International Volunteer Day

Press Release: Launching today
5-12-2006

Minister Conor Lenihan launches Comhlámh’s Volunteer Charter on December 5th, International Volunteer Day

Venue:  Iveagh House, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
TODAY AT: 15.00 – 17.00

To mark today, International Volunteer Day 2006, Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights at the Department of Foreign Affairs, will host the official launch of Comhlámh’s Volunteer Charter for international volunteers. 

The Charter has been developed as part of Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options programme, which is responding to the growing interest amongst the Irish public in volunteering in developing countries. It sets out seven principles to which volunteers are encouraged to sign up, covering issues that include respecting local customs and adopting the role of learners and guests while in a placement. In doing so, volunteers are encouraged to think about their experiences within the wider context of global development.

The Charter, which aims to encourage responsible, responsive volunteering in developing countries, will be launched at a seminar that will feature guest speakers from projects in Madagascar and Swaziland that host volunteers.

This new publication will be the first document of its kind for overseas volunteers.  It complements the other resources developed by the Volunteering Options programme, which include a website www.volunteeringoptions.org and book, Working for a Better World: A Guide to Volunteering in Global Development. 

To attend today’s launch or to receive a copy of the Charter, please contact Paul O’Mahony: paul@comhlamh.org or call 087 965 3877 or at 01-478 3490