From June 20 – 25, 2011, some 80 CSO and government participants from countries in South East Europe gathered in Sarajevo to attend the ‘SEE Youth for European Year of Volunteering 2011’ conference hosted by the South East Europe Youth Network (SEEYN).

The main focus of the conference was to provide a forum for key stakeholders to critically explore issues and share best practices on how to develop and promote the development of volunteering and volunteer policy in South East Europe. As importantly, the conference served as an opportunity to mark the European Year of Volunteering (EYV) and 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers while reflecting on how to collectively advocate and work together to achieve effective volunteer policy and infrastructure throughout the region.

Director of the Center for promotion of civil society, Aida Daugda stated that approximately 5% of youth in BiH is involved in volunteering projects, which is a very small number in comparison with the EU countries, adding that young people are not aware of benefits of a voluntary engagement. She also stated that it is a frequently the case that older people are more involved voluntary-based projects, which is an indicator that something has to be done.

“It is very important for young people to understand that (volunteering) is an excellent opportunity to easier find jobs, and – most importantly – to gain life and professional experience,” Daguda underlined.

Representative of the SEE Youth Network, Jovana Aranđelović emphasized that a big problem in the country is the fact that there is no law on volunteering in Federation of BiH, while such law exists in the RS.

The organizers, along with conference supporters such as the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the OSCE, the Civil Society Promotion Centre (CSPC), TASCO BiH and the UN recognize volunteers and volunteers as a key resource in reducing poverty, rebuilding social solidarity and ensuring sustainable development.

Topics covered through small group seminars, over the five days, included:  1) The concepts and value of volunteering in South East Europe; 2) Human and ‘pro-social’ dimensions of volunteering; 3) Local, national and international volunteering; 4) Volunteer policy in South East Europe; and 5) Corporate social responsibility and corporate volunteering. 

Winning entry showing volunteers extinguishing fire in Livno, by Andrija VrdoljakA highlight of the week’s activities was the formal public opening of the ’Volunteers in Action’ photo exhibition at a local Sarajevo gallery. This photo exhibition was the culmination of a photo completion that saw around 30 photographers from around Europe submit some 100 photographs depicting volunteers engaged in a range of activities.

This exhibition will be travelling around the SEE region between now and December 5th – International Volunteer Day 2011 as part of EYV 2011. 

Source: UNV.ba/Sarajevo-x.com