The United Nations has declared 2001 the International Year of Volunteers (IYV). The Strengthening Communities Unit within my Department will be acting as the Secretariat for the Year to co-ordinate volunteering initiatives across Government and in partnership with the community sector.

As you would be aware we have a long-standing commitment to supporting volunteers in our community. We were one of the first governments in Australia to release an election policy specifically addressing volunteering. Promoting our Volunteers: Labor's plan for Volunteering announced:

• an increase in funding for Volunteer Referral Agencies across NSW;
• new Premier's Awards for excellence in voluntary and community effort;
• the establishment of best practice guidelines for Government agencies using volunteers, and
• the development of a long-term volunteering development and management plan.

International Year of Volunteers provides an opportunity for the Government to continue – and build on – its support for volunteers.

Volunteering reinforces the belief that individuals can make a difference. It can transfer knowledge and develop skills and confidence. Volunteering can directly and indirectly contribute to the goals of job creation, environmental sustainability and social justice.

It is desirable that the theme and badging for IYV activities be consistent with existing Government themes and initiatives. Accordingly, NSW's theme for IYV will be Active Citizens, Building Communities. All activities by Government agencies relating to volunteers during the Year should be badged under this theme as part of promoting active citizenship and building stronger communities.

A number of activities have been identified for IYV:

• Premier's IYV Awards for active citizenship in country towns and major centres to be nominated by local councils and/or local members.
• a series of local volunteer Expos, in conjunction with local Government, held in a number of rural centres and metropolitan LGAs, revealing the opportunities for volunteering in local communities (sporting clubs, home help, fire fighting etc);
• targeting six to ten disadvantaged areas, as part of the Strengthening Local Communities Strategy, where increased voluntary activity could strengthen communities and assist people commence meaningful and useful community activities; and
• encouraging institutions to support employee volunteering.

Many agencies are already doing much to promote and support volunteering either directly or indirectly. Other initiatives will be identified through the inter-agency process and the IYV Forums.

To support community involvement in the Year the Government will be funding a position within Volunteering NSW to facilitate community activity. In addition IYV will be supported by a high level Steering Committee and a series of IYV Forums to support the involvement or and inter-change of ideas between a range of interested groups throughout the year.

The Premier's Department has allocated resources, in the form of personnel for a small secretariat, to co-ordinate agency activity and community relations on a whole-of-government basis. Agencies are also being requested to make a contribution to the costs of whole of government communication and community projects for IYV.

All Ministers and CEOs should ensure that their agencies take an active role in supporting and contributing to the year.

Bob Carr
Premier