merrion street

The Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton T.D. today officially opened the National Volunteer Managers Conference in Dublin. Volunteer Ireland, as the National Coordinating Body of The European Year of Volunteering (EYV) 2011, is hosting the conference.

Minister Creighton said: "It is vital to recognise the huge role volunteering plays. While no volunteer thinks of an end reward we can maintain interest and dedication through recognition and encouragement.

The European Union has long acknowledged the importance of volunteering. Volunteers are the agents of our shared European values and objectives, in terms of promoting social cohesion, solidarity and active participation. The experience of community and voluntary organisations shows that there is a need at all levels – EU, national regional and local – to make people aware of the value of volunteers to a strong and healthy society."