December 9, 2010 -- President James Michel has met with the Chairperson and Members of the Seychelles National Volunteering Committee, and the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sport, Vincent Meriton at State House on Tuesday.

The chairperson of the SNVC, Mrs. Collette Servina presented an Action Plan to President Michel, which outlines the proposals for the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteering in 2011.

The President thanked the SNVC for the proposal and said that the Government would give its support to the plan, as it would encourage more people to become volunteers and promote a culture of volunteering which has existed for a long time in Seychelles history.

"Thank you for your valuable suggestions for a very noble objective. We need to promote volunteering and develop a sense of belonging to the community, so that more people are engaged in community work," said President Michel.

The members of the SNVC spoke about their ideas and objectives to the President, and they discussed ways in which the government can give greater recognition to volunteer work.

"The work of the volunteer is very important; in reaching out to people, helping them and making a difference in the world. In this way we can build future roads together, as the spirit of volunteering knows no limits to imagination and determination," said the President.

The National Volunteering Committee was created by President James Michel in June  this year in order to promote the concept of volunteering in Seychelles and advise and propose to the government means by which it  can further be promoted in society.
The year 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the UN international year of the volunteer that was marked in 2001. 
To mark the 10th anniversary in 2011, the UN will be highlighting its importance once again as a means of giving countries a development boost, no matter what their level of development.