Dear Lester,
As Robert Redford said to Barbara Streisand in The Way We Were, ‘What I like about you is that you never give up!’
After many years fighting on opposite ground we find ourselves on the same side at the opening conference of the European Year of Volunteering in Budapest, arguing in favour of the economic value of volunteering – beyond the fluffy arguments raised by activists.
Comme d’habitude, the romantics of the sector couldn’t keep quiet but the wind seems to be behind us this time – especially if we connect volunteering to social innovation. The economic crisis and the need to combine citizens’ engagement with sustainable and inclusive economic growth give quite a helping hand.
The momentum is behind us. We can’t afford to miss this opportunity!
