SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The Executive Director of the University of Limassol (UoL), Mrs. Ioanna Panayiotou and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Youth Centres Organisation, Mr. Kyriakos Tsioupanis, on Monday 08 July 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

This Memorandum provides for multi-level cooperation to promote the value of Higher Education in the youth sector, while bridging formal learning with the voluntary and non-formal learning sector.

The Cyprus Youth Clubs Organisation is a Non-Governmental, Non-Profit Organisation and is the central coordinating body of youth centres in Cyprus. Its priorities are the development and creation of programmes that enhance the skills, creativity and active citizenship of young people and its main concern is the implementation of actions that promote education, culture and voluntary work and promote the values of solidarity.

Volunteering is a concept that refers to the provision of services that an individual wishes to offer without any reward. Through volunteering, people develop skills and values that strengthen the creation of a healthy lifestyle. Some of these skills and values include the development of creativity, giving, empathy, acceptance, cooperation, selflessness and respect.

The value of volunteering applies to all people, regardless of age. However, engaging young people in volunteering adds further value by creating a more sustainable future in terms of giving and selflessness as well as developing skills that can be used both personally and professionally.

The University of Limassol, recognizing the need and value of volunteering in the youth sector, through this collaboration wishes to bridge the gap between formal and non-formal learning for the empowerment of young people in Cyprus and beyond. This will be achieved through the creation and implementation of joint scientific and educational events and activities, the provision of advisory and scientific services and studies, as well as the exchange of information and expertise on issues of common interest.