It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation of my dear friend Stavros, President of the Limassol District Volunteer Coordinating Council, and the rest of the members of the Steering Committee, to be with you and to greet today's event organized to celebrate International Volunteer Day.
When in 1985, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 5 December as International Volunteer Day, it wanted to remind us all of the multi-dimensional and commendable role of volunteers in every modern society. They are organised groups whose mission is to create social links and to promote the needs of the vulnerable and less favoured groups in society.
For this reason, I would like to express my congratulations to the President, members and staff of the Limassol District Volunteer Coordinating Council for organizing today's event, but also to each and every member organization of the Limassol Volunteer Coordinating Council, who, driven by love for people and concern for their well-being, offer their services generously and respectfully to those in real need.
Dear Friends,
The new and ever-changing social needs require flexibility and close cooperation between all actors in the field of social care. We believe that it is necessary for voluntary organisations to cooperate with all local bodies and the State in order to ensure better quality services for citizens.
Our efforts are also in this direction. In particular, recognizing the contribution of organized civil society, the Ministry of Social Welfare, through the State Aid Schemes administered by the Social Welfare Services, supports the efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations for the development and provision of social care programmes.
Indicatively, in 2021, a total of 281 programmes received financial support to cover part of their operating costs and other needs, with a total amount of more than €12.7 million. For this year, the final total amount awarded is expected to exceed €14.5 million, and we are pleased to note that most of the programmes have continued to operate from previous years, but especially the interest in developing new programmes in order to meet emerging needs of Cypriot society. Hence, for 2023, an allocation of €18 million was included in the Deputy Ministry's Budget for the grant of social care programmes by Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations and other bodies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thanking you again for your valuable and substantial action for the benefit of Cypriot society and socially vulnerable citizens, I would like to assure you once again that the Ministry of Social Welfare will continue to provide all possible support to voluntary organisations, so that together we can contribute to the social development and progress of our country.
In conclusion, I must particularly congratulate the volunteers Androulla Savvidou, Asousena Sofokleous, Vassos Koumbaros, Ritsas Filippou, Socrates Pavlou and Chrystalla Kythraiotis, whom we honour today for their action. Many congratulations are also due to the Student Clubs of Social Offerings of the Limassol Secondary Education Schools and to all the students who participate in the voluntary movement from a young age. Dear Angel, today you represent the future of our country and, seeing your interest in volunteering, I dare to say that the future is bright.
I am sure that our cooperation will continue in the same framework of mutual support in order to improve the daily life of our fellow citizens. I wish you good luck in your work and happy holidays.
(MKY)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
