MOS Costello urges retirees to Volunteering Fair
27/9/12Irish Aid will bring 27 volunteering organisations together in Dublin on Saturday to highlight opportunities for volunteering in the developing world.
The fair, which will be held in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre in Dublin, will focus in particular on raising awareness of volunteering among retired public servants.
Visitors to the fair will meet representatives and former volunteers from 27 organisations involved in volunteering who will provide information on the skills needed overseas and the opportunities available. The fair is free of charge and open to the public. A series of workshops will take place throughout the day including a panel discussion entitled “Volunteering in Retirement – What you have to Give and Gain”.
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D. said:
“The Irish Aid Volunteering Fair provides a unique opportunity for those thinking about volunteering to meet a wide range of organisations involved in both long-term and short-term volunteering.
Irish people have a long tradition of volunteering abroad and I am committed to building on this through the Irish Aid programme. Our enduring ties to Africa and the developing world reflect our sense of solidarity with those communities less well-off than ourselves and our national vision of a fair global society.
Since the start of 2011, some 22,000 public servants with vast experience and a great reserve of skills have retired, many taking early retirement. I am hopeful that some of them will consider sharing their skills to make a lasting difference in the developing world. I look forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities of volunteering with prospective volunteers on Saturday.”
Among the organisations taking part are Voluntary Service Overseas, United Nations Volunteers and Goal, who are recruiting for long-term volunteers and Habitat for Humanity, Suas and the Hope Foundation who will provide information and advice about short-term opportunities.
The Volunteering Fair will take place from 11am – 4pm on Saturday, 29th September 2012 at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27 – 31 Upper O’Connell Street. For further information, contact the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre on 01 8546920 or visit www.irishaid.gov.ie
Press Office
27 September 2012