The French platform for international solidarity volunteering and exchange in partnership with the Embassy of France in the Philippine celebrated the French Volunteering Day (Journée du Volontariat Français / JVF) last 4 October 2024 at the IBG-KAL Theatre of the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Celebrated globally every October since 2010, the French Volunteering Day aims to celebrate the commitment of French volunteers and France’s international solidarity commitment. Anchored by the global theme “Francophonie: Volunteers in Action” and with the national sub-theme “Francophonie: In Service to All.” the celebration highlighted Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and its link between volunteering and how francophones strive to contribute to development and international cooperation through volunteerism and humanitarian work respectively.
On her welcoming remarks, H.E. Marie Fontanel, French Ambassador to the Philippines lauded the French volunteers and their respective organizations for their essential role in France’s international solidarity actions. She also reiterated the role of French volunteers in creating links between communities around the world and how they enable civic society to carry out development actions. “French volunteering embodies the commitment and sharing the values that are common to France and to the Philippines. Your daily effort and enthusiasm strengthen the friendship between our two nations” she added.
Ms. Cristina Ortega, Former Philippine Ambassador to France (2011-2014) on the other hand emphasize the best practices of France Volontaires towards institutionalized volunteering and how it compliments to the values of La Francophonie: “equality (égalité), complementarity (complémentarité), and solidarity (solidarité).” Ms. Ortega then noted the role of volunteering in the field of international volunteering in diplomacy stating that “Volunteers are ambassadors themselves: representing their nations’ culture and being agents of international cooperation.”
Ms. Nanette Repalpa, National Representative of France Volontaires then presented France Volontaires volunteering programs and underlining the platform’s inclusive and equal opportunities to all regardless of their nationalities and educational attainment. Ms. Repalpa reported that as of 4 October 2024, 137 international volunteers have been deployed in wide-ranging missions and across different regions in the country. Further, she also promoted to the Filipino audience the reciprocity volunteering unique to France Volontaires platform which allows Filipino youths to participate in volunteering programs in France. Recently, France Volontaires in partnership with the Embassy has managed to deploy 9 Filipinos as volunteers for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games. 39 Filipino youths have already volunteered in France 14 of which are currently in service according to Ms. Repalpa.
As part of the program, French volunteers Salomé Kerrand (from Alliance française de Manille), Ameline Roger (from ABConservation Palawan) and Belgian volunteer Virginie Depret (from Life Project for Youth) presented their volunteering missions, their experiences as international volunteers in the Philippines, and how they contribute to the missions of La Francophonie (OIF).
Former Filipino volunteers Juliana Garcia and Freddie Bernardino who both recently concluded their missions in France and Zambia respectively also presented their experiences and how it contributed to their personal and professional development.
Additionally, a roundtable discussion with the francophone and Filipino volunteers was organized to have in-depth understanding of their challenges and accomplishments as volunteers.
The celebration was organized also supported by Campus France Philippines, Alliance française de manille, and the University of the Philippines – Diliman (through Department of European Languages and student organizations: UP Le Club Français and UP Euro).
Illumination of Rizal Monument and Special Photo Exhibition
Prior to the main celebration of French Volunteering Day, France Volontaires held a special photo exhibition on 1 October 2024 with photos taken by local and Francophonie volunteers showcasing Francophonie values and missions at Alliance française de Manille’s Gallery.
On 3 October 2024, France Volontaires in partnership with the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) illuminated the Rizal Monument into the colors of the French flag (red, white, and blue) and organised a special lights and sound presentation adorning the Musical Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park into the colors of La Francophonie (OIF) flag colors: blue, yellow, green, violet, and red, accompanied by French music.
France Volontaires is the French platform for international voluntary engagement, promoting solidarity initiatives worldwide. It provides individuals with opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects, fostering intercultural exchange and sustainable development through volunteering. For more information, visit their website at https://france-volontaires.org.