Celebrations of the International Volunteer day
Sarah Mateke, the state minister for Youth and Children’s Affairs, has expressed her appreciation for the invaluable role played by volunteers in society.
She said this at last week’s celebration of the International Volunteer day at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Nakawa.
Themed “If everyone did engage the community,” it brought together various volunteer-based organizations, including the United Nations Volunteers, Japan International Cooperation Agency Uganda (JICA), Uganda Red Cross Society, KOICA, VSO, Restless Development, Building Tomorrow, Peace Corps, Youth After School and Challenges Worldwide.
During the celebrations, Mateke emphasized the significance of volunteerism in humanitarian efforts.
“As the world commemorates International Volunteers Day, we should acknowledge the role played by all volunteers in all humanitarian platforms,” she stated, emphasizing the historical significance of volunteerism, particularly in the West since World War I.
Minister Mateke urged African youth to embrace volunteering to ensure the momentum of the spirit of volunteerism. Furthermore, Mateke encouraged the youth to leverage volunteerism to develop their leadership skills and gain valuable work experience.
She highlighted the government’s commitment to providing internship and volunteer experiences for young people after completing university education. Mateke also spotlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Gender and the UNDP in establishing the Graduate Volunteer Scheme, benefitting over 500 volunteers, and placing them in various positions to enhance their skills.
Source: The Observer
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