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Successful participation in the first International Volunteer Fair in Alfaz del Pi

 

To highlight and recognize the work of volunteers and social organizations that strive every day for a more just, inclusive, equal, diverse, and supportive society. This was the main objective of the first International Volunteer Fair of Alfàs del Pi, held yesterday on Racó de l'Albir beach. An event that brought together more than twenty local, regional, national, and international associations and NGOs, all united under the slogan "One day to change the world."

Organised by the Department of Cooperation and Volunteering of the Alfaz del Pi City Council, in collaboration with the International Residents Department, the Fair became a festive, cultural, and charitable event on the seashore, attracting a large audience throughout the morning.

In this first International Volunteer Fair of l'Alfàs del Pi, up to 24 organizations of different kinds participated, including City Streets Costa Blanca, Club Planken, Corazón Exprés, Apaex, Voluntariado Social de l'Alfàs del Pi, Intermón Oxfam, Red Cross, Alicante for the Fight against Cancer, Cáritas, Anémona Marina Baixa, Médicos del Mundo, DeAmicitia, Lions Club, International Solidaritat of the Valencià Country, Aspanion, Manos Unidas, Integra, Asociación Juita Friends of the Sahrawi People, MABS, Helsinki Spain, AFA Marina Baixa, Frivilligsentralen Costa Blanca Nord, Fons Valencià per la Solidaritat and Group IV Scout de l'Alfàs.

More than just a fair, the event became a space for meeting, raising awareness, and engaging with fundamental causes such as peace education, global justice, the defense of human rights, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty and exclusion. A day where art, participation, and cooperation came together to build a better world.

In addition to the informational tents set up by the various participating NGOs and associations, family activities, children's workshops, and interactive attractions were held throughout the morning, including a 360º virtual reality simulator and a 360º photocall to capture unique moments. In addition, all attendees were able to participate in the creation of a collective mural.

The program also included the storytelling session "Stories for Family Dreams by the Sea"; the social theater performance "The Rebirth of Harmony" by Racatrá Teatro, the volunteer activist company of International Solidarity of the Valencian Country; and a live performance by the Chamaleon Jazz Group.

The mayor of l'Alfàs del Pi, Vicente Arques, stated during the fair's opening that "it is a source of pride to see how our municipality is consolidating its position as a benchmark for the values ​​of cooperation, inclusion, and social commitment. We deeply appreciate the work of all the participating organizations and the altruistic spirit that fills our streets today."

The opening ceremony was attended, along with the mayor, by the Councilor for Cooperation and Volunteering, Isabel Muñoz; the Councilor for International Residents, Martine Mertens; the Councilor for Relations with Residents' Associations and Clubs, Patrick de Meirsman; and the Popular Party councilors María Arantzazu González de Zárate and César Martínez.

The first International Volunteer Fair is part of l'Alfàs del Pi's commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, and reinforces its commitment to an active, empathetic, and globally connected citizenry to build a more just, inclusive, egalitarian, diverse, supportive, and peaceful future.