The 4th Civil Society Session, organized by the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council (PVCC), was held with great success on 17 October 2014 at the House of Representatives.

The Cyprus Crohn’s and Colitis Association (CYCCA) was represented as a Civil Society Member of Parliament by Ms. Natasa-Rebecca Theodosiou, Assistant Secretary of the Association.

The memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives during the 4th Civil Society Session focused on the theme:

“Developing a Strategy for the Survival of Voluntary Organisations/NGOs in Conditions of Ongoing Economic Crisis.”

The session was attended by 56 representatives from various sectors of voluntary and non-governmental organisations, all serving as Members of Parliament of the Civil Society Session. In this capacity, they had the opportunity to make oral presentations and interventions based on the memorandum, in the presence of relevant government officials.

The intervention made by Ms. Natasa-Rebecca Theodosiou on behalf of CYCCA was:

“Mr. Chairman, Dear Delegates,

One issue I would like to raise concerns respect for and acceptance of diversity, which is an essential aspect of culture, as culture is a multidimensional concept. We need the support of the state and all relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, and others, in order to eliminate prejudice and social exclusion experienced by people living with chronic illnesses, especially when those illnesses are invisible.

The result of such efforts would be to encourage people with chronic conditions to join various voluntary organisations and associations, thereby strengthening and helping them survive during times of economic crisis, without fear of stigma or marginalisation.”

Representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Education and Culture, Labour, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Welfare and Social Insurance, and Health also made presentations, as did representatives from the Union of Cyprus Communities, the Cyprus Youth Organisation, the Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, and the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. The Commissioner for Volunteerism and Non-Governmental Organisations also addressed the session.