Towards a Successful European Year of Volunteering 2011 Conference in Brussels

European Year of Volunteering 2011 Alliance members met in last December in order to exchange on current plans in different European countries, ideas for activities and suggestions for action at European level. The conference provided forum to mobilize stakeholders in Europe for the preparation and implementation of a successful European Year as well as space for delegates to network, interact and exchange their views and ideas. If you would like to know more about the European Year subscirbe for our montly newsletter.

Register yourself for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 Alliance meeting on the 17 of December

There are still free places for the "Towards a successful European Year 2011: Ideas - initiatives - next steps" conference which is going to held in Brussels on the 17 of December 2009. If you would like to participate download the conference Programme and the Registration Form before Monday 14 December. All participants are asked to fill in a short survey on by the same date.

Green Paper on Promoting Learning Mobility for Young People

AVSO, in cooperation with its members, has participated in the Public Consultation of the European Commission on the Green Paper on Promoting Learning Mobility for Young People. Have a look at AVSO's response.

The Lisbon Treaty and Voluntary Service

The Lisbon Treaty will likely come into force on the 1st of December 2009. There are some passages which relate to different aspects of voluntary service. These are as follows: Article 214 (Humanitarian Aid), Title XII (Education, Vocational Training, Youth and Sport), Title XIII (Culture). To take a look at these sections, have a look at the Consolidated Lisbon Treaty.

European Union Citizen's Initiative Public Consultation

The European Commission has launched its consultation on the 'one million citizen's initiative'. To make a contribution to this important consultation, or find out more, visit the Citizen's Initiative webpage.

Let's Slogo: Shortlisted Entries Announced

Over 1200 logos and slogan entries were submitted, and 3500 people cast their votes, in the the competition to find a logo and slogan for the European Year of Volunteering 2011.

The 20 short-listed logos and slogans have been submitted to the European Commission, which will choose the winning logo and slogan that will become the official logo and slogan of the European Year of Volunteering 2011. Visit the website below to check out the 20 short-listed logos.

Join the Let's Slogo Facebook Group to keep up-to-date on developments.

Commissioner Ján Figel' congratulates winners of the Ubuntu Award 2009

The Ubuntu International Youth Voluntary Service Award, an award scheme led by AVSO in partnership with 9 other organisations in Africa and Europe, had it's Award Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Commenting on the awards in a European Commission Press Release, Ján Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, said:

"I congratulate the winners of the Ubuntu International Voluntary Service Award 2009. They exemplify all that is positive about volunteering: the individual benefits from the experience, the immersion in another society and culture; the recipients of the help offered by the volunteers benefit from their activities; and society benefits from the greater sense of social responsibility and social cohesion that volunteering engenders in those who participate. It further pleases me to see that the next Awards will take place in 2011, which the European Commission has proposed to be declared the European Year of Volunteering."

European Civil Society Call for a Strong Youth Agenda

AVSO was involved in an initiative to help ensure that the new Youth Agenda (2009 - 2014), to be adopted in November 2009, invests in a vibrant and active youth society, and adopts a truly cross-sectoral strategy accompanied by adequate co-operation and implementation mechanisms. Read the letter, drafted by the European Youth Forum in consulation with other civil society organisations here.

Call for 'Partnership' Proposals

The Directorate General Education and Culture of the European Commission has launched a call for proposals ‘Partnerships’ within the framework of sub-action 4.6 of the Youth in Action programme. The main purpose of the call for proposals is to support partnership projects with regional or local public bodies (i.e. regions, municipalities, etc.) or with organisations active in the youth sector at European level, which intend to develop or reinforce their long-term actions, strategies and programmes in the field of non-formal learning and youth. For more information on the call click here.

Public consultations Promoting the Learning Mobility of Young People

With this Green Paper the Commission raises a wide number of issues linked to the opportunities for young Europeans to go abroad for learning, studying, volunteering or work experiences. All interested parties are welcome to contribute to this debate and put forward their options for the future. To add your voice to the consultation, visit the Directorate-General for Education and Culture. The consultation period closes on the 15/12/2009.

Sign up to the AVSO Newsletter

Keep up-to-date on issues that affect voluntary service in Europe. Sign up for our free newsletter! If you would like to read the previous editions of the AVSO Newsletter visit the New Documents' Page of the AVSO's website and there you will find the AVSO Newsletter Archive.

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