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2011    State of the World’s
       olunteerism Report
       Universal Values for Global Well-being
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the United
Nations organization that contributes to peace and development
through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of
engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can
transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits
both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening
trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully
creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and
development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with
partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and
mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including
experienced United Nations Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV
embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes
volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will,
commitment, engagement and solidarity.




         UNV is administered by the
         United Nations Development Programme
         (UNDP)
State of the World’s
2011   olunteerism Report
       Universal Values for Global Well-being
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




     © United Nations Volunteers, 2011

     Published by: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
     Translated by: Prime Production, United Kingdom
     Designed by: Baseline Arts, United Kingdom; Shubh Chakraborty (cover idea)
     Printed by: Phoenix Design Aid, Denmark

     This report is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish
     To order a copy, please visit: https://unp.un.org/

     Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication.

     ISBN-13: 978-92-1-101246-0

     e-ISBN-13: 978-92-1-054828-1

     Sales No.: E.11.I.12




ii
SWVR REPORT TEAM




State of the World’s Volunteerism Report Team

Senior Writer                                  Project Manager
Robert Leigh                                   Aygen Aytac

Research and Writing Team                      Communications Specialist
David Horton Smith (Senior Researcher),        Lothar Mikulla
Cornelia Giesing, María José León, Debbie
Haski-Leventhal, Benjamin J. Lough, Jacob      Administrative Support Team
Mwathi Mati, Sabine Strassburg                 Vera Chrobok, Johannes Bullmann

Editor
Paul Hockenos




The analysis and policy recommendations of this report do not necessarily reflect the views
of the United Nations Development Programme. The research and writing of the report was
a collaborative effort by the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report team and a group of
eminent advisers led by Flavia Pansieri, Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers.



Citing of trade names or commercial processes does not constitute endorsement.

                                                                                                                 iii
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                             Foreword

                             Volunteering occurs in every society in the          a decent standard of living. As the Human De-
                             world. The terms which define it and the             velopment Reports have shown, development
                             forms of its expression may vary in different lan-   effectiveness needs to be measured not only
                             guages and cultures, but the values which drive      by GDP per capita, but also by the extent to
                             it are common and universal: a desire to con-        which people’s choices have expanded and im-
                             tribute to the common good, out of free will         proved their quality of life.
                             and in a spirit of solidarity, without expectation       The human development concept puts
                             of material reward.                                  people at the very centre of development.
                                  Volunteers are motivated by values like         UNV’s report embraces that too, recognizing the
                             those of justice, equality and freedom as ex-        importance of non-material attainments to the
                             pressed in the United Nations Charter. A soci-       well-being of individuals and the entire socie-
                             ety which supports and encourages different          ty. Material improvements – health, education
                             forms of volunteering is likely to be a society      and decent work – remain essential; but also
                             which also promotes the well-being of its cit-       vital are participation, empowerment and ac-
                             izens. A society which fails to recognize and fa-    tive citizenship of which volunteering is such
                             cilitate the contributions of volunteers deprives    a powerful expression.
                             itself of contributions to public well-being             The Global Human Development Report
                             which could be made.                                 2010 stated: “Putting people at the centre of de-
                                  In proclaiming the International Year of Vol-   velopment means making progress equitable and
                             unteers ten years ago, the international com-        broad-based, enabling people to be active par-
                             munity recognized the essential contributions        ticipants in change.” UNV’s report shows vol-
                             which volunteers make to the progress, cohe-         unteering to be a highly effective way of
                             sion and resilience of communities and nations.      building on people’s capabilities in all societies
                             Yet, as we strive to accelerate progress to          and at all levels.
                             reach the Millennium Development Goals by                At UNDP, we believe in supporting countries
                             2015, the contributions of volunteers are not        to build the institutions, capacities and policies
                             always factored into development strategies          which will drive transformational change. To be
                             and often remain at the margins of develop-          effective, policies need to bring about change
                             ment debate.                                         at the grassroots level. Strategies nurtured by
                                  The United Nations Volunteers programme         community-level action can help achieve that.
                             took the initiative to commission this first-ever        This report should trigger a discussion on,
                             United Nations report on volunteering as a way       and promote a better understanding of, the
                             of marking the tenth anniversary of the Inter-       contributions of volunteering to peace and de-
                             national Year of Volunteers. By emphasising the      velopment.
                             untapped potential of volunteering, the report
                             shows that the current development archi-
                             tecture is incomplete where it omits to include
                             the contributions volunteers can make.
                                  Over the past two decades, the United Na-       Helen Clark
                             tions Development Programme (UNDP) has ad-           Administrator, United Nations Development
                             vanced the concept of human development,             Programme
                             calling for expanding people’s choices and free-
                             doms and increasing their ability to live long
                             and healthy lives, to be educated, and to enjoy

iv
FOREWORD AND PREFACE




Preface

The focus of this report is on the universal          any strategy that recognizes that progress
values that motivate people the world over to         cannot be measured solely in terms of eco-
volunteer for the common good and on the im-          nomic return and that individuals are not mo-
pact of volunteer action on societies and indi-       tivated by self-interest alone but also by their
viduals. We believe in the power of volunteering      deeply held values and beliefs.
to promote cooperation, encourage participa-              In the chapters that follow, we provide nu-
tion and contribute to the well-being of indi-        merous examples of the transformational
viduals and of society as a whole.                    changes that volunteers experience and pro-
     Volunteerism was recognized as an im-            duce. We show why volunteerism is crucial to
portant factor in development ten years ago in        human development. More importantly, we ar-
2001 when 126 Member States co-sponsored              gue that a truly human society needs to be driv-
a General Assembly resolution at the end of the       en by the values of trust, solidarity and mutual
International Year of Volunteers (IYV). This res-     respect which inspire all volunteers.
olution provided numerous policy recom-                   In preparing this first United Nations report
mendations to governments, United Nations             on volunteerism, we address numerous defi-
bodies, non-governmental organizations and            nitional and methodological issues. We are well
others on ways to promote and support vol-            aware that further study and research are
unteerism.                                            needed to refine our understanding of the na-
     Since then, encouraging progress has been        ture and extent of this expression of human en-
made in implementing some of these recom-             deavour. This report represents the starting
mendations. At the same time, as we mark the          point for a broader debate, not a definitive an-
tenth anniversary of IYV, the contribution of vol-    swer. In future years, we intend to deepen our
unteerism is still only partially recognized. It is   understanding of the motivations, scope, val-
an afterthought rather than an organic com-           ue and impact of volunteerism worldwide.
ponent of programmes designed to promote
citizen participation and societal well-being.
     With this report, we hope to make the case
for the recognition of volunteerism as an es-
sential component for the sustainable, equi-          Flavia Pansieri
table progress of communities and nations. In         Executive Coordinator, United Nations
a rapidly changing environment, volunteerism          Volunteers
is a constant. Its forms of expression may vary
but the central values of solidarity and com-
mitment that lie at its core remain strong and
universal. They are found in all cultures and so-
cieties and are a true expression of our common
humanity.
     There is growing recognition of the need to
modify our unsustainable production and
consumption patterns. This will require polit-
ical will. Equally, it will require the buy-in and
active participation of citizens. Volunteerism is
not a panacea to the problems of the world to-
day. It is, however, an essential component of

                                                                                                                                 v
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                             Acknowledgements

