08 June 2005

Madrid, Spain: Representatives from international and European volunteer involving organizations, NGOs and civil society groups are wrapping up the International Volunteering Congress in the Spanish capital today after two days of discussion on ways to further promote and support volunteerism.

Hosted by the Regional Government of Madrid, the congress drew more than 400 participants who shared best practices on volunteerism and generated dialogue on volunteering for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, much attention focused on fostering support for the implementation of the Regional Government of Madrid’s Volunteering Regional Plan.

Set to launch on this year’s International Volunteer Day (IVD), 5 December, the regional plan will lay forward the legal and social frameworks of volunteering for both individual volunteers and volunteer organizations within Madrid.

Throughout Spain, several local and regional governments have established similar volunteer strategies aimed at strengthening the promotion of volunteerism and support to volunteers. Work on the development of the strategy started on IVD 2004, following an intense period of public consultations with various stakeholders in the volunteering community. Nationally, the Spanish Government is developing its second National Plan on volunteerism, covering the period 2006 to 2010.

UNV Executive Coordinator Ad de Raad was one of several distinguished guests speaking at the launch of the congress, which was opened by Esperanza Aguirre Gil de Biedma, president of the Regional Government.

In his speech, Mr. de Raad lauded the Spanish people for their commitment to volunteerism and UNV. ”I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the government and the people of Spain for their support to the UNV programme,” he said. “The Government of Spain… has, over a period of more than 20 years, provided much needed support by contributing financially to our programme, as well as making statements in key international fora. Such support is highly valued, not only by colleagues in UNV itself, but also our partners in the field.”

In the region of Madrid, an estimated 100,000 people volunteer with some 1,000 community-based organizations. At yesterday’s opening session of the congress, Regional Government President Esperanza Aguirre Gil de Biedma stressed the role of volunteerism in Spanish society, referring to it as a tool to spread the reach of public services and further the development of communities. She said the proposed volunteer plan for the region of Madrid demonstrates the government’s commitment to nurturing volunteerism at the local level. She also announced the creation of a Regional Forum of Volunteerism and Participation that will include members from the local governments, universities, the private sector, and other community-based groups. She says the forum will serve as a consultative body on volunteerism in the region.

Within the regional strategy, efforts are being made to develop local structures to provide the public with information on volunteering opportunities and support. Recommendations include the opening of volunteer information points and centres for the promotion of volunteering.