Seanad debates

Wednesday, 26 November 2003

Overseas Development Aid: Motion.

 

In early December, I will announce a major initiative on volunteers. During the Special Olympics we saw the tremendous support that exists for voluntarism in Ireland. I believe this can be replicated internationally. We know what is happening in many parts of Ireland, with even young students going abroad to help out in the developing world. Universities are involved and I want to expand the volunteer agenda. We have a tradition of trained people going abroad for periods, and in many cases they have gone for a year or two. We should give people the opportunity to go abroad for a number of months. There are many fantastic young graduates who are keen to go abroad to try to play their part. We have been in touch with the relevant organisations for some months and an interesting initiative will be announced shortly. I am keen to build up a new generation of development practitioners, so to speak. This is quite exciting and I hope we will have Members' support.

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