International Volunteer Day |05 December 2014

CEPS urges more youth to volunteer

All citizens, especially young people, are being urged to join a volunteer organisation of their interest and subsequently contribute to the development of our country.
 
The appeal comes in a message from Jules Hoareau, the chairperson of CEPS (Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles) and also the chief of volunteers in Seychelles, to mark International Volunteer Day today.

The full text of Mr Hoareau’s message reads:

“International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an international commemoration in support of volunteerism worldwide, dedicated by the United Nations in 1985. It gives prospects and opportunities to NGOs, CBOs and many other volunteers’ organisations to showcase their paramount contributions in development.

“In Seychelles, many volunteers’ organisations are striving hard to bring about positive changes through different activities for specific targeted groups.

 As we observe this day, it is important for every citizen to realise that we all have a vital role to play in the process of development and nation building. As chairperson of CEPS (Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles) and chief of volunteers in Seychelles, I would like to remind all volunteers’ organisations of their fundamental roles of engaging people at grass-root level in the development process and ultimately generate space for active participation of the people/citizens that will lead to: good governance, peace and security, social cohesion and prosperity. Consequently as a nation work towards the attainment of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals).
 
“The core focus of  IVD 2014 is not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets, but also pay special tribute to people’s participation in making a difference locally, nationally and globally as stated by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

“Many volunteers’ organisations in Seychelles are doing an excellent job in different spheres namely: environment awareness, gender, economic empowerment, health and social development, consumerism etc.. However we have many challenges, one being a decline in the level of activism and volunteerism in general.

 Youth involvement in volunteer activities is another challenge.  As we celebrate the IDV, I appeal to all citizens especially young people to join a volunteer organisation of their interest and subsequently contribute to the development of our country.

“With the establishment of the new platform (CEPS), the civil society will continue to work in partnership with the government and all stakeholders to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and their views are considered in the nation building process.

“As we mark this important day, on behalf of the board, I wish to congratulate and thank all volunteers in the country for their valuable contributions.
 
“I wish all members of the civil society ‘happy volunteers day’ and continued success in their noble tasks. Together as citizens let us be ‘united and engaged in building our nation through active dialogue, participation and action’.”