Brussels, 31/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - As part of the International Year of Volunteering 2011, the European Youth Forum is holding the 2nd Youth Convention on Volunteering on 7-11 September 2011, to celebrate the work and involvement of young volunteers in youth organisations. Over five days, many activites will be organised and connected to each other: workshops, debates, concerts, etc. Among these activities, there will be a conference of the stakeholders on 7-8 September on the central theme of “The Rights of Volunteers”. This conference, which will bring together voluntary organisations, researchers, volunteers and political decision-makers from across Europe, aims to ensure that the voices of volunteers and their organisations are heard. After the conference, a Declaration on the Rights of the Volunteer will be published, recognising the need to create a European Charter for Volunteers' Rights. Volunteering and participation in youth organisations are at the heart of democracy and are a force for social inclusion and active citizenship, stresses the European Youth Forum. This 2nd Convention is therefore “an opportunity to share best practice and to discuss examples of volunteering experiences and to demonstrate the value of volunteering”, said Peter Matjasic, President of the European Youth Forum. (I.L./transl.fl)