20 May 2002

Midrand, South Africa: Volunteers from Southern African countries gathered for two days, from 16 to 17 May, to consolidate a network of organizations established during the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001. The conference gathered participants from seven Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and to prepare for volunteer discussion at the upcoming African Union Head of State and Government meeting, this July, and the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio +10), this August in Johannesburg.

“We must build, strengthen, reward and recognize voluntarism in all our communities,” said Dr. Zola Skweyiya, the Minister of Social Development in South Africa, at the opening ceremony. Skweyiya reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthen volunteering.

The “Volunteer Vision For Africa” conference resulted in a final declaration calling on all African nations to work together in recognizing the contributions of volunteers. A study by the University of Witwatersrand School of Public Management indicates that volunteers represent 43 per cent of the workforce within the non-profit sector. These volunteers make a per annum contribution of Rand 5.1 billion to national output.

The declaration, in addition, encourages governments to initiate pro-volunteer policies, legislation and programmes that would enhance volunteering through support, resources and recognition. Volunteers also committed themselves to form a Southern African coordination structure that will further develop partnerships and address the fight against poverty, HIV/AIDS, natural disasters among others. The declaration will be presented at the African Union and at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

“This conference brings hope for volunteering not only for South Africa but for the whole African continent. We see that through this conference that the non-governmental sector has to work hard to create a favourable environment for volunteers,” said Akua Dua-Agyeman, the United Nations Volunteers Programme Officer for South Africa.

The conference was organized by several organizations, including Volunteer South Africa, the country's national IYV committee. Conference delegates came from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and all over South Africa, the hosting country.

President Thabo Mbeki declared 2002 the Year of the Volunteer for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa. Each month has been dedicated to themes such as education, health and youth. In addition, government officials volunteer each month in local communities around the country.