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CEV News The Electronic Newsletter of the

European Volunteer Centre (CEV) February 2012 Issue 107

In this edition: Action points in red

CEV Activities: Call for applications for a new director for the CEV Brussels based secretariat

Registration for the CEV Symposium “Volunteering for stronger societies through innovation and cross-sector collaboration” will soon be open

CEV Online Community topic of the month: Volunteering in sports

Round Table in the European Parliament on Measuring the Value of Volunteering

CEV represented at the Opening Conference of the European Year 2012

CEV and the EYV

2011 Alliance:

The EYV 2011 Alliance Yearbook will go live!

CEV Members:

New CEV Members: CEV network will soon reach 100 member organisations

Flemish Centre for Voluntary Work: launches the Week of the Volunteer Flanders 2012

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire: launches Voluntary Sector Reference Group

EU News:

Sportvision 2012: Conference organised by the Danish Presidency

addressing challenges in Sport for All

Communication from the European Commission: A simplification agenda for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)

Proposal for a Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (FE)

Forum on active ageing hosted by the Committee of the Regions of the European Union

The Special Eurobarometer on Active Ageing is now available online

Calls for Proposals:

Training Courses for Newcomers to Youth in Action Programme

Training Course in Integrating European Citizenship into Youth Work

Call for activity proposals for the 2012 edition of the CIVICUS World Assembly

Other News: Solidar will present the Silver Rose Awards 2012

Photo Competition for the European Year 2012

The European Anti-Poverty Network releases book on participation

EuroHealthNet publication: „Healthy and Active Ageing‟

UN Volunteers and CIVICUS release publication: „Broadening Civic Space through Voluntary Action‟

Events:

Mental Health Europe Conference 2012: From individual to collective responsibility- the social determinants of mental health

Celebrating diversity: The 8th World Congress on Active Ageing

2nd European Conference for Social Work Research

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CEV Activities: Call for applications for a new director for the CEV Brussels based secretariat The call for application for a new CEV Director is open until 14

th February 2012. The new director

will be in charge of the strategic management of the CEV Secretariat and its team. In addition, the director will provide operational leadership for the development of the organisation, for the provision of services to the member organisations, and for the interaction with CEV‟s external partners and institutional advocacy targets. In order to find out more details and to apply, please read the vacancy notice.

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Registration for the CEV Symposium “Volunteering for stronger societies through innovation and cross-sector collaboration” will soon be open

The 23

rd CEV Symposium “Volunteering for

stronger societies through innovation and cross-sector collaboration” will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark on 9

th -10

th May 2012.

The CEV General Assembly and Symposia offer unique opportunities to build partnerships and to get informed about the latest developments in the field of volunteering. The objectives of the CEV spring Symposium 2012 are the following: (1) to provide a highly participatory and interactive space for debates, partnership building and expertise exchange; (2) to identify and explore the best use of tools enhancing cross-sector cooperation; (3) to develop action points for innovation and quality engagement in the voluntary field and society as a whole. The registration process will soon be open and more details as well as the provisional programme can be found on the CEV website.

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CEV Online Community topic of the month: Volunteering in sports! The topic of the month for February 2012 is volunteering in sports! The CEV Online Community is a tool of resources, projects and it also acts as a forum for experts and professionals in the voluntary sector. We would like to invite you to raise questions, share information, projects or download resources that are useful for you by accessing the CEV Online Community.

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Round Table in the European Parliament on Measuring the Value of Volunteering

CEV together with its partners in the European Volunteer Measurement Project organized a Round Table event in the European Parliament on the topic of measuring the value of volunteering. The event hosted by Ms Patrizia Toia (MEP) received strong support from the Members of the European Parliament through the presence of Ms Marian Harkin (MEP), Ms Jean Lambert (MEP), Ms Silvia Costa (MEP), Ms Zuzana Brzobohatá (MEP), Mr Marco Scurria (MEP) and Mr Vittorio Prodi (MEP). Representatives from the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as representatives from civil society and researchers intervened in the discussions to reflect on the need for comparable data in the voluntary sector.

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CEV represented at the Opening Conference of the European Year 2012

On 18th-19

th January 2012 the opening conference of the European Year of Active Ageing and

Solidarity between Generations was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference entitled “Stay active – what does it take?” gathered almost 300 participants and raised the issue of demographic changes in Europe and attitudes towards the elderly. Active ageing is not limited to involvement in the labour market, but it is about participation in general. Therefore volunteering plays a key role in enhancing an age-friendly society. Not only does volunteering offer a framework, and an arena for being a part of society, but it also acts as a partner through organisations that carry out programmes for voluntary action. CEV was represented at the meeting by The National

Knowledge & Development Centre of Volunteering in Denmark, CEV member organisation.

