It has been 10 years since the world marked the International Year of Volunteerism. Today, after ten years of renaissance, growth and motivation, the volunteers of the world have achieved great heights.
The first ever ‘State of the World Volunteerism Report – Universal Values for Global Well-being” was launched in Sri Lanka earlier this month, with Sri Lanka having the privilege to be the first to launch it from the whole South - Asian region. The report in itself is a collection of the values that come under the volunteer umbrella and tells the success story spanning the last decade.
What relevance could it have to Sri Lanka? And why launch the report at this point of time?
“Sri Lanka is privileged to have a front row seat to an era of communal change, it is a rare situation when a war has ended abruptly and communities are looking for peace and hope, and volunteers play an imperative part in this scenario,” said Douglas Keh, the Country Director for UNDP, answering a question on volunteer relevance in Sri Lanka. This is the best time to launch such a report to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers worldwide. “Volunteerism can be explained in a few strong words: Energy, Commitment, Selflessness, Togetherness, Caring and Change,” Mr. Keh said.
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| The event marking the release of the report. Pic by Susantha Liyanawatte |
“Volunteer service transcends time and space, and has become an integral part of society,” said Prof Siri Hettige of the University of Colombo. “In modern times we have seen that donor funding has led to the dependency syndrome where developing nations depend solely on monetary aid,” added Professor Hettige explaining that when volunteers put their hands up and work selflessly, nations become less dependent on monetary aid and tend to fend for themselves.
Going on to comment on the report, Natal Donnaloia, Sri Lanka Programme Officer, mentioned that 2001, marked as the International Year of Volunteerism brought about new energy and awareness, and ten years down the line, volunteers have grown to become a mounting force. “Our next goal is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, and volunteers are placed right at the heart of this endeavour,” he said.
An interesting example was brought out by Mr. Donnaloia, “In 1996, two different groups wanted to create a fully fledged encyclopaedia, one was well recognized, had high assets and trained professionals while the other had hundreds of volunteers handing in documents and articles. The first group created Encarta, while the second succeeded in creating Wikipedia: whuich do you think has made the biggest impact today?”
The “State of the World Volunteerism report” highlights dynamic new forms of international volunteering illustrating the need to rethink development assistance, the report notes. “International volunteering is not only the transfer of technical skills,” UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri said. “It is also the enhancement of relationships, global cooperation and the values of solidarity.”
The report finds that the private sector is increasingly involved in volunteerism throughout the framework of corporate social responsibility (CSR). This is the case worldwide although CSR is less institutionalized in developing countries where fewer companies commit resources to volunteering. “Companies that support volunteering enable citizens to engage in activities that correspond to their values and that strengthens the fabric of society,” the report stresses.
Volunteerism Plays an Important Role in Overcoming Barriers – Many countries promote systems of mutual support. Community health workers, for example, are the backbone of public health systems in the developing world.
The report also illustrates how women can challenge their traditional roles in society and experience greater empowerment. Volunteerism provides them with opportunities to engage in social and political issues.
Young people can acquire vocational and social skills, and improve their employability, through volunteer action. Developing countries are increasingly introducing volunteer schemes in educational systems. For older groups volunteerism can reduce the risk of isolation and social exclusion.
Migrants who are facing challenges in overcoming exclusion can practise language skills and build social networks that can lead to greater inclusion. People living with HIV/AIDS are able to fight the stigma of the pandemic, build self-esteem and enhance their well-being.
Volunteer action is an essential asset in the face of War and Disaster – Volunteerism has a crucial impact on the prevention of conflict. It can also play a positive role in conflict and post-conflict situations. “In Sri Lanka, the healing process between the two ethnic groups involved in conflict is being assisted by thousands of volunteers from the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement who are trained in peace building, crisis intervention and non-violent dispute resolution in order to engage them in the longer-term rehabilitation process, quotes the report.
With Sri Lanka taking the forefront in the South Asian region, the V-Awards (Volunteer Awards) being held are proof for the immense amount of hard work and dedication put in by our youth. |
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