Холандският червен кръст (ХЧК): пред предизвикателствата на днешния и утрешния ден. Интервю на Надка Миланова с Мария Ван Вийген
Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC): the challenges of today and tomorrow. Interview of Nadka Milanova with Marja Van Viegen

Summary/Abstract: In the Interview Mrs Marja Van Viegen treats many interesting actual questions about the influence, organizational changes, tasks and activity of the Netherlands Red Cross /NLRC/. The Organization is embedded in the Dutch society. NRLC has nearly 600,000 members and donors. Approximately 30,000 volunteers give their time to help the most vulnerable people. Nationwide, the objectives, activities and strategy of the NLRC are clear to the population of the Netherlands. As a result of the recent organizational changes they expect to increase the strength of the NLRC in front of the new challenges ahead. There is hope to see activities such as Social Welfare, Disaster Response, Disaster Preparedness and Advocacy to be corresponding and visible in each district. Suppose to achieve a further development of the relationship with the strategic and partner societies. NLRC accentuates on disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, emergency response, expanding the knowledge of First Aid Assistance. In a world in which disasters have an ever growing impact, „Resilience“ is a key word. Besides NLRC, in the Netherlands there are many NGOs, supporting the most vulnerable. NLRC is working with the other NGOs, realizing together different projects in the Netherlands and abroad. The problem of voluntary work, youth policy and the international activity were also discussed. The NLRC highly appreciates the role of the voluntary inclusion. The Organization is exploring new ways of voluntary work, concentrating more on flexibility, time constraint, personal knowledge and expertise. To attract and maintain young volunteers is of great importance for the NLRC. The fresh approach and energy of the youth, combined with the knowledge of experienced Red Cross volunteers brings a positive dynamic that is very valuable for the Organization. New /young/ volunteers are also useful for the continuity of departments. As of January 1st, 2011 two young directors were elected as Board members of the NLRC, contributing to the decision making. The cooperation between NLRC and BRC exists more than 15 years. It started as emergency aid. About the beginning of the new millennium its character changed in help for structural projects, as e.g. in Rousse – the street children project, Kurdzali and Kyustendil elderly programs. In 2007 both societies decided to start a more equivalent relationship. So the partnership between four local Red Cross districts in the Netherlands and four regions in Bulgaria was born. Not the financial help for a project is leading in this partnership, but the possibility that both societies can learn from each other. The partnership started in April 2009 for three years. Subsequently, it was extended till June 2013, when this cooperation will officially come to an end. The volunteers of the districts in the Netherlands and in the regions of Bulgaria will probably continue their good relationship.

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