International Volunteer Day 2020 |07 December 2020

Ceps salutes volunteers’ efforts in national development

“International Volunteer Day is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. This year the theme is ‘Together We Can Through Volunteering’.

“The day is an opportunity for us all to valorise and promote volunteerism across the world and in Seychelles.

“Since the creation of our predecessor organisation Lungos, we have worked tirelessly to encourage and support volunteerism through a variety of projects, programmes, activities and events organised by the NGO sector.

“Nevertheless, encouragement should not only be within the sector but by key stakeholders and partners. The Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) salute the effort of government over the years for the fruitful partnership and encouragement received through grants and opportunities provided.

“Three years ago Ceps pushed for the introduction of the National Grants whereby Ceps members and all civil society organisations in Seychelles benefitted from this wonderful initiative. We take this opportunity to thank the government of Seychelles past and present for continuous support towards volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels. Ceps also welcomes new partnership with the private sector to help alleviate the emerging social and economic ills in our society.

“Through different media outlets including the social media, Ceps is doing its best to coordinate a campaign to promote the work of civil society, showcasing the impact volunteers have in communities, nationally and globally, for peace, environment protection and national development.

“Since the apparition of Covid-19 in Seychelles, Ceps was among the first to react and come up with a response framework whereby volunteers were mobilised, trained and engaged in different communities providing humanitarian aid. Yes, we have put our volunteers at risk but we did it with our heart and love for what we believe in.

“Let’s make IVD this year a worldwide moment to thank volunteers and celebrate their efforts despite all the challenges at hand.

“Over the last months, as the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged across the world, volunteers have been at the forefront of medical, community and societal responses. This shows the importance and the valuable and great effort the volunteers are doing during Covid-19.

“On behalf of Ceps I take this opportunity to thank all volunteers in Seychelles and also shed light on the difficulties and needs of volunteers during the pandemic. “Ceps urges all volunteers in these difficult times to come together and help combat social and economic ills in our society.

“Happy International Volunteer Day 2020.”

Jude Fred

Chairman of Ceps