CVSS to host National Volunteer Conference

The Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) is set to host its annual National Volunteer Conference on Thursday, November 7, at 9 a.m.

This year’s event will be held under the theme ‘Voice, Visibility and Influence: Creating a Lasting Impact’, and aims to empower voluntary organisations with the skills and strategies needed to strengthen advocacy efforts and drive meaningful change.

Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, president of the CVSS, said that the conference is designed to foster an active advocacy culture within civil society by equipping participants with the tools necessary to effectively promote causes, influence decision-makers, and contribute to national development.

“It will provide a platform for voluntary organisations to come together, share insights, and reach a consensus on the role of civil society organisations as key actors in governance,” he said.

Kim Mair, CVSS’ chair, said that one of the primary goals of the conference is to create greater public awareness of the significant contributions made by volunteer organisations in Jamaica.

Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, head of cooperation at the European Union (EU), states that the EU is a long-standing global champion for civil society as development actors in their own right, and supports their engagement as contributors to democratic processes and to achieving better development outcomes. The European Union has provided 95 per cent of the funding of this 30-month intervention programme to strengthen civil society organisations in Jamaica.

Other sponsors include Sandals Foundation, National Baking Company, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, and the Jamaica Public Service Company Foundation.

KEY FORUM

The conference will feature a distinguished line-up of presenters, including guest speaker, Richard Jones, officer-in-charge at the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC). Renowned for his advocacy work in promoting civil society engagement in policy development across the Caribbean, Jones is expected to provide valuable insights into how civil society organisations (CSOs) can enhance their influence and visibility in shaping national policies.

The programme will also include a panel discussion on strengthening democracy through grassroots actions.

“The event promises to be a critical opportunity for participants to engage in discussions about advocacy, partnership-building, and leadership development, all with the goal of enhancing the role of volunteer organisations in national development,” said Nancy Pinchas, executive director at the CVSS.

Persons may register for the conference via the CVSS’s website at https://cvssja.org or on Eventbrite.