Ordinary General Meeting of the National Forum of Volunteers 

Patrick RAVELOSON, the new President of Volunteers Madagascar

The Ordinary General Assembly (OGA) of the Forum National des Bénévoles de Action Education à Madagascar was held from 5 to 9 December 2023 at the sisters' centre in Ambohidratrimo. In accordance with the statutes of the National Forum, an AGM of volunteers is held annually to reflect on the overall directions for the development and efficiency of the Forum. It is also an opportunity for each Forum to meet and exchange ideas with its members, and to share its ambitions with the members of the National Board. It allows important decisions to be taken and important information to be communicated within the Forum.

The National Board's term of office was also due to expire in 2023. The AGM was therefore an opportunity for the representatives of the 9 regional forums to elect new officers. Patrick RAVELOSO was elected President, replacing Gertrude RAHARIMALALA, who wished to pass the torch to younger volunteers. The 2 vice-presidents, general secretary, treasurer, advisors and auditors were also elected. The meeting then gave the fora the opportunity to assimilate the new "Action Education" identity and the resulting organisation through the intervention of the Indian Ocean Territory Coordination. It should be noted that these representatives will also be responsible for informing and raising awareness among volunteer members in their respective regions about Aide et Action's code of ethics and safeguarding policy, as well as the new clauses updating the national forum's by-laws and internal regulations. Each forum shared its 2022-2023 activity report and financial report. The forums also produced their respective work plans for 2024.

Alongside the work of the Ordinary General Meeting, the volunteers celebrated International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December. To mark the occasion, they repainted the pre-school classroom at the Ambohitsiroa public primary school in the Ambohidratrimo school district, where the Investing in Early Childhood Education and Protection (IEPPE) project operates. The members of the fora also raised awareness among the general public about children's rights.