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Forum des agences nationales de volontariat en Afrique de l'Ouest

At the ECOWAS 6th Annual Forum of National Volunteer Agencies in Cotonou, Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Center, highlighted the crucial role of volunteering in youth development. He noted that youth make up nearly 70% of the ECOWAS population and described the center's efforts to support them through various projects, including a volunteer program launched in 2004 to aid post-conflict member states in development, peace-building, and reconciliation. The forum, centered on innovation in volunteering, brings together national volunteer agencies, ECOWAS National Units, and civil society organizations to explore new ways to enhance volunteering in the region. Group sessions focused on youth employability, mentoring and coaching, volunteer coordination, and resource mobilization to broaden the scope of volunteering. A key event is the launch of a guide to best practices in volunteering, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can serve as a tool for responding to epidemics in the region.