Italy: 40 NGOs ask for a recognition by the UE

On May 2nd, 40 NGOs gathered in Rome for an international conference, asked the EU to recognize and promote the role of the Third Sector, giving a formal certification, a ?licence? , to those organizations which deserve it for their competence in the voluntary sector. Besides the ?licence?, Third Sector Representatives asked for the publication of a White Book on the work of the voluntary sector and for national governments to make policies on the sector. Also, they want a Fund to be allocated for the development of the European Centre for voluntary sector (Cev). The NGOs gathered in Rome have presented a manifesto addressed to the responsibles of European policies to explain the importance of the voluntary sector and to propose substantial actions ?to recognize and promote the voluntary sector in all Europe?. Voluntary sector, explain the NGOs in their manifesto, can be of different kinds in Europe. Among those different types there are some common characteristics : for Cev voluntary work can just be an activity done for free choice and motivation; an experience made without intentions of making profit and in an organized environment, with the aim to help other people and society in general. Millions of citizens, explains the Cev, are actively involved in the sector: in the United Kingdom, for instance, every year 23 million people commit to voluntary sector. The economic value of these activities is higher than 65 billion euros, which sum up to 7.9% of Uk GNP. www.cev.be