Minister for Trade and Development praises the work of volunteers and sets out new opportunities for international volunteering
Minister for Trade and Development praises the work of volunteers and sets out new opportunities for international volunteering
Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, T.D., today praised the contribution of volunteers in fostering global peace and development and acknowledged the importance of volunteerism in strengthening ties between communities in Ireland and the developing world.
Minister Costello underlined the importance of enhancing
opportunities for international volunteering:
“I believe that there is scope to enhance opportunities for
volunteering. Retired people, people with disabilities, the
unemployed and members of the diaspora living in Ireland are
amongst the possible sources of untapped potential.”
Speaking ahead of his address this evening to the VSO Federation Council Dinner, Minister Costello pointed out that greater use of information technology could expand the scope of volunteering opportunities and facilitate better matching of skilled volunteers to opportunities:
“New forms of volunteering such as on-line volunteering can be used
to facilitate the inclusion of volunteers who have skills to offer
but are not in a position to travel to developing countries.”
The Minister praised the achievements of Irish volunteers overseas
and urged all development actors to work together to provide a
positive environment for volunteerism. He stated:
“We know that international volunteering from Ireland has made a
significant difference to long term development efforts and
emergency humanitarian action. This is work that we can all
be proud of and it is essential work which must continue.
Working together, the Government, partner countries, NGOs and
multilateral organisations can play a vital role in providing a
nurturing environment where volunteerism can flourish.”
Press Office
28 June 2012
Notes to the
Editor
• Irish
Aid is the Government’s official development assistance
programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation
Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• The Minister for
Trade and Development will address the VSO Federation Council
Dinner this evening.
• In 2012, Irish
Aid will provide over €530,000 to VSO for development programmes
which incorporate volunteering.
