For Open Days 2011, citizens sat alongside MEPs to take part in a debate on volunteering. But what were the points they clashed on?

MEPs Question Time

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15580000/N001-110507-002-EN.srt

Addicted to Facebook?  You're sure to start the day by logging on.

This Saturday, MEP Marian Harkin  was no different.

The Open Days gave her the opportunity  to chat about volunteering.

It's a simple technique: she thinks, replies  and he types.

Somebody spoke to me  who was 55 years old.

He said he was too old for volunteering  and I tried to encourage him.

I said 'Absolutely not!' because a lot  of older people are starting to volunteer

Claude Lange is a Belgian OAP  who makes the most of his time.

Sitting where an MEP would normally be,  he participated in the debate.

He believes there's confusion between  paid and non-paid voluntary work.

are people whose efforts  were recognised afterwards.

They were however obviously paid  as soldiers, they did not volunteer for free.

We take pride that we were able to  have them during that period.

Volunteers today are people  who take part in activities

for which they don't necessarily request  financial input.

It's the European Year of Volunteering  and time to pay tribute to those

I'm really scared that we're loosing values  such as solidarity,

helping the community,  which volunteering demonstrates well.

We need to change course  to give it a boost again

In Europe, volunteering is far  from being loss-making work.

It is believed to have  a great social impact.

Volunteers' know-how is of benefit  to others who can then find work again.

It is estimated that for every euro spent  on volunteering there is a 3-8 euro return.