Speakers at a day-long workshop in the city Tuesday underscored the need for formulating a national policy integrating all ministries with Youth and Sports as lead ministry for the recognition of volunteers working in different fields in the country, reports BSS.

A large number of volunteers have long been contributing to the national economy but they were not recognised, they said, adding if a national policy was formulated, the volunteers would be able to bring about a positive change in all spheres of social life.

The workshop on "Recognising Volunteerism as a Tool to Increase Local Participation to Achieve the MDGs," was organised by United Nations Volunteers (UNV), UNIC and VSO at IDB Bhaban in the city.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Ahad Ali Sarkar addressed the workshop as the chief guest with Secretary of the Ministry Ehsan Ul Fattah in the chair.

UNDP Country Director Stefan Priesner, regional head of Bangkok-based UN Millennium Campaign Minar Pimple, Director General of Department of Youth Development (DYD) Fakrul Islam spoke as special guests while editor of the Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman spoke as guest of honour.