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Minister Rambally Urges Volunteers to Become Partners in Development

Contact: John Emmanuel

Hon. Menissa Rambally

Thursday, January 24, 2002 - Minister for Social Transformation, Culture and Local Government Honourable Menissa Rambally has been commenting on the role of her Ministry in positively impacting on the lives and value systems of St. Lucians. The Minister, who spoke Thursday, January 24, 2002 at a national community-based organizations’ forum that drew participants from across the country, said government would serve as a catalyst for change in strengthening the ties that exist among community groups, the ‘powers that be’ and the vulnerable in society, namely, the youth.

Minister Rambally encouraged social workers to see themselves as more than just volunteers but as partners assisting in overall nation building. Many of the volunteer organizations, she noted, had made tremendous strides given their limited resources financial and otherwise.

“Part of the work of the Ministry of Social Transformation will be to bring the various stakeholders together in a bid to maximize the benefits to our communities. Simply put, I believe that the work that is being done by several youth, sports, social, religious and cultural groups is far too important to be left solely to the discretionary and volunteer efforts of society,” explained the Minister.

Minister Rambally has called for a lessening of the bureaucracy that exists between government and communities as her Ministry prepares to offer more direct and meaningful assistance to community groups across the country.

The one-day exercise was held under the theme “Celebrating and Promoting Volunteerism in Communities”.

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