                             This report is the result of a truly partici-           An internal UNV Readers Group compris-
                             patory effort. The sincere thanks of UNV go         ing UNV management and technical staff was
                             to all who contributed their time, knowledge        established to provide feedback on the draft
                             and experience. As befits a report on volun-        SWVR. The report benefited greatly from their
                             teerism, most of the contributions took the         advice and suggestions. Thus we would like to
                             form of voluntary engagement. The report was        thank: Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, Mahamane
                             prepared by a core team, coordinated by             Baby, Manon Bernier, Elise Bouvet, Mae Chao,
                             Project Manager Aygen Aytac, under the gen-         Simona Costanzo-Sow, Peter Devereux, Olga
                             eral guidance and supervision of Flavia Pansieri,   Devyatkin, Francesco Galtieri, Kevin Gilroy,
                             Executive Coordinator of the United Nations         Naheed Haque, Moraig Henderson, Ibrahim
                             Volunteers (UNV) programme. The research            Hussein, Ghulam Isaczai, Allen Jennings, Tapi-
                             and writing team, led by Senior Writer Robert       wa Kamuruko, Donna Keher, Svend Amdi
                             Leigh, comprised the founder of ARNOVA,             Madsen, Yvonne Maharoof, Robert Palmer,
                             David Horton Smith from the Boston Col-             Jan Snoeks, Robert Toe, Marco van der Ree,
                             lege, Benjamin J. Lough from the University of      Oliver Wittershagen, Kawtar Zerouali and
                             Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jacob Mwathi          Veronique Zidi-Aporeigah. An internal refer-
                             Mati from the University of Witwatersrand,          ence group also assisted. Thanks go to Alba
                             Debbie Haski-Leventhal from Macquarie Uni-          Candel Pau, Fabienne Copin, Romain De-
                             versity, and Independent Consultants María          sclous, Rafael Martínez, Marguerite Minani
                             José León, Cornelia Giesing and Sabine Strass-      and Amina Said.
                             burg. Project and administrative support was            UNV commissioned 19 background papers
                             provided by Vera Chrobok and Johannes Bull-         on a range of thematic issues related to vol-
                             mann. Lothar Mikulla led the communica-             unteerism and seven regional papers. We
                             tion and advocacy activities and Paul Hockenos      would like to thank the authors for providing
                             edited the report. Thanks also go to Shubh          us with rich information and data: Jody Aked,
                             Chakraborty for suggestion of the cover page        Emmanuel Asomba, Denise Bortree, Carol
                             design.                                             Carter, Kathryn Dinh, Christopher Einolf, Sharon
                                  A Technical Advisory Board was actively in-    Eng, Snezana Green, Jürgen Grotz, Celayne
                             volved in identifying the issues addressed in       Healon-Shrestha, Nicole A. Hofmann, Benedict
                             the report and in outlining its content. We         Iheme, Osama Kadi, Alina Meyer, Kimberly
                             thank the Technical Advisory Board mem-             Ochs, René Olate, John Robinson, Sigfrido
                             bers: Jeffrey Brudney, Anabel Cruz, Lev Jakob-      Romeo, Lester Salamon, David H. Smith, Lars
                             son, Amany Kandil, Thierno Kane, Jeni               Svedberg, Rajesh Tandon, Rebecca Tiessen
                             Klugman, Lucas Meijs, Maureen Nakirunda,            and Ying Xu (see Bibliography for a full list of
                             Justin Davis Smith and Rajesh Tandon.               commissioned papers).
                                  The High-Level Advisory Board contributed          In preparation for the SWVR, nine consul-
                             its broader vision and helped to contextualize      tative meetings were held between October
                             the report. We thank the High-Level Advisory        2010 and February 2011 to draw on the ex-
                             Board members for providing invaluable in-          pertise of volunteerism researchers, academ-
                             sights and suggestions. They are: Soukeyna          ics, civil society leaders and development
                             Ndiaye Ba, Liz Burns, Marian Harkin, Bruce          practitioners from around the globe and to dis-
                             Jenks, Rima Khalaf, Bernardo Kliksberg, Justin      cuss issues related to volunteerism. These
                             Koutaba, Miria Matembe, Taimalieutu Kiwi            consultation meetings included a civil socie-
                             Tamasese and Erna Witoelar.                         ty consultation meeting in Germany and sev-

vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS




eral regional consultation meetings covering         ganizations to which we were allowed gen-
Latin America, North America, Western Europe,        erous access. In this context we would like to
Eastern Europe/CIS, Middle East and Northern         thank Richard Harrison, Research Director of
Africa, Francophone Africa, Anglophone Africa        the Charities Aid Foundation in London, and
and the Asia-Pacific region. We thank all par-       Andrew Rzepa of GALLUP for giving us this ac-
ticipants for sharing valuable insights, sug-        cess.
gestions, case studies and their own research             Over the course of the project, a number
findings. We would also like to thank associated     of dedicated interns supported the SWVR
universities and organizations for supporting        team: Collins Fomukong Abie, Abdalhadi Ali-
the participation of their staff in our consul-      jla, Bárbara Bécares Castaño, Bowen Cao,
tation meetings (see the full list of consultation   Piyush Dhawan, Geline Alfred Fuko, Carly
meetings and participants on the following           Garonne, Miles Hookey, Ika RiniIndrawati, Au-
pages).                                              rora Gomez Jimenez, Aivis Klavinskis, Parul Lih-
    UNDP Country Offices in Turkey, Senegal,         la, Amrita Manocha, Evgenia Mitroliou, Hiromi
Kenya, Thailand and Argentina, and the UNV           Morikawa, Victor Bakhoya Nyange, Valentina
Office in New York supported the organization        Primo, Liam Puzzi and Rafael Tahan.
of regional consultation meetings. The                    The report also benefited from the support
Comisión Cascos Blancos (White Helmets               of several online volunteers from around the
Commission) from Argentina and research              globe: Frank Brockmeier, Jorge Carvajal, Audrey
institute TUSSIDE from Turkey gave support to        Desmet, Arit Eminue, Camilla Eriksson, Moni-
the organization of meetings in Buenos Aires         ca Figueroa, Sophie Guo, Carolina Henriques,
and in Istanbul respectively. The multi-re-          Ali Hentati, Jae Hyeon Park, Ahsan Ijaz, Syed
gional consultation meeting in Turkey was            Ijaz, Hussain Shah, Marina Jousse, Wenni Lee,
funded by the European Commission. We are            Natalia Markitan, Leire Martinez Arribas, Lucia
grateful for the financial support.                  Martinkova, Luana Mulugheta, Saki Naga-
    The UNDP Network Groups generated a              mone, Joanna Pilch, Montasir Rahman, Mara
range of useful ideas and examples through           Romiti, Britta Sadoun, Christopher Sam, Divya
online discussions on various topics related to      Sharma, Feiru Tang, Aneliya Valkova and Jen-
volunteerism. The UNDP Network Groups on             nifer Walsh.
Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, HIV/AIDS, En-            APA Journals gave us continuous support
vironment, and Conflict Prevention and Re-           with information on the APA style used in the
covery deserve special mention.                      references of the SWVR.
    The data and statistics used in this report
draw significantly on the databases of other or-     UNV wishes to thank all contributors.




