JOIN Volunteering & Youth Working Group meets in Valletta

On 8th May, the JOIN Volunteering & Youth Working Group met in Valletta for a face-to-face meeting. Representatives from Austria, England, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the JOIN Board and the JOIN Office were hosted by St John Malta.

The day began with a presentation of each participant on the involvement of volunteers in the COVID-19 response and the humanitarian response for Ukraine.

From left to right: Zsófia Porcsalmy (Johannita Segitö Szolgálat), Robert Brandstetter (Johanniter Austria), Lucy Gardner (St John Ambulance), Thomas Leimer (Austria), Katinka Kersting (Johanniter Nederland), Robin Browne (St John Ambulance), Reuben Attard (St John Malta), Mark Broughton (JOIN Chairman), Eva Pelgen (JOIN Office), Joachim Berney (JOIN Office), Nancy Kestler (Johanniter Germany, Chairwoman of the group), Thomas Vorwerk (Swiss Johanniter).

The next topic of discussion was the Volunteer Swap program for 2022. Following the pause of two years caused by the pandemic, JOIN volunteers are welcome to apply again.

In the second session, the latest activities of the ‘Charity Cooperation Group of the Orders of St John’ were presented. The working group also examined the different national regulations and policies related to the participation of young people and youth groups in Volunteer Swap activities, and the participants agreed to encourage the international exchange of youth groups.

Pictures by Johanniter International