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CEV and the EYV 2011 Alliance

The EYV 2011 Alliance Yearbook will go live! The European Year of Volunteering 2011 Alliance Yearbook is a month by month record of the Year compiling diverse EYV 2011 Alliance Projects. CEV has contributed to the Yearbook with information about events connected to the European Year of Volunteering 2011 implemented by the CEV secretariat or CEV member organisations. The Yearbook will go live this month and you can browse it on the EYV2011 Alliance website.

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CEV Members New CEV Members: CEV network will soon reach 100 member organisations Following the CEV Board of Directors meeting, which took place in Brussels on 1

st -2

nd February

2012, we are delighted to announce that six organisations are now part of CEV: RockCorps (France), Federacion de Asociaciones de Voluntarios de La Caixa (Spain), Centrul de Voluntariat Resita, (Romania), Centre of volunteerism development from Perm (Russia), volunteers.be - Community Help (Belgium), Service The Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations in Slovakia (Slovakia). Currently the European Volunteer Centre represents 98 volunteer centres and volunteer support agencies at national, regional and local level.

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Flemish Centre for Voluntary Work: launches the Week of the Volunteer Flanders 2012

The Flemish Centre for Voluntary Work launches the Week of the Volunteer 2012 in Flanders on 2

nd March 2012. The events are scheduled on 3

rd-11

th March 2012. The

final report following the European Year of Volunteering Flanders 2011 will also be presented. The report compiles the overview of events connected to the EYV 2011 in Flanders as well as recommendations for future action to promote volunteering.

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Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire: launches Voluntary Sector Reference Group

Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (on behalf of the local Voluntary Sector Partnership Group) has launched a new Voluntary Sector Reference Group (VSPG) to keep local voluntary sector organisations informed of the latest progress in relation to the Scottish Government‟s Reshaping of Care for Older People agenda and the local Change Plan. This is an important group allowing the VSPG to feed key and strategic information to voluntary sector organisations working in the field of care or with older people in North

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European Union News

Sportvision 2012: Conference organised by the Danish Presidency addressing challenges in Sport for All The Danish Presidency of the European Union is hosting the Sportsvision 2012 conference on 19

th-

20th March 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants will also be able to choose the

volunteering track, one of the three main sessions. The session addresses challenges in volunteering and sport connected to education, recognition, legal framework, recruitment of volunteers and funding opportunities. Ms Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Youth and Sport will deliver a keynote address.

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Communication from the European Commission: A simplification agenda for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) On 8

th February 2012 the European Commission released a communication which gathers all the

changes proposed relating to the simplification of the rules governing European Union funding for Small and Medium Enterprises, towns and regions, research, social sector and other stakeholders.. The document, A Simplification Agenda for the MFF 2014-2020, aims to further facilitate the European Commission‟s objective to make access to EU funds easier, by rationalising programmes and simplifying implementation mechanisms and procedures.

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Proposal for a Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (FE) The European Commission made a proposal for a Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation on 8

th February 2012. The proposal looks to create a new European legal

entity - the „European Foundation‟ (FE). These are designed to make cross border/ overseas working easier for domestic foundations. Existing foundations will not be obliged to acquire the status of a FE.

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Forum on active ageing hosted by the Committee of the Regions of the European Union On 14

th February 2012, the Committee of the Regions of the European Union (CoR) is holding a

forum of discussion on topics referring to the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012. The focus of the debates will reflect the involvement of local and

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regional stakeholders in improving the conditions for active ageing from the following perspectives: participation in society, independent living and employment. The aim of the forum is to foster initiatives for strengthening solidarity between generations and to enhance participation by older people.

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The Special Eurobarometer on Active Ageing is now available online The Special Eurobarometer 378 on Active Ageing addresses the European citizen‟s perceptions and views towards the elderly and their contribution to society. The report tackles senior citizens‟ involvement in voluntary work as well as their participation, on a voluntary basis, in activities aiming to support older people. The survey notably states that “the time spent volunteering increases with age” as findings show that Europeans aged 55 years and elderly dedicate more time per month to voluntary work.

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Calls for Proposals

Training Courses for Newcomers to Youth in Action Programme Deadline: 25

th March 2012

SALTO- Youth calls for applications to the training course for those who are new to youth exchanges. The training is organised in partnership with the French National Agency for Youth in Action Programme and tackles the need for more information on how to set up quality youth exchange projects. The activities will take place on 6

th-10

th June 2012 in France and applications

are expected by 25th March 2012. Further information and training opportunities can be found on

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Training Course in Integrating European Citizenship into Youth Work Deadline: 1

st April 2012

Youth workers and leaders interested in developing their competencies in integrating European citizenship into their youth work practice are invited to apply for this training course which will be held in Croatia on 11

th -17

th June 2012. Applications to take part should be submitted by 1

st April

2012. It aims to allow practitioners the time to improve their understanding of active citizenship, and explore its potential. Please find further details and other courses on the SALTO website.

