Directive 2011/93/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children contains special provisions in Article 10(3) laying down an obligation of Member States to transmit information on criminal convictions for child sex abuse offences and resulting disqualifications, following a request under Article 6 FD, in order to ensure that employers can become aware of those convictions when recruiting a person for professional or voluntary activities involving direct and regular contacts with children.

According to the Commission communication on promoting the role of voluntary organisations it is estimated that in the EU. 15 between one third and a half of the population are involved in some type of voluntary activity, and while numbers and types of activity vary in different countries there are in excess of 100 million citizens engaged in voluntary activity in the EU 27.

16. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and regional and local authorities to promote volunteering through education at all levels, creating opportunities for voluntary activity at an early stage in the education system so that it is seen as normal contribution to community life and to continue to promote such activity as students grow older, to facilitate "services learning" where students work with voluntary or community groups in partnership as part of their diploma or degree course, to encourage links between the voluntary sector and the education sector at all levels and to promote volunteering and recognise learning in volun ...[+++]teering as part of life long learning;

16. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and regional and local authorities to promote volunteering through education at all levels, creating opportunities for voluntary activity at an early stage in the education system so that it is seen as normal contribution to community life and to continue to promote such activity as students grow older, to facilitate "services learning" where students work with voluntary or community groups in partnership as part of their diploma or degree course, to encourage links between the voluntary sector and the education sector at all levels and to promote volunteering and recognize learning in volun ...[+++]teering as part of life long learning;

In Declaration 38 attached to the Treaty, the Community undertakes to encourage the European dimension of voluntary organisations, with particular emphasis on the exchange of information and experiences as well as on the participation of the young and the elderly in voluntary work.

Declaration 38 attached to the Treaty of Amsterdam recognises the important contribution made by voluntary service activities to developing social solidarity and a commitment is given to the encouragement of the European dimension of voluntary organisations, with particular emphasis on the exchange of information and experiences as well as the participation of the young and the elderly in voluntary work.