The year 2026 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Recently, China’s National Organizing Committee for the 2026 International Volunteer Year released the annual theme “One Heart in Volunteering, One World in Step”, and launched the national brand “China International Volunteer Initiative” (CIVI).

According to the Committee, it will coordinate with relevant localities and departments to organize diverse exchange activities around the annual theme. Focusing on education, science and technology, culture and health, the Committee will design and implement international volunteer service projects. It will also strengthen research on policies and standards, team training, and experience promotion, striving to forge coordinated, standardized and professional international cooperation in volunteer services at home and abroad. The China-hosted main event of the 2026 International Year of Volunteers will be held in Shanghai from late November to early December.