The Gozo NGOs Association celebrated International Volunteer Day 2013 with a number of events between the 5th and the 7th December 2013.
The Association in full collaboration with the Gozo College Girls Secondary School organised a Softball Game with the participation of two teams Redcoats 31st and Redcoats 63rd. The two teams gave a very good performance having as a winner the Redcoast 31st that achieved the NGOs Sport Shield.
Another activity was that of the Commemoration Ceremony, honouring the former presidents of the NGOs Association, Mr. Antoine Vassallo and Dr. Ray Xerri, while Ministers, Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue and Dr Anton Refalo, Minister for Gozo unveiled a commemorative plaque commemorating the anniversary of the 5 Gozitan NGOs.
Another event was the Regional Conference with the theme ‘Volunteering and Tourism …. do they complement each other?’ The conference took place at the NGOs Centre. The conference was in full collaboration with the GTA and the Xewkija Local Council.
The Minister for Gozo opened the conference, while HE the UNESCO Ambassador and the representative of the MTA gave a presentation. Mr. George Larry Zammit, Mro Dr John Galea, Rev Can Noel Saliba and Mr Ryan Mercieca also spoke in the conference. The event ended with a causal discussion on the theme and the present situation.
On Saturday 7th December 2013, the Gozo NGOs where invited to participate in a Mass celebrated by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech at St Francis Church, Victoria.
After the Mass the 5 Gozitan NGOs that are celebrating an anniversary this year planted a tree in Villa Rundel gardens while Dr Grezio Mercieca representing the Minister for Gozo unveiled a plaque remembering this occasion.