Deputy Secretary-General Arjoon Suddhoo and the Chairman of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) Noel Camilleri signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a meeting today. The MoU outlines the principles of cooperation between the two parties.

Under this agreement, MCVS will establish an international desk which will start operations on 2 July 2019. The desk will serve as a contact point between European and Commonwealth countries on sharing best practices, creating partnerships and promoting networking opportunities.

The Deputy Secretary-General said: “The international voluntary desk is an important initiative to exchange useful information among the diverse family of nations. It will provide new streams of information which we can analyse and share to strengthen the voluntary sector and voluntary work.”

Other areas of cooperation include:

• building capacity through training programmes;
• exchanging cutting-edge research on the volunteer sector;
• facilitating access to funds, grants and partnerships; and
• helping national voluntary bodies design strategies and reforms.

Following the meeting, Dr Clifton Grima, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, said: “Malta is very happy that it has developed necessary experience in the voluntary sector which enables us to help other countries achieve the highest standard of excellence.

“The signing of this agreement promotes a closer collaboration through which we can ensure our people are informed about the opportunities and possibilities that arise from the strengthening of our voluntary sector.

“Both parties are committed that this MoU will be actively implemented. I look forward to meeting with our Commonwealth colleagues soon to witness the progress which will be achieved by virtue of this important collaboration.”