                                                                                                                           vii
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                               Contributions

                               HIGHLEVEL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS                TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
                               (in alphabetical order)                          (in alphabetical order)

                               Soukeyna Ndiaye Ba – Executive Director,         Jeffrey Brudney – Albert A. Levin Chair of
                               International Network of Alternative Financial   Urban Studies and Public Service, Levin College
                               Institutions, Dakar, Senegal                     of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University,
                                                                                United States
                               Elizabeth Burns – Former World President,
                               International Association for Volunteer Effort   Anabel Cruz – Director, Communication and
                               (IAVE), United Kingdom                           Development Institute, Montevideo, Uruguay

                               Marian Harkin – Independent Member of the        Lev Jakobson – First Vice Rector, Higher School
                               European Parliament, Ireland                     of Economics, State University, Moscow, Russia

                               Bruce Jenks – Senior Non-Resident Fellow,        Amany Kandil – Executive Director, The Arab
                               Harvard University, United States                Network for NGOs, Cairo, Egypt

                               Rima Khalaf – Executive Secretary, United        Thierno Kane – Former Director, UNDP Civil
                               Nations Economic and Social Commission for       Society Organizations Division, Dakar, Senegal
                               Western Asia, Beirut, Lebanon
                                                                                Jeni Klugmann – Former Director, UNDP
                               Bernardo Kliksberg – Senior Consultant for       Human Development Reports Office, New York,
                               the Director of the Bureau for Development       United States
                               Policy, UNDP, Argentina
                                                                                Lucas Meijs – Professor, Rotterdam School of
                               Justin Koutaba – Professor of Philosophy,        Management at Erasmus University, Rotterdam,
                               University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso          the Netherlands

                               Miriam Matembe – Founder and Board               Maureen Nakirunda – Research Fellow,
                               Member, Centre for Women in Governance,          Centre for Basic Research, Kampala, Uganda
                               Kampala, Uganda
                                                                                Justin Davis Smith – Chief Executive,
                               Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese – Coordinator of       Volunteering England, London, United Kingdom
                               the Pacific Section, The Family Centre, New
                               Zealand                                          Rajesh Tandon – President, Society for
                                                                                Participatory Research in Asia, New Delhi, India
                               Erna Witoelar – Chair, Asia Pacific
                               Philantrophy Consortium, Indonesia




viii
CONTRIBUTIONS




CONSULTATION MEETINGS                               Eastern Europe/CIS
                                                    Indrė Balčaitė (Analyst, Public Policy and
Multi-Regional Consultation Meeting                 Management Institute, Lithuania); Galina
(Western Europe, Eastern Europe/CIS,                Bodrenkova (Founder and President of
Middle East and Northern Africa), Turkey            Moscow Charity House / National
29-30 October 2010                                  Representative of IAVE in Russia); Astrit Istrefi
                                                    (Project Coordinator, Saferworld, Kosovo
Western Europe                                      (Serbia)); Nikica Kusinikova (Executive Director,
Cliff Allum (Chief Executive Officer, Skillshare    Konekt, the former Yugoslav Republic of
International, United Kingdom); Aurélie             Macedonia); Anna Mazgal (International
Beaujolais (Coordinator, Comité de Liaison des      Officer, National Federation of Polish NGOs,
ONG de Volontariat, France); Rene Bekkers           Poland); Ferdinand Nikolla (Executive Director,
(Associate Professor, Department of                 The Forum for Civic Initiatives, Kosovo
Philanthropic Studies, VU University                (Serbia)); Miroslav Pospisil (Director, Centre for
Amsterdam, NL); Steffen Bethmann                    Nonprofit Sector Research, Czech Republic);
(Researcher, Centre for Philanthropy Studies,       Steve Powell (President and Senior Researcher,
University of Basel, Switzerland); Thilo Boeck      proMente, Bosnia and Herzegovina); Lejla
(Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social          Sehic Relic (Center Manager, Volonterski
Action, De Montfort University, School of           Centar Osijek, Croatia); Kuba Wygnanski
Applied Social Sciences, United Kingdom);           (Expert, KLON/JAWOR Association, Unit for
Angeliki Boura (Special Advisor to the              Social Research and Innovation SHIPYARD,
Secretary General for Youth, General Secretariat    Poland); Igor Germanovich Zakharov
for Youth, Greece); Matthew Hill (Research          (Webmaster Consultant, Sozidanie
Officer, Institute for Volunteering Research,       Foundation, Russian Federation); Elena
United Kingdom); Lesley Hustinx (Assistant          Zakharova (Executive Director, Sozidanie
Professor, Department of Sociology, Ghent           Foundation, Russian Federation).
University, Belgium); Liz Lipscomb (Head of
Research, Charities Aid Foundation, United          Middle East and Northern Africa
Kingdom); Deirdre Murray (Director,                 Hadeel Al-Ali (Director, Syria Youth Commission
Comhlámh, attending on behalf of FORUM,             for Volunteerism, Syria); Khalid S. Al-Ghamdi
Ireland); Colin Rochester (Senior Research          (NPO Technology Consultant and Researcher,
Fellow, Centre for the Study of Voluntary and       MEDAD Center, International Center for
Community Activity, Roehampton University,          Researches & Studies, Saudi Arabia); Rana Al
United Kingdom); Boguslawa Sardinha                 Hariri (Program Assistant, International
(Associate Professor, Escola Superior de            Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Ciências Empresariais, Instituto Politechnico de    Societies, Lebanon); Abdel Rahim Belal
Setubal, Portugal); Lars Svedberg                   (Director, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Sudan);
(Professor/Research Director, Institute for Civil   Farah Cherif D’Ouezzan (Founder of Thaqafat
Society Studies, Ersta Sköndal University           Association, Founder and Director of the
College, Sweden); Agnes Uhereczky (Director,        Center for Cross Cultural Learning, Morocco);
Association of Voluntary Service Organizations,     Hür Güldü (Coordinator, T.R. Prime Ministry
Belgium); Annette Zimmer (Director of Political     State Planning Organization, Centre for EU
Science Institute, University of Münster,           Education and Youth Programmes, National
Germany).                                           Agency, Turkey; Osama Kadi (Co-founder and

                                                                                                                         ix
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                            President, Syrian Centre for Political and             (Coordinator of the Pacific Section, The Family
                            Strategic Studies, United States); Salma Kahale        Centre, New Zealand); Francesco Volpini
                            (Senior Executive Aide, Projects and Initiatives       (Director, Coordinating Committee for
                            Office of the First Lady, Syria); Najwa Kallas         International Voluntary Service, France); Saâd
                            (Program Associate on the Youth Agenda                 Zian (Volunteer Development Director, World
                            Project Office of the First Lady, Syria); Hagai Katz   Organization of the Scout Movement,
                            (Director, Israeli Center for Third Sector Research,   Switzerland).
                            Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel).
                                                                                   North America Regional Consultation
                            Civil Society Consultation Meeting,                    Meeting, United States
                            Germany                                                20-21 November 2010
                            8-9 November 2010                                      Douglas Baer (Professor, Department of
                            Stefan Agerhem (Senior Officer, International          Sociology, University of Victoria, Canada);
                            Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent               Thomasina Borkman (Professor of Sociology
                            Societies/Swedish Red Cross); Ibrahim Betil            Emerita, George Mason University, United
                            (Chairperson, TOG-Community Volunteers,                States); Jeffrey Brudney (Albert A. Levin Chair of
                            Turkey); Elizabeth Burns (Former World                 Urban Studies and Public Service, Levin College
                            President, International Association for               of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University,
                            Volunteer Effort, United Kingdom); Jacqueline          United States); Carol Carter (Principal
                            Butcher-Rivas (Chairperson, CEMEFI, Mexican            Consultant, IVA Consulting, United States); Lilian
                            Center for Philanthropy, Mexico); Mei Cobb             Chatterjee (Director General, Consultations and
                            (Vice President, Volunteer & Employee                  Outreach, Strategic Policy and Performance
                            Engagement, United Way Worldwide, United               Branch, Canadian International Development
                            States); Kate Cotton (National Volunteering            Agency, Canada); Ernest Gilmer Clary (Professor,
                            Team Manager, Voluntary Service Overseas,              Department of Psychology, College of St.
                            UK); Philippe Fragnier (Knowledge                      Catherine, United States); Ram A. Cnaan
                            Management Unit of the Uniterra Volunteer              (President ARNOVA, Professor and Senior
                            Program, CECI and WUSC, Canada); Tuesday               Associate Dean, University of Pennsylvania,
                            Gichuki (Executive Director, NAVNET, Kenya);           United States); Kathleen Dennis (Executive
                            Rosemary Hindle (Development Executive -               Director, International Association for Volunteer
                            External Relations, World Association of Girl          Effort, United States); Christopher J. Einolf
                            Guides and Girl Scouts, Belgium); Jeffery              (Assistant Professor, School of Public Service,
                            Huffines (United Nations Representative,               DePaul University, United States); Susan J. Ellis
                            CIVICUS, United States); Viola Krebs (Founder &        (President, Energize, Inc., United States); Barney
                            Executive Director, ICVolunteers, Switzerland);        Ellis-Perry (Strategic Advisor, Volunteer
                            Eva Mysliwiec (Founder & Executive Director,           Vancouver / Strategic External Relations Officer,
                            Youth Star Cambodia); Mike Naftali (Founder            University of British Columbia, Canada); Megan
                            and Chairperson, Brit Olam (International              Haddock (International Research Projects
                            Volunteering and Development / National                Coordinator, Center for Civil Society Studies,
                            Council for Voluntarism, Israel); Kumi Naidoo          Johns Hopkins University, United States);
                            (Executive Director, Greenpeace International,         Michael H. Hall (Principal, Social Impact
                            the Netherlands); Cary Pedicini (Chief                 Strategies, Canada); Femida Handy (Professor,
                            Executive Officer, Volunteering Australia,             School of Social Policy and Practice, University of
                            Australia); Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese                  Pennsylvania, United States); David Lasby

x
CONTRIBUTIONS




(Senior Research Associate, Imagine Canada,            Africa, Project OSC/PNUD, Benin); Kossi Ayeh
Canada); Nancy Macduff (Trainer and                    (Secretary-General, Frères Agriculteurs et
Consultant, Macduff/Bunt Associates, Faculty,          Artisans pour le Développement, Togo); Thierno
Portland State University, United States); Julie       Kane, former Director, UNDP Division Civil
Fisher Melton (Associate, Retired Program              Society, and Member, Technical Advisory Board
Officer, Kettering Foundation, United States);         UNV/SWVR, Senegal); Flavien Munzuluba Kinier
Brandee Menoher (Director                              (National Volunteering Secretariat, Ministry of
Evaluation/Performance Measurement, Points of          Planning, Democratic Republic of the Congo);
Light Institute, United States); Rick Montpelier       Zélia Leite Rodrigues (Director, National
(Operations and Program Specialist, Peace              Programme of Volunteering, Cape Verde);
Corps, United States); Danny Pelletier (Programs       Ibrahim Patingde Alassane Ouedraogo,
and Partnership Director, CUSO-VSO, Canada);           Directeur-General, National Volunteering
Victor Pestoff (Guest Professor, Institute for Civil   Programme, Burkina Faso); Benoit Ouoba
Society Studies, Ersta Skondal University              (Executive Secretary, Tin Tua, Burkina Faso);
College, Sweden); Jack Quarter (Professor and          Rodolphe Soh (Director of Social Protection for
Director, Social Economy Centre, University of         Persons with Handicaps and Older People,
Toronto, Canada); David Ray (Chief Strategy and        Ministry of Social Affairs, Cameroon); Saadé
Public Policy Officer, Points of Light Institute,      Souleye (former Minister for Regional
United States); Sarah Jane Rehnborg (Associate         Development Planning and Community
Director for Planning and Development, RGK             Development, Niger); Papa Birama Thiam,
Center for Philanthropy and Community Service,         Director, L’Assistance Technique, Senegal).
LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas,
United States); Lester Salamon (Director, Center       Anglophone Africa Regional Consultation
for Civil Society Studies, The Johns Hopkins           Meeting, Kenya
University, United States); Sarah Saso (Director,      17-18 January 2011
Community Relations, Manulife Financial                Raymonde Agossou (Head of Division of HR &
Corporation, Canada); Elizabeth Specht                 Youth Development, African Union Commission,
(Executive Director, Volunteer Richmond,               Ethiopia); Fatma Alloo (Founder, Tanzania Media
Canada); Robert A. Stebbins (Faculty Professor,        Women’s Association, Tanzania); Salmina E. Jobe
Department of Sociology, University of Calgary,        (National Coordinator, National Volunteer
Canada); Richard A. Sundeen (Emeritus                  Service Centre Project, the Gambia); Eve
Professor, School of Policy, Planning and              Lwembe-Mungai (Volunteering Development
Development, University of Southern California,        Advisor, VSO Jitolee, Kenya); Winnie Mitullah
United States); John Wilson (Emeritus Professor,       (Associate Research Professor, University of
Department of Sociology, Duke University,              Nairobi, Kenya); Esther Mwaura-Muiru (National
United States).                                        Coordinator, GROOTS Kenya, Kenya); Dieudonné
                                                       Nikiema (Capacity Building Specialist, ECOWAS
Francophone Africa Regional Consultation               Commission, Nigeria); Frances Birungi Odong
Meeting, Senegal                                       (Director of Programs, UCOBAC, Uganda);
7-8 January 2011                                       Morena J. Rankopo (Lecturer, MSW Coordinator,
Ibrahim Ag Nock (National Coordinator,                 University of Botswana, Botswana); Murindwa
National Centre for the Promotion of National          Rutanga (Professor, Makerere University /
Volunteering for Peace and Development, Mali);         CODESRIA Representative, Uganda); Joyce
Gustave Assah (President, Civic Commission for         Shaidi (Director, Department of Youth

                                                                                                                         xi
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                              Development, Ministry of Information, Youth,      Latin America Regional Consultation
                              Culture and Sports, Tanzania); Benon Webare       Meeting, Argentina
                              (Consultant, Professional Development             8-9 February 2011
                              Consultants International, Uganda); Susan         Bruno Ayres (Director, Redes V2V, Brazil);
                              Wilkinson-Maposa (Consultant, South Africa).      Analía Bettoni Schafer (Project Area
                                                                                Coordinator, Institute of Communication and
                              Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation Meeting,       Development, Uruguay); Fernanda
                              Thailand                                          Bornhausen Sá (President, Action
                              31 January – 1 February 2011                      Volunteerism Institute, Brazil); Jacqueline
                              Vinya Ariyaratne (General Secretary,              Butcher-Rivas (Board Member, CEMEFI,
                              Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri                Mexico); Laura Carizzoni (Assistant, White
                              Lanka); Tim Burns (Executive Director,            Helmets Commission, Argentina); Geovanna
                              Volunteering New Zealand, New Zealand);           Collaguazo (Volunteerism and Youth National
                              Kin-Man Chan (Director of Centre for Civil        Coordinator, Red Cross Ecuador); Gabriel
                              Society Studies / Associate Professor of          Marcelo Fuks (President, White Helmets
                              Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong         Commission, Argentina); Marcela Jiménez de
                              Kong, China); Kathryn Dinh (International         la Jara (Senior Fellow, Center for Civil Society
                              Development Consultant, Australia);               Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, United
                              Yashavantha Dongre (Professor, Coordinator        States); Mariana Lomé (Coordinator, Graduate
                              Project on Nonprofit Sector, University of        Program on Nonprofit Organizations,
                              Mysore, India); Debbie Haski-Leventhal            University of San Andrés, CEDES, Argentina);
                              (Senior Lecturer, Macquarie Graduate School       Raúl Edgardo Martínez Amador (Major,
                              of Management, Macquarie University,              Volunteer Fire Brigade, Central District
                              Australia); Chulhee Kang (Professor, School of    Comayaguela, Honduras); Carolina Munín
                              Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Republic of    (Assistant, White Helmets Commission,
                              Korea); Kang-Hyun Lee (President,                 Argentina); Marta Muñoz Cárdenas (Deputy
                              International Association for Volunteer Effort,   Director, Christian Youth Association,
                              Republic of Korea); Corazon Macaraig (Chief       Colombian NGO Confederation, Colombia);
                              Volunteer Service Officer, Philippine National    Juan Carlos Nadalich (Technical Coordinator,
                              Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency,            National Council for the Coordination of
                              Philippines); Phra Win Mektripop (Committee,      Social Policies, Argentina); René Olate
                              Volunteer Spirit Network, Thailand); Malanon      (Researcher, College of Social Work, Ohio
                              Nuntinee (Secretariat, Volunteer Center,          State University, United States); Felipe
                              Thammasat University, Thailand); Pooran           Portocarrero (Chancellor, University of the
                              Chandra Pandey (Director, Times                   Pacific, Peru); Mario Roitter (Researcher, State
                              Foundation,Times Group, India); Rajesh            and Society Research Centre, Argentina);
                              Tandon (President, Society for Participatory      Javiera Serani (Regional Director for Mexico
                              Research in Asia, India); Erna Witoelar (Chair,   and the Caribbean, A Roof for my Country
                              Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium,             Foundation, Chile); Cecilia Ugaz (Deputy
                              Indonesia); Naoto Yamauchi (Professor of          Resident Representative, United Nations
                              Public Economics, Osaka School of                 Development Programme, Argentina); Carlos
                              International Public Policy, Osaka University,    Eduardo Zaballa (UNV Coordinator, White
                              Japan); Zhibin Zhang (Assistant Professor,        Helmets Commission, Argentina).
                              Nanyang Technological University, Singapore).

xii
ACRONYMS




Acronyms

BwB        Bankers without Borders           IFAD      International Fund for
CEPAL      La Comisión Económica para                  Agricultural Development
           América Latina y el Caribe        IFRC      International Federation of
CHW        Community Health Worker                     Red Cross and Red Crescent
CIS        Commonwealth of                             Societies
           Independent States                IKS       Indigenous Knowledge
CNP        The Johns Hopkins                           System
           Comparative Nonprofit             ILO       International Labour
           Sector Project                              Organization
CSI        Civil Society Index               IOM       International Organization
CSO        Civil Society Organization                  for Migration
CSR        Corporate Social                  ISO       International Organization
           Responsibility                              for Standardization
CUSO       Canadian University Service       ITU       International
           Overseas                                    Telecommunication Union
DFID       Department for International      IVS       International Volunteer
           Development (United                         Service
           Kingdom)                          IYV       International Year of
DRR        Disaster Risk Reduction                     Volunteers
EAC-EA     The Education, Audiovisual        MARWOPNET Mano River Women’s Peace
           and Culture Executive                       Network
           Agency                            MDGs      Millennium Development
ECOWAS     Economic Community of                       Goals
           West African States               MRU       Mano River Union
EU         European Union                    NGO       Non-Governmental
EVP        Employee Volunteer Program                  Organization
FBO        Faith-Based Organization          NSDP      National Strategic
FOCSIV     Federazione Organismi                       Development Plan
           Cristiani Servizio                NVM       National Volunteer
           Internazionale Volontario                   Movement
GDP        Gross Domestic Product            OECD      Organization for Economic
GWP        The Gallup World Poll                       Co-operation and
HDR        Human Development Report                    Development
HIV/AIDS   Human Immunodeficiency            SADNET    The Southern Africa Drought
           Virus/Acquired Immuno-                      Technology Network
           Deficiency Syndrome               SIF       Singapore International
IAVE       International Association for               Foundation
           Volunteer Effort                  SMS       Short Message Service
ICNL       International Center for Not-     SWVR      State of World’s Volunteerism
           for-Profit Law                              Report
ICNPO      International Classification of   TICA      Thailand’s International
           Nonprofit Organizations                     Development Cooperation
ICT        Information and                             Agency
           Communications Technology         UN        United Nations

                                                                                                  xiii
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                              UNCCD          United Nations Convention     UN IANWGE United Nations Inter-Agency
                                             to Combat Desertification               Network on Women and
                              UNCDF          United Nations Capital                  Gender Equality
                                             Development Fund              UNICEF    United Nations Children’s
                              UNDESA         United Nations Department               Fund
                                             of Economic and Social        UNISDR    United Nations International
                                             Affairs                                 Strategy for Disaster
                              UNDP           United Nations Development              Reduction
                                             Programme                     UNSC      United Nations Security
                              UNEP           United Nations Environment              Council
                                             Programme                     UNV       United Nations Volunteers
                              UNESCO         United Nations Educational,   UPS       United Parcel Service
                                             Scientific and Cultural       USAID     United States Agency for
                                             Organization                            International Development
                              UNGC           United Nations Global         VSO       Voluntary Services Overseas
                                             Compact                       WANEP     West Africa Network for
                              UNGA           United Nations General                  Peacebuilding
                                             Assembly                      WHO       World Health Organization




xiv
CONTENTS




Contents


STATE OF THE WORLD'S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT TEAM                                    iii

FOREWORD by the Administrator, UNDP                                              iv

PREFACE by the Executive Coordinator, UNV                                         v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS                                                                 vi

CONTRIBUTIONS                                                                   viii

ACRONYMS                                                                        xiii

CONTENTS                                                                         xv

OVERVIEW                                                                         xix
  Volunteerism in the world today                                               xxii
  New faces of volunteerism                                                     xxii
  Volunteerism and the development paradigm                                     xxii

CHAPTER 1 . Volunteerism is universal                                             1
  Volunteerism and traditional values                                             2
  Volunteerism flying under the radar                                             3
  What is volunteerism?                                                           3
  How is volunteerism expressed?                                                  5
  Common misperceptions about volunteerism                                        8
  Conclusions and discussions                                                    12

CHAPTER 2 . Taking the measure of volunteering                                   13
  Why take the measure of volunteerism?                                          14
  Diverse measures of volunteering                                               15
  National volunteer studies                                                     17
  Pursuing a global measure: highlighting international measuring initiatives    18
    European Commission Study                                                    18
    The Gallup World Poll (GWP)                                                  19
    World Values Survey (WVS)                                                    20
    The Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project (CNP)                 20
    CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI)                                            20
  The Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work                                22
  Conclusions and discussions                                                    23




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STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                              CHAPTER 3 . Volunteerism in the twenty-first century         25
                                Introduction                                               26
                                Volunteerism and technology                                26
                                  Volunteerism and mobile communication technologies       26
                                  Volunteerism and the Internet                            27
                                International volunteerism                                 29
                                Volunteerism and the private sector                        33
                                Conclusions and discussions                                36

                              CHAPTER 4 . Sustainable livelihoods                          39
                                Introduction                                               40
                                What are sustainable livelihoods?                          40
                                Volunteerism and social capital                            41
                                Volunteerism and human capital                             42
                                Volunteerism and natural capital                           45
                                Volunteerism and physical capital                          46
                                Volunteerism and financial assets                          47
                                Volunteerism and political assets                          48
                                Conclusions and discussions                                49

                              CHAPTER 5 . Volunteering as a force for social inclusion     51
                                What is social inclusion?                                  52
                                The levels of social inclusion                             53
                                Social inclusion of groups through volunteerism            54
                                  Women                                                    54
                                  Young people                                             56
                                  Older persons                                            58
                                  People with disabilities                                 58
                                  Migrants                                                 59
                                  People living with HIV/AIDS                              60
                                Conclusions and discussions                                61

                              CHAPTER 6 . Volunteerism, cohesion and conflict management   63
                                Introduction                                               64
                                Social cohesion and violent conflict                       64
                                Volunteerism in the prevention of conflict                 65
                                Volunteerism during conflict                               66
                                Volunteerism in the aftermath of conflict                  67
                                Volunteerism and the promotion of peace                    68
                                  Women                                                    68
                                  Young people                                             69
                                Conclusions and discussions                                71




xvi
CONTENTS




CHAPTER 7 . Volunteerism and disasters                                      73
  Introduction                                                              74
  Disasters and development                                                 74
  Multiple roles of volunteerism in disasters                               74
    Before a disaster                                                       74
    Prevention and mitigation of disasters                                  74
    Preparing for disasters                                                 76
    Responding to disasters                                                 77
  Volunteerism and recovery                                                 80
  Conclusions and discussions                                               81

CHAPTER 8 . Volunteering and well-being                                     83
  Introduction                                                              84
  Volunteering and individual well-being                                    86
  Volunteering and community well-being                                     86
  Well-being and policy                                                     88
  Conclusions and discussions                                               89

CONCLUSION . The way forward                                                91
  Introduction                                                              92
  The time is right                                                         93

NOTES                                                                       95

REFERENCES                                                                  99

BOXES
  O.1   Volunteerism as a valuable component of development plans            xx
  O.2   Volunteerism as an anchor in the face of global changes             xxi
  1.1   Traditional forms of volunteerism                                     2
  1.2   Volunteers in weather forecasts                                       3
  1.3   Teaching the poor in India                                            5
  1.4   Farmers’ cooperatives help Zambian farmers survive and thrive         6
  1.5   Arab spring – Egypt in Colors                                         7
  1.6   Public and community partnership against poverty and tuberculosis     9
  1.7   African philanthropy – a strong tradition                             9
  1.8   From house building to active citizenship                           10
  1.9   Promoting laws and policies that support volunteerism               11
  2.1   Volunteer values                                                    14
  2.2   Using community calendars to measure the value of volunteering      15
  2.3   Beyond the economic value                                           16
  2.4   African Union youth volunteers                                      16
  2.5   First-ever volunteerism survey in Bangladesh                        17
  2.6   From house building to active citizenship                           22
  2.7   Best Practices in the measurement of volunteering                   22
  3.1   Election monitoring through SMS                                     27
  3.2   Online volunteering                                                 28


                                                                                             xvii
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                                   3.3 Open-source online volunteering                              29
                                   3.4 Kraft Foods Micro-Volunteering                               29
                                   3.5 Friends from Thailand in Bhutan                              30
                                   3.6 JICA Senior Volunteers                                       31
                                   3.7 The Ethiopian Diaspora Volunteer Programme                   32
                                   3.8 Need for values and principles in business                   34
                                   3.9 Employee volunteering and the MDGs                           34
                                   3.10 Corporate volunteering                                      35
                                   3.11 Bankers without Borders                                     36
                                   3.12 Bringing together people and causes                         37
                                   4.1 Cambodian taxi drivers help fight malaria                    43
                                   4.2 Education for building human capital                         44
                                   4.3 The Tongan giant clam sanctuaries                            45
                                   4.4 Community volunteers taking the lead                         47
                                   4.5 Cross-border volunteering in Mexican Hometown Associations   48
                                   4.6 Volunteering for gender equity in Latin America              49
                                   5.1 Volunteerism is a social behaviour                           52
                                   5.2 Retired and engaged                                          53
                                   5.3 Traditional help in Brazil – mutirão                         54
                                   5.4 Political participation of indigenous people                 55
                                   5.5 Maasai Pastoral Women’s Council                              56
                                   5.6 Increasing youth employability in Bosnia and Herzegovina     57
                                   5.7 Have wheels – will volunteer                                 59
                                   5.8 Immigrant volunteering: New Zealand                          60
                                   5.9 Talking Positive about HIV: China                            60
                                   6.1 Creating bridges across ethnic borders                       66
                                   6.2 Muslim Volunteering Organization in the Philippines          67
                                   6.3 Community volunteering for peace                             68
                                   6.4 Women struggle to be heard                                   69
                                   6.5 Youth promote post-conflict recovery in Liberia              70
                                   7.1 Good practices for community resilience                      74
                                   7.2 Volunteer early warning to save lives                        76
                                   7.3 Christchurch earthquake: volunteers of all types             78
                                   7.4 Early response in Haiti                                      80
                                   7.5 Disaster recovery and the gotong royong spirit               81
                                   8.1 Gross National Happiness in Bhutan                           85
                                   8.2 Volunteering and individual well-being                       86
                                   8.3 Well-being through volunteering in Brazil                    87
                                   8.4 Living well                                                  88
                                   C.1 Recognizing the contribution of volunteerism                 93

                                FIGURES
                                   FIGURE 2.1 If volunteers were a nation                           20
                                   FIGURE 2.2 Value of volunteer work as share of GDP               21
                                   FIGURE 2.3 CIVICUS Civil Society Diamond                         21




xviii
OVERVIEW




     Overview
People are the real wealth of a nation.
         UNDP Human Development Report (1990)




                                                xix
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                                Volunteerism is a basic expression of human         tional Year of Volunteers (IYV), the phenom-
                                relationships. It is about people’s need to         enon is still misconstrued and undervalued. All
                                participate in their societies and to feel that     too often, the strong links are overlooked
                                they matter to others. We strongly believe          between volunteer activity on the one hand
                                that the social relationships intrinsic to volun-   and peace and human development on the
                                teer work are critical to individual and            other. It is time for the contribution of volun-
                                community well-being. The ethos of volun-           teerism to the quality of life, and to well-being
                                teerism is infused with values including soli-      in a wider sense, to be understood as one of the
                                darity, reciprocity, mutual trust, belonging        missing components of a development para-
                                and empowerment, all of which contribute            digm that still has economic growth at its core.
                                significantly to quality of life.                   However, as the first UNDP Human Develop-
                                                                                    ment Report noted, people are the real wealth
                                People the world over engage in volunteerism        of a nation. Development is about expanding
                                for a great variety of reasons: to help to elimi-   the choices available to people so that they may
                                nate poverty and to improve basic health and        lead lives that they value. Economic growth is
                                education, to provide a safe water supply and       only one means of increasing people’s choices.1
                                adequate sanitation, to tackle environmental
                                issues and climate change, to reduce the risk       Alongside criteria such as health and educa-
                                of disasters and to combat social exclusion         tion, another element has been added to
                                and violent conflict. In all of these fields,       human development: the freedom of people
                                volunteerism contributes to peace and devel-        to use their knowledge and talents to shape
                                opment by generating well-being for people          their own destinies. This expanded definition
                                and their communities. Volunteerism also            of development has informed 20 years of
                                forms the backbone of many national and             global Human Development Reports (HDR)
                                international non-governmental organiza-            and over 600 national HDRs. This first United
                                tions and other civil society organizations as      Nations State of the World’s Volunteerism
                                well as social and political movements. It is       Report emphasizes how volunteerism is a
                                present in the public sector and is increasingly    means by which people can take control of
                                a feature of the private sector.                    their lives and make a difference to them-
                                                                                    selves and to those around them.
                                While recognition of volunteerism has been
                                growing in recent times, especially since the       Volunteerism is a sphere of human endeavour
                                United Nations proclaimed 2001 the Interna-         of which the significance has not been fully
                                                                                    understood and articulated in the develop-
       BOX O.1 : Volunteerism as a valuable component of                            ment debate, particularly in the context of the
                development plans                                                   Millennium Development Goals. This is not to
                                                                                    deny that considerable progress has been
       Extend the notion of volunteerism as an additional valuable compo-
                                                                                    achieved since IYV, especially in the developing
       nent of national development planning to development coopera-
                                                                                    world, in responding to the four major themes
       tion policy. Recognizing and building strategically on rich, local
                                                                                    identified for the year, namely greater recogni-
       traditions of voluntary self-help and mutual aid can open the way to         tion, facilitation, networking and promotion of
       building up a new constituency in support of development efforts.            volunteerism. Governments have developed
       Forging a link in the mind of the general public in countries                an extensive list of recommendations for
       providing development assistance between domestic volunteering               actions to support volunteerism. These are
       in those countries and volunteering in countries receiving assistance        contained in United Nations General Assembly
       can also help enlist public support for development cooperation.4            Resolution 56/38 adopted in 2001 and have
                                                                                    been supplemented by subsequent resolu-
       Source: UNGA. (2002b).
                                                                                    tions from the United Nations General

xx
OVERVIEW




Assembly.2 These recommendations are also              BOX O.2 :Volunteerism as an anchor in the face of global changes
emphasized in successive reports of the United
Nations Secretary-General.3                            “People often feel powerless in the face of globalization; like flotsam
                                                       and jetsam on the waves with no stable anchor. Volunteerism can be
The timing of this report, a decade after IYV, is      an anchor for people as they effect change in their own community of
crucial as it coincides with an intense debate         place.”
about the type of societies that we wish to
see, for ourselves and for future generations.         Source: Maria Harkin, [Member of the European Parliament, UNV High-Level
                                                       Advisory Board]. (2011).6
Globalization is rapidly transforming cultural
and social norms, bringing benefits to some
but exclusion and marginalization to others.         This report does not intend to duplicate the
Many people feel a loss of control over their        existing body of scholarly work on volun-
lives.5 Volunteerism is one way for people to        teerism (see bibliography). Instead, we present
engage in the life of their communities and          a vision of volunteerism and examine how it
societies. In doing so, they acquire a sense of      relates to some of the principal peace and
belonging and inclusion and they are able to         development challenges of our times. The
influence the direction of their lives.              examples cited are predominantly from devel-
                                                     oping countries, thus correcting a pronounced
At no point in history has the potential been        imbalance in scholarship to date. However, the
greater for people to be primary actors,             SWVR is intended to be global in application.
rather than passive bystanders, in their
communities, to affect the course of events          The groundbreaking resolution 56/38 of the
that shape their destiny. In Latin America in        United Nations General Assembly contains
the 1980s, in Eastern Europe in the 1990s and,       explicit recommendations on ways in which
most recently, in the Arab world, aided by the       governments and the United Nations system
rapid expansion of digital communications,           can support volunteering.7 Among the key
people have articulated their desire for             considerations were:
participatory democratic processes through
volunteer-based campaigning and activism.            I Neglecting to factor volunteering into the
                                                       design and implementation of policies
Volunteerism needs to be brought to the fore in        could entail the risk of overlooking a valu-
the development discourse at global, regional          able asset and undermine traditions of co-
and country levels. Interest in many aspects of        operation that bind communities together.8
volunteerism has grown considerably in recent
years. This is evident from the burgeoning           I There is not one universal model of best
academic work on the topic, the diverse forums         practice, since what works well in one
for discussing volunteerism and the consider-          country may not work in another with very
able media coverage, especially in connection          different cultures and traditions.9
with natural disasters and major sporting events
such as the Olympic Games and the football           I Support for voluntary activities does not
World Cup. There are also increasing signs of          imply support for government downsizing
government support for volunteerism as a form          or for replacing paid employment.10
of civic engagement, not only to enhance
delivery of services but also to promote the
values that underpin social cohesion and
harmony. While this interest in volunteerism did
not begin with IYV in 2001, many new volun-
teer-related initiatives can be traced back to it.

                                                                                                                                         xxi
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                               VOLUNTEERISM IN THE WORLD TODAY                    service. Membership of virtual, Internet-
                                                                                  based communities can also engender feel-
                               An ethic of volunteerism exists in every           ings of belonging and well-being.
                               society in the world, albeit in different forms.
                               Since 2001, wide-ranging research has added        While international volunteering is not new, it
                               greatly to our understanding of the phenom-        has manifested itself in new forms and has
                               enon. Nevertheless, fundamental mispercep-         taken on new dimensions in an age of glob-
                               tions remain widespread in the Western             alization. “Voluntourism” or student “gap-
                               world and beyond as to its nature and contri-      year” volunteerism, often undertaken for
                               butions. There is no agreed methodology for        short periods, are new manifestations and
                               measuring the extent of voluntary engage-          their impact is open to question. Corpora-
                               ment. However, most studies attest to the          tions, NGOs, universities and faith-based
                               universality of volunteerism, its universal        organizations have become increasingly
                               spread, massive scale and impact.                  engaged in facilitating internationally based
                                                                                  volunteer placements. Furthermore, there is
                               NEW FACES OF VOLUNTEERISM                          diaspora volunteerism in which experts from
                                                                                  emigrant communities undertake short-term
                               Opportunities for people to engage in volun-       assignments to transfer knowledge to their
                               teer action have been expanding in recent          countries of origin.
        Fundamental            years as a result of factors such as globaliza-
       misperceptions          tion, the spread of new technologies and           Another relatively new phenomenon is
            remain             initiatives associated with corporate social       involvement of the private sector. Today,
        widespread in          responsibility from the private sector. The        roughly one in three large companies offers
         the Western           advent of mobile communication technolo-           some type of employer-supported volun-
          world and            gies and online volunteering, for example,         teerism. There is a growing trend of long-
        beyond as to           has enabled many more people to participate        term collaboration between private sector
       the nature and          for the first time. Mass short message service     enterprises and local NGOs.
        contributions          (SMS) communication is one form of “micro-
       of volunteerism         volunteerism” that contributes to the produc-      VOLUNTEERISM AND THE
                               tion and sharing of information. It is             DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM
                               frequently used by people to raise awareness,
                               inform choices and monitor public services.        The contribution of volunteerism to develop-
                                                                                  ment is particularly striking in the context of
                               Online volunteering, i.e. volunteer work done      sustainable livelihoods and value-based
                               via the Internet, has eliminated the need for      notions of well-being. Contrary to common
                               volunteerism to be tied to specific times and      perceptions, the income poor are as likely to
                               locations, thus greatly increasing the freedom     volunteer as those who are not poor. In doing
                               and flexibility of volunteer engagement. The       so they realize their assets, which include
                               sharing of information through social net-         knowledge, skills and social networks, for the
                               working sites such as Twitter, Facebook and        benefit of themselves, their families and their
                               Orkut has helped people to organize around         communities. The values of volunteerism are
                               issues ranging from the environment to             extremely relevant in strengthening the
                               democratic change, most recently in some           capacity of the most vulnerable to achieve
                               Arab states. The Internet facilitates volun-       secure livelihoods and to enhance their phys-
                               teerism by matching the interests of people        ical, economic, spiritual and social well-being.
                               who seek to volunteer with the needs of host       Moreover, volunteering can reduce the social
                               organizations, through programmes such as          exclusion that is often the result of poverty,
                               the UN Volunteers Online Volunteering              marginalization and other forms of inequality.

