The government’s declaration on voluntary work
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Culture
Press release | No: 131/14 | Date: 05/12/2014 | Last updated: 12/12/2014
On 5 December, UN International Volunteer Day, the government published its declaration on voluntary work, which establishes a framework for dialogue and interaction between the voluntary sector and the government.
(Caption) Ministerial meeting between Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie, Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey, Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Minister of Local Government and Modernisation Jan Tore Sanner and Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne. (Photo: Wenche Nybo/Ministry of Culture)
“Voluntary work is crucial in almost every sphere of society. Through the declaration on voluntary work, we are giving the voluntary sector predictability, transparency, trust and accessibility in its dialogue with the government, irrespective of which ministry is involved. The efforts of volunteers in their local communities combat loneliness and build a sense of community. Voluntary work is the foundation of the good society,” said Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey.
(Caption) Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey being interviewed by TV2 in connection with the declaration on voluntary work. (Photo: Wenche Nybo/Ministry of Culture)
Although the Ministry of Culture coordinates the government’s voluntary-sector policy, the declaration on voluntary work does not replace the sectoral policy responsibilities of the individual ministries. The ministerial meeting was attended by Prime Minister Erna Solberg and cabinet ministers Jan Tore Sanner, Bent Høie and Solveig Horne.
“Voluntary work creates joy and wellbeing, and brings local communities closer together. That is why it is important that both the State and municipalities provide good framework conditions for the voluntary sector,” said Minister of Local Government and Modernisation Jan Tore Sanner.
“Much important health work begins in the voluntary sector. Voluntary organisations both initiate and drive forward efforts to reduce loneliness, engage more people in physical activity, cultivate interests and create positive meetings between people,” said Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.
“Voluntary organisations are the glue that holds our society together. I am focused on conducting a close dialogue with voluntary organisations. Together, we can improve our initiatives to help children, young people and disabled persons, our family-policy measures and our gender equality and integration efforts,” said Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne.
The declaration on voluntary work will now be sent to the voluntary sector for feedback.
(Caption) Voluntary-sector representatives at the government-voluntary sector summit on 5 December 2014. From the left: Gunn Marit Helgesen, Chair of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), Sturla Stålsett, Chair of the Association of NGOs in Norway (Frivillighet Norge), Stian Seland, Chair of the Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU), Børre Rognlien, President of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF), Birgitte Brekke, Secretary General of the Association of NGOs in Norway (Frivillighet Norge) and Inge Andersen, Secretary General of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF).
(Photo: Wenche Nybo/Ministry of Culture)