Cyprus[/B] is among the few countries of the European Union, that has designed and implements a comprehensive policy on civil society and volunteerism issues, President Anastasiades said on Monday, addressing an event to mark International Volunteer Day at the Presidential Palace.
After praising the contribution of the volunteer movement to our country, the President stressed that the inculcation of the value of volunteerism among citizens has been catalytic in addressing problems and challenges.
The President said that the Pancyprian Coordinating Council has been joined by more than 420 Organizations, with 2,100 members of Administrative Organizations and tens of thousands of volunteers, developing more than 300 actions and campaigns.
These actions and campaigns include, the President said, supporting vulnerable groups, fighting social exclusion and all forms of discrimination and inequality for the benefit of thousands of our compatriots, supporting our fellow citizens facing health problems, such as, among others, through the Caraesque Foundation, which has achieved the world's first Bone Marrow Donor Registry in terms of population, and providing assistance in response to unforeseen humanitarian crises and disasters, both locally and internationally.
President Anastasiades said indicatively that in 2018 tens of thousands of euros were collected and 48 boxes of humanitarian aid were sent to support fire victims in Attica, in 2020 after the deadly explosion in Beirut more than 300 boxes of humanitarian aid were sent, In 2021, 50,000 euros were collected to support fire victims in the Larnaca and Limassol regions, while 220 tonnes of food aid, civil protection material, medicines and medical equipment worth more than three million euros were sent to Ukraine thanks to the efforts of volunteers.
He also mentioned that the Pancyprian Coordinating Council from 2002 to date has held more than 225 training seminars in which more than 3,380 people have been trained.
The actions also include the development of innovative activities in the field of environment, Community Work aimed at the social rehabilitation and integration of offenders into society, especially young people.
The actions also include the development of innovative activities in the field of environment, Community Work aimed at the social rehabilitation and integration of offenders into society, especially young people. In this context, he said, more than 5,395 wards were supervised across the country.
The President also said that the Council was recognised as a strategic partner of the State in terms of the targeted policy it adopted for volunteering and the voluntary movement, which placed at its heart the upgrading and strengthening of the activity of volunteers.
President Anastasiades also said that the government provides steady financial support to the Pancyprian and Provincial Volunteer Coordinating Councils, with total sponsorship over the last decade amounting to over four million and four hundred thousand euros, and that Public Consultations have been institutionalized, giving citizens a voice and a role.
In addition, he said, the new legislative framework governing the operation and financial transparency of NGOs had been implemented and three relevant policy documents had been approved by the Council of Ministers.
Also, he said, structured contact of the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteerism with Ministries and Government agencies was implemented through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, and the "Volunteer House" was created, the development of a strategy for active citizenship and participatory governance is being completed and the "Citizens' Initiative Law" has been submitted to the Parliament, which enables voluntary organisations to submit proposals to the Government and the Parliament for the adoption, amendment or repeal of legislation on issues of common interest or public interest.
The President also assured that until the end of his term of office and beyond, he will endeavour to be a co-sponsor and supporter of this noble effort of the volunteers.
President Anastasiades and the First Lady were honoured by the President of the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteerism Ilias Demetriou for their contribution to the Movement. Demetriou in his address said that volunteering is an integral part of any healthy society and the International Volunteer Day on December 5 promotes solidarity through volunteering and giving.
He referred to the long history, the philosophy, structure and culture of the Volunteerism Council and its values that help unite the stakeholders of society. He said that all the problems of the society are the basis for the work and contribution of the Council and that volunteers helped the people of our country to survive crises and adverse conditions.
He also said that our volunteers overcome every difficulty and achieve every goal and support many institutions and organizations by extending a helping hand.
Our volunteers overcome every difficulty and achieve every goal and support many institutions and organizations by extending a helping hand. Demetriou noted that the Council will continue its tireless efforts in providing assistance, policy making, collective action and synergies to unite every body for the benefit of society.
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