
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is organizing a campaign to ensure that all children in Georgia can start the new school year this month, following the recent conflict in the Caucasus country.
Security Council lauds launch of negotiations in reunifying Cyprus
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The Security Council today warmly welcomed the launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, aimed at the reunification of the island.
UN welcomes ‘historic' launch of negotiations to reunify Cyprus
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today's launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities that are aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus.

Europe - International Herald Tribune

EU split over Ukraine's path to membership
By STEPHEN CASTLE Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000
Poles, Czechs, British, Swedes and Baltic states are pressing for language stating that Ukraine will join the Union.
Cheney pledges U.S. support for Ukraine
By Steven Lee Myers and Alan Cowell Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:05:04 -0000
As tensions with Moscow continue, Vice President Dick Cheney asserted that the U.S. would act as a guarantor for the country that was part of the former Soviet Union.
Cheney backs membership in NATO for Georgia
By Steven Lee Myers Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:14:02 -0000
Vice President Dick Cheney was in Georgia, where his words of support placed him on a direct collision course with Russia's leaders.
U.S. to withdraw proposed nuclear pact with Russia
By SUSAN CORNWELL Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000
The Bush administration will withdraw a civilian nuclear pact with Russia soon as a penalty for its invasion of Georgia last month, a State Department official said Friday.
War splits Orthodox churches in Russia and Georgia
By SOPHIA KISHKOVSKY Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000
August war was first between two Orthodox nations since Second Balkan War of 1913.
U.S. defends Georgia's right to join NATO
By STEVEN LEE MYERS Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000
Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a forceful American pledge to rebuild Georgia and its economy, to preserve its sovereignty and its territory and to bring it into the NATO alliance.

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