The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in collaboration with CUSO International last Thursday launched a website and hosted  a fair at Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, highlighting the work of volunteers in Guyana.

Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Alfred King said during brief remarks that the Volunteerism Support Platform (VSP) was established to create a national link for which a structure was developed for volunteers.
The VSP website is www.vsp.gy and its main purpose is for information sharing.
King recalled that in 2010,  research was conducted and it was found that there is  need to facilitate the platform for volunteers for national development.
King noted also that in 2012 the VSP was launched and it was recognised that volunteers not only bring special skills but also their time for national development for which training is a benchmark.
The PS stated that with the launching of the VSP they were able to appreciate the value of the contribution by volunteers as it was noted that there was need for a more structured approach in the management of volunteers and their activities.
Therefore,  he said,  a network arrangement was put in place when the VSP was launched and with the website now established,  information can be shared and mobilisation can take place easily.
King pointed out that the work of volunteers is very meaningful and he was loud in praise for the impact they have made through their work.   He also expressed thanks to all the organisations that participated in the fair.
CUSO  International collaborates with local partner groups to identify areas of greatest need, and then develops strategic volunteer positions, the CUSO website said. Their volunteers come from many professional and cultural backgrounds,  from across Canada and the United States.
Representative of VSP’s Advisory Committee, CUSO International, Taramattie Persaud told the gathering that it is a significant initiative for them and community groups and schools can benefit.
She stated that with the launching of the website, mobilisation, training and referrals would be  made easier so  all sectors could achieve their goals in volunteerism.
Having outlined the role of VSP, she explained that the role of the private sector can be enhanced  as they are not doing enough in providing skills training for young people in which on-the-job training needs to be a priority.
She pointed out that the website was launched to coincide with International Youth Day celebrations and appealed for  the national youth policy to take cognisance of volunteerism  and hoped that this will soon be finalised.
Meanwhile,  the fair highlighted the work of volunteerism and  flyers and other tokens were distributed.