On the eve of International Volunteer Day, the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (OVCO) launched VO Plus, a reform process for the voluntary sector as well as within the OVCO itself.
During the launch, held at Sant’Anton Palace, speeches revolved around the idea of drafting new legislation for the voluntary sector in order to safeguard and strengthen all voluntary organisations and this sector in general, as well as reforms regulating the work of the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, which is responsible for drafting and implementing an inclusive policy for the voluntary sector that serves every economic and social aspect of our country.
The President of Malta stressed the importance of this sector and of its benefit for the lives of many people around the world, including in our country. In this regard, he said that “these reforms should help this sector to grow, with a modern legal framework that reflects both current and future working practices”. While wishing the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations good luck with its work in the newly launched reform process, the President also expressed the wish that our country continues to work towards the goals set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also speaking at the consultation were, among others, Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, Jesmond Saliba; President of the Council for the Voluntary Sector Noel Camilleri; Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Julia Farrugia Portelli; Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima; Opposition Deputy Whip and Spokesperson for European Funds and Voluntary Organisations Kevin Cutajar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Matthew Vella; and Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta Andrew Azzopardi.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister