Volunteerism!

A Noble Concept Called Volunteerism!

Let’s Join Hands to Serve Humanity

By: Kashoo Tawseef

Every religion including Islam talks about humanity (Insania) umpteen times, as it does on justice (Haq) and charity (Sadaqat) one needs to understand these concepts. To help humanity in any shape and form is the best endeavor one can do and volunteering is one such action that can add to your deeds much more than anything else. To volunteer is an integral part of the lives of many people, communities and societies in the world who want to serve humanity across the board rising above the differences of class, race, sect, colour, gender or nationality that exists in certain societies even today. Individuals in need benefit from the valuable assistance of volunteer work in many ways who not only share their knowledge and expertise, but other things including skills, valuable time and resources in the areas like social services, humanitarian support, technical assistance, and so on.
Usually volunteers do not expect material remuneration for their work with exemplary compassion and love for others. Among them the most challenging part is their valuable time that volunteers contribute with remarkable dedication and commitment. Take an example of last years floods - the local volunteers played a major role in rescue and rehabilitation process, as the administration in place was invisible and helpless as the magnitude of disaster was enormous. 

Presently, volunteering is backbone for many societies and cultures both in western and eastern part of the world. The beauty of the concept is that those who volunteer give their time, energy, expertise and expect nothing in return. Recognizing volunteers for their efforts is an important part of retaining and recruiting other volunteers’ especially young ones for future. Societies and institutions should show their appreciation to get more and more people involved in this noble concept to attract these youngsters to help with their cause. Their efforts and invest in any form for this cause must be recognized. Volunteers are joining hands in different ways and in various fields across the world. No matter what way one works or what cause one worked for, it is important to have something for them to make their efforts appreciated so that they will be inspirational for the future generations. 

In the present times, where there are killings in every part of the world; either because of the conflicts or other reasons including the natural disasters, the world is witnessing a flow of support to this noble concept of volunteerism and especially in the field of social service, which the present world is deficient of. This concept was strongly supported by the United Nations, which declared the year 2001 as “International Year of the Volunteer”. Even before this, efforts have been exerted to promote the concept of volunteerism and to recognize the volunteers’ contributions in nation building, international cooperation and peace building. One other significant move at the global level was the declaration by the United Nations in 1985 of the International Volunteer Day (IVD) every December 05. The states should invest in this concept and promote more awareness about this noble cause. 

The concept needs public awareness and appreciation for the contribution of volunteers’ work. This creates the environment for volunteerism and recognizes volunteers as partners in development process, and in the peace building especially in conflict places were peace has turned into pieces. All sectors of society – government, NGOs, academic institutions, corporate groups and individuals can join to participate and promote this agenda that supports the concept of volunteerism. It may involve different events and activities depending where you work which includes initiating and organizing volunteering events. Activities that may include information dissemination, volunteering or mobilizing volunteers for humanitarian, social services and technical assistance, reconstruction and rebuilding in the conflict ridden areas and around the different parts of the world and supporting volunteerism causes through resource generation and advocacy drives. 

Good example can be volunteering helping in building public libraries in every town and city, inviting people to donate used books and literature. Involving students to voluntarily work in such libraries while working they will be learning. Inviting guest speakers from various fields like science, social science, law, computer science to deliver lectures in such libraries. Having public discussions and debates on local and state issues. Arranging public awareness campaigns on issues like health and hygiene, climate, natural disasters. The above mentioned example is achievable and doesn’t need funds that will be hard to arrange. Similarly many such activities can be operationalised.

The concept of volunteerism should be introduced at gross root levels that can be in schools, colleges and in the universities. More professionals at higher level can be professional volunteers and can be a helpful human resource especially in the need of emergency and rescue like floods and earthquakes. This concept is more needed in Asia unlike other places as in the part of the region are many conflict ridden areas and more prone to natural disasters. One can join this noble cause wherever in the world he or she is, and or at least give suggestions to others by posting their thoughts and ideas in the various forums available to them and surely will be much appreciated by everyone. 

So what are we waiting for? Let’s join this noble undertaking to celebrate volunteerism, be part of the growing noble concept to make our contribution and serve the humanity and help to bring the peace on planet earth. Let me wrap up with the words of H. Jackson Brown Jr., remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. Giving can not necessarily be financial but in any shape in Farsi they say kadamai, sukhamai, dirhamai (if you can’t support financially at least do by walking means give some of your valuable time, or by talking means give your valuable thoughts). 

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