Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lisbon (Agenzia Fides) - On 4 and 5 December the First Portuguese Congress for Volunteers will take place in Lisbon at the Ismaili Centre, sponsored by the Portuguese Confederation of Volunteers (CPV), which aims to bring together the public and private spheres, such as individual citizens who, as individuals, freely dedicate themselves to serving others. According to information received by Fides, the Congress's theme is “Volunteers, power to change”, and proposes four main objectives: launching the European Year of the Volunteer 2011, awareness of volunteering and its areas of action in Portugal, the contribution to a greater efficiency by volunteers and their organizations, the adoption of guidelines and recommendations for the future. The CPV proposes to be a driving force in mobilizing the resources of civil society and of the State, giving new vitality to volunteering, and at the same time raising the awareness of all citizens to actively participate in voluntary activities, either individually or through an organized group or association. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2010)
