BRUSSELS — People aged 20 to 30 can do volunteer work in Africa starting from next year and be paid the national minimum wage by the federal government.

Those involved in the federal government’s scheme will be able to stay in Africa for up to three years, Flemish broadcaster VRT reported on Monday.

Candidates will not need a diploma, but they must have finished secondary school. They will also be required to sit a competency exam.

Belgian people can do voluntary work in one of 18 countries, most of which are locate din Africa.

The countries included are Algeria, Benin, Bolivia, Burundi, DR Congo, Ecuador, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and South Africa.

Successful candidates will do field work together with the Belgian Technical Co-operation agency (BTC) or NGO’s or can carry out administrative tasks.

Overseas Development Minister Armand de Decker said the scheme can provide youth with their first work experience and broaden their horizons.

There will be positions created for 100 Belgians per year over the next three years.

The idea for the scheme stems from the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster last year and the wave of global solidarity offered to the victims.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news