10 June 2008

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Policy makers and senior officials this week praised a UNV programme designed to foster regional integration, social cohesion and poverty reduction in the Balkans.

Representatives of the European Commission (EC) told a conference in Sarajevo that the RIVERSEE programme, organized by UNV and UNDP, had created new avenues for volunteerism and youth engagement by strengthening civic networks, promoting volunteerism and proactive citizenship, building the capacity of civil society to support local and regional development; and establishing regional cooperation.

The speakers said that the results of RIVERSEE ('Regional Integration through Volunteer Exchanges for Reconciliation in South Eastern Europe') had sparked interest in future collaborations between the EC, NGOs and UNV. The speakers were attending the conference 'Innovations towards sustainable volunteer service' held from 9-10 June 2008, funded by the EC and UNV.

Organized by the South East European Youth Network (SEEYN), the event sought to distil lessons on the sustainability, effectiveness and efficiency of youth volunteer programmes in South Eastern Europe, and to enhance relationships among practitioners, policy makers, researchers, civil society organisations and businesses. Held in partnership with UNV and the EC 'Youth in Action' programme, the conference was the final phase of the RIVERSEE programme which began in 2004.

At the conference opening, Osman Topčagić, head of the Directorate for European Integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said volunteering was a powerful mechanism to build social capital. His Excellency Niels-Jorgen Nehring, Ambassador to the Royal Danish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized the important role young people play in the development of their countries. He said it was important that respective governments build upon these efforts "to establish enabling environments to support volunteerism".

The positive assessment of the RIVERSEE programme was further emphasized by Armin Sirčo, Assistant Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The placement of 68 youths resulting in 351 volunteer work months was a significant result, he said, but remarked that "we are not yet there yet".

Giving examples from other countries, Mr. Sirčo pointed out the importance of a law on volunteerism for Bosnia and Herzegovina. There was also a valuable role also for the private sector in supporting youth and combating social inclusion, he concluded. At the policy level, RIVERSEE has already contributed to the adoption process of volunteerism laws in Croatia and Macedonia.

UNV and the EC Directorate General for Education and Culture (Youth in Action Programme) signed a multi-year strategic partnership agreement in 2007. The overall objective is to jointly promote and advocate for volunteerism, including youth voluntary activities and volunteerism for development, and to strengthen the relationship between UNV-EC relationship.

RIVERSEE was a pilot programme implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. It created new avenues for volunteerism and youth engagement by strengthening civic networks via East-to-East volunteer exchanges; promoting volunteerism and proactive citizenship; building the capacity of civil society to support local and regional development; and establishing regional cooperation.