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Call for activity proposals for the 2012 edition of the CIVICUS World Assembly Deadline: 9

th March 2012

The World Alliance for Citizens Participation(CIVICUS) calls for activity proposals to be carried out during their 2012 World Assembly, in Montréal, Canada, on 3

rd-4

th September 2012. The topic of

„Demanding a New Social Contract: Forging a Sustainable Future Together‟ will be tackled through three thematic tracks: Changing Nations through Citizens, Building Partnerships for Social Innovation and Redefining Global Governance. In order to submit your application by the deadline of 9

th March and find out more information, please refer to the relevant website.

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Other News

Solidar will present the Silver Rose Awards 2012 SOLIDAR are holding their Silver Rose Awards ceremony on 6

th March 2012 in Brussels, Belgium.

This event celebrates the efforts of both individuals and organisations that have made outstanding efforts towards building solidarity and social justice. The ceremony will take place in the European Parliament. This year‟s categories are: European social justice and international solidarity, and the jury selecting the winners will be formed of Members of the European Parliament.

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Photo Competition for the European Year 2012 Europe Direct Firenze and Servizio Sport of the Florence City Council are holding a photograph competition in honour of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012. This fifth edition of the Imago Europae Photo contest is called „Formula Anti-Ageing‟. It aims to promote opportunities for active ageing. The closing date for entries is 16

th February 2012.

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The European Anti-Poverty Network releases book on participation The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) has published a new book, „Breaking Barriers – Driving Change: case studies of building participation of people experiencing poverty.‟ The book outlines 15 examples of particular approaches taken by EAPN members to enhance the direct participation in organisational structures and policy-making of people experiencing poverty or social exclusion. Many of these initiatives were implemented with the help of volunteers.

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EuroHealthNet publication: „Healthy and Active Ageing‟ EuroHealthNet and The Federal Centre for Health Education (BzgA) have jointly produced a publication entitled „Healthy and Active Ageing.‟ It is comprised of a number of programmes and initiatives for developing and maintaining the wellbeing of „young‟ older people (aged 55-60+). There is particular reference to socially deprived and migrant groups. The publication also highlights the integral role of volunteering in health and well-being.

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UN Volunteers and CIVICUS release publication: „Broadening Civic Space through Voluntary Action‟ United Nations Volunteers and World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) have released a publication „Broadening Civic Space Through Voluntary Action: Lessons from 2011.‟ The paper examines trends in recent voluntary action, with volunteering seen as an invaluable contributor to participation and social activism. It also provides recommendations to policy makers and professionals working with volunteers, with particular reference to the concepts of both formal and non-formal volunteering.

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Events

Mental Health Europe Conference 2012: From individual to collective responsibility- the social determinants of mental health On 14

th-16

th June 2012, Mental Health Europe (MHE) will organise the conference ‘From individual

to collective responsibility: The social determinants of mental health‟, in Split, Croatia. The event will bring together professionals from across Europe to focus on the role of social factors in determining inequalities. The role of schools, working environments, the community and social networks in addressing mental health issues will be addressed by experts from the European Commission, the United Nations, as well as grassroots organisations.

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Celebrating diversity: The 8th World Congress on Active Ageing Deadline for registrations: 16

th April 2012.

On 13

th-17

th August 2012 a 5 day world congress will gather professionals, experts and enthusiasts

from a range of fields involved in Active Ageing, in Glasgow, Scotland. The Congress organised every 4 years by The British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health (BHFNC) will particularly focus on the oldest and frailest population, and look at the most recent multidisciplinary research related to the prevention and management of those conditions associated with old age. Registration is open, with an early registration deadline of 16 April 2012.

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2nd European Conference for Social Work Research Social work research in local, national and international contexts: the challenges of comparison and generalisation,‟ is a conference organised by The University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwestern Switzerland on 22

nd- 24

th March 2012 in Basel, Switzerland. It aims to offer social

work researchers the opportunity to address issues and opportunities in the context of an environment where local, regional, national and international boundaries are blurred, and communication and information sharing is easier.

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Find the CEV News in PDF on the CEV website.

Pour lire la CEV News en français, rendez-vous sur le site de France Bénévolat.

If you want to share information about topics and projects related to volunteering, please send a short description before the 1

st of each month to communication[at]cev.be.

CEV Secretariat

Rue de la Science 10, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: (32 2) 511 75 01 Fax: (32 2) 514 59 89 Email: cev@cev.be Website: www.cev.be

CEV receives support from the European Commission – sole

responsibility lies with CEV – The European Commission cannot be

held responsible for any information contained herein.