Minister of State Lenihan Launches Guide for Overseas Volunteers
Mr Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, today launched a guide for those seeking to volunteer with agencies working in development cooperation.
The Guide, “Working For A Better World”, is published by Comhlámh, the association of returned development workers. It will be available in bookshops and online at www.volunteeringoptions.org. Publication of the book and website were funded by Development Cooperation Ireland (the Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs responsible for managing Ireland's aid programme).
Launching the guide, Minister Lenihan said,
“In recent months I have held a series of public meetings around Ireland to hear people's views about the aid programme. In all of our meetings, one issue keeps coming back: “How can I volunteer? Where can I go to get information?”
“New, simple solutions are needed! Comhlámh's project, which comes to fruition today, is a very important part of the solution.
“Working For A Better World is the first comprehensive guide to overseas volunteering opportunities for Irish people. It provides invaluable information for anyone who is considering a voluntary work placement in a developing country. The guide offers a directory of over 110 organisations which offer volunteer placements.
“This guide is part of our wider efforts to assist those wishing to volunteer.
“Together with Comhlámh, VSO Ireland and Volunteering Ireland, we are also working towards a one-stop-shop for volunteers. This one-stop-shop will provide a single contact point for all of those in Ireland who wish to volunteer for overseas development work. We hope that the one-stop-shop will open its doors before the end of next year.
“We are committed to harnessing the strong volunteer spirit which exists all across the country.”
DCI already provides considerable funding for volunteers: in 2004 DCI funded more than 1,200 volunteers (lay and missionary) working in 84 countries around the world (44% in Africa).
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Press Office
4th October 2005
