Minister launches ACW in South Dublin.
Speech for the launch of Active Citizenship Week
By Minister Pat Carey T.D.
Monday, 27 September 2010
The Big Picture, Tallaght, Dublin 24
I am very pleased to be here this morning for the launch of Active Citizenship Week which concludes with the national day of volunteering on 1st October 2010.
I would like to thank Tricia Nolan for inviting me to attend this event. I know that the team at the Volunteer Centre work very closely with South Dublin Co. Council and with many other groups in the area to make the National Day of Volunteering a real success each year.
We all know of vibrant, community, cultural and sporting organisations, which are supported by the determined efforts of local volunteers.
This spirit is also to be found in vibrant national organisations, like the GAA, in our political parties, in Tidy Towns Committees, in credit unions, in parish and church organisations and guilds, in professional and scholarly organisations, in local history and environmental groups, in residents’ associations and in youth groups of all kinds.
Without active volunteers, communities cannot flourish. Volunteers are ordinary people, people who have a sense of social concern, shared values, a pride in their place and their country.
They are the people who in many instances work in the background and help to keep organisations, projects and events both home and abroad afloat. Without their selfless contribution of time and energy much of what we take for granted in terms of our society would not happen.
We are fortunate to have so many active citizens at every level in society. They provide care and support services across the community, in large and well-established organisations and in small, informal groupings. They measure their success not by making a profit, but by making a difference. More important, at a time when it can be difficult for us to see beyond current economic difficulties, they provide hope for the future and demonstrate that we are all capable of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
I believe that it is right to recognise the contribution that has been made, and continues to be made by those who, like yourselves, take a step forward, become involved, and serve the community in a direct and active way. I believe that what you, collectively, have achieved shows the importance of creating the conditions in which even more people will come forward to share the load. Together, we can look forward to a continuing and healthy tradition of active engagement by our citizens in all dimensions of Irish life.
One of the recommendations of the Task Force on Active Citizenship was that my Department fund a network of volunteer centres across the country. I am pleased to note that the Department now provides funding to twenty one such centres located across the country, five of which are based in Dublin: South Dublin County, Dublin City South, Dublin City North, Dun Laoire/Rathdown and Fingal. They provide a valuable service in promoting volunteering and co-ordinating voluntary activities such as the ‘National Day of Volunteering’ to highlight local volunteering opportunities. I think the volunteer centres are doing a great job!
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and South Dublin County Council for your successful partnership in organising Active Citizenship Week and wish you every success during this week.