Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P Chet Greene has made a clarion call for more residents of Antigua and Barbuda to come forward to serve as volunteers for the several major meetings which the country will host.
The minister was speaking at an appreciation ceremony held at the Copper and Lumber Store in Nelson’s Dockyard for the volunteers who gave their services during the just-concluded Organisation of American States (OAS) 55th Regular Session of the General Assembly held in St. John’s from June 25 to 27.
Minister Greene said the government of Prime Minister Gaston Browne has made a conscious decision to promote Antigua and Barbuda as a host venue for major international events and conferences and as a consequence, there will be a need for a cadre of volunteers who will be ready to perform national service for these events.
“I want to encourage all of us into volunteerism; everything cannot be about money. There are some things that transcend money. The confidence you exude during the hosting of this meeting I am sure will inspire others to get involved in volunteerism. As we sell our communities, we sell our country and we want to take that spirit of volunteerism back to our communities and workplaces so that we can have a cadre of volunteers ready to serve, ready to perform national duties,” he remarked.
Antigua and Barbuda will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next year and according to the minister this will be an even bigger event that both the SIDS4 conference held last year or the OAS meeting held in June.
Also addressing the volunteers was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim who underscored the value of the work performed by the volunteers.
“Hosting this important body required not only logistics, diplomacy, and planning — but more importantly, it required heart, humility, and hands willing to serve. You, our volunteers, became the quiet architects of international hemispheric trust.
“You were the smile at the airport, the steady hand behind every protocol folder, the unseen yet indispensable link in the chain of regional diplomacy. You are not just volunteers — you are national champions. Champions of hospitality. Champions of pride. Champions of unity.
“Tonight, we do not merely say “thank you.” We say, we saw you. We recognize your sacrifice. And we honour your spirit,” he stated.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the group leaders with the other volunteers set to get their certificates directly from the ministry. One of the highlights of the evening was a draw for prizes donated by several businesses.