xxii
OVERVIEW




Volunteerism is one path to inclusion among        highly effective and practical means of
population groups that are often excluded          building on people’s capabilities in all soci-
such as women, young and older people,             eties and at all levels. It also provides a
people with disabilities, migrants and people      channel through which these capabilities
living with HIV/AIDS.                              may enhance the well-being of individuals,
                                                   communities and nations.
There is mounting evidence that volunteer
engagement promotes the civic values and           In order to meet international development
social cohesion which mitigate violent             targets, such as the Millennium Development
conflict at all stages and that it even fosters    Goals, the voluntary efforts of countless
reconciliation in post-conflict situations. By     millions of ordinary citizens are needed to
contributing to building trust, volunteer          bolster the efforts of governments and inter-
action diminishes the tensions that give rise      national actors.12
to conflict and can also contribute to conflict
resolution. It can also create common              We want to bring about a greater recognition
purpose in the aftermath of war. Indeed,           of the rich and manifold expressions of volun-
people bound together through active               teerism as a powerful force for progress. We
participation and cooperation at local level       truly believe that volunteerism goes far
are in a better position to resolve differences    beyond merely completing a given task. It
in non-confrontational ways.                       creates and sustains bonds of trust, societal
                                                                                                      The values
                                                   cohesion, and helps to forge a common              inherent in
Volunteer action in the context of natural         sense of identity and destiny. Volunteer         volunteerism
disasters has long been one of the most            action by which people unite in shared           endow it with
visible manifestations of volunteerism. It is      endeavours towards a common purpose is a          far-reaching
also one of the clearest expressions of the        feature of most societies. As such, it touches   potential for
human values underpinning the drive to care        the lives of vast numbers of people all over         human
for others. Despite the tendency of the media      the world.                                       development
to focus on international volunteers, neigh-
bours and local residents are often the first to   The SWVR is both a description and a cele-
respond. The role of volunteerism in this field    bration of the positive impact of volun-
has become even more prominent as the              teerism, especially on the large numbers of
incidence of disasters increases owing to          people experiencing income poverty, inse-
climate change, rapid urbanization and other       curity and exclusion. We hope to awaken an
factors. There is growing international aware-     interest in volunteerism beyond the practi-
ness that nations and communities can and          tioners and scholars already engaged in the
should build resilience to disasters through a     subject. We want to inform future policy
“bottom-up” process in the form of volunteer       debates on peace, development and well-
initiatives rooted in the community. Indeed,       being that will lead policymakers to take into
the 2005 World Conference on Disaster              account this massive but largely invisible and
Reduction declared that the most effective         untapped resource.
resources for reducing vulnerability are local
community self-help, local organizations and       A central thesis running through this report
local networks. “Putting people at the centre      is that the values inherent in volunteerism
of development is much more than an intel-         endow it with far-reaching potential for
lectual exercise”, notes the HDR 2010. “It         human development. This notion of devel-
means making progress equitable and broad-         opment includes factors such as solidarity,
based, enabling people to be active partici-       social inclusion, empowerment, life satisfac-
pants in change”.11 Volunteerism can be a          tion and individual and societal well-being.

                                                                                                                      xxiii
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                               The well-being of individuals is intrinsically   universal renewable resource and a vital
                               linked to their contributions to the lives of    component of the social capital of every
                               others.                                          nation. It has a huge potential to make a real
                                                                                difference in responding to many of the most
                               These values have long been close to the         pressing global concerns. We expect this
                               work of the United Nations. Yet, despite all     report to contribute to a better appreciation
                               that it offers, volunteerism remains largely     of this potential and to encourage greater
                               absent from the peace and development            strategic thinking and action to incorporate
                               agenda. This must change. Volunteerism           volunteerism into mainstream policies and
                               should be recognized as a powerful and           programmes for peace and development.




xxiv
VOLUNTEERISM IS UNIVERSAL




                                                       CHAPTER 1


        Volunteerism
          is universal
Volunteering is an expression of the individual’s involvement
  in their community. Participation, trust, solidarity and reci-
 procity, grounded in a shared understanding and a sense of
 common obligations, are mutually reinforcing values at the
   heart of governance and good citizenship. Volunteering is
   not a nostalgic relic of the past. It is our first line of defence
    against social atomisation in a globalising world. Today,
      maybe more than ever before, caring and sharing are a
                                 necessity, not a charitable act.
                                               UNV (2000, November)




                                                                        1
STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011




                                       VOLUNTEERISM AND TRADITIONAL                                      education, housing and environmental
                                       VALUES                                                            programmes and a range of other civil society,
                                                                                                         public and private sector programmes world-
                                       Volunteerism is one of the most basic of                          wide. It is an integral part of every society.
                                       expressions of human behaviour and arises
                                       out of long-established ancient traditions of                     At the heart of this report are values. Deeply
                                       sharing and reciprocal exchanges. At its core                     ingrained in many communities around the
                                       are relationships and their potential to                          world are systems characterized by solidarity,
                                       enhance the well-being of individuals and                         compassion, empathy and respect for others,
                                       communities. Social cohesion and trust, for                       often expressed through the giving of one’s
                                       example, thrive where volunteerism is preva-                      time. Volunteering also expresses the desire
                                       lent. Volunteerism is not only the backbone                       to act on one’s feelings about justice and fair-
                                       of civil society organizations and social and                     ness in the face of inequality and to foster
                                       political movements, but also of many health,                     social harmony based on a shared interest in
                                                                                                         the well-being of one’s community. In most
      BOX 1.1 : Traditional forms of volunteerism                                                        languages, there are words to express the
                                                                                                         concept of volunteerism. Often inspired by
      In many countries, volunteerism is deeply rooted in traditional
                                                                                                         indigenous traditions, they describe the prin-
      beliefs and community practices. In Norway, for instance, the term
                                                                                                         cipal ways by which people collectively apply
      Dugnad describes collective voluntary work: a traditional scheme
                                                                                                         their energy, talents, knowledge and other
      of cooperation within a social group such as family, neighbour-
                                                                                                         resources for mutual benefit. The act of
      hood, community, geographical area, professional sector or nation.
                                                                                                         volunteering is well known throughout the
      An example is outdoor spring cleaning in urban areas. Dugnad is
                                                                                                         world, even if the word as such is not.
      about contributing time or money. It is also about creating a sense
      of community and building relationships between neighbours and
                                                                                                         For example, elements of the philosophy of
      community members.
                                                                                                         Ubuntu, common throughout southern
                                                                                                         Africa, are found in many traditions around
      In the Arab world, volunteerism has been associated with helping
                                                                                                         the world.1 Ubuntu values the act of caring for
      people in celebrations or at difficult times and is considered as a
                                                                                                         one another´s well-being in a spirit of mutual
      religious duty and charitable work. Volunteerism in Arabic is
                                                                                                         support. It is based on recognition of human
      (tatawa’a) (‫ )عوطت‬which means donating something. It also means
                                                                                                         worth, communal relationships, human
      to commit to a charitable activity that is not a religious require-
                                                                                                         values and respect for the natural environ-
      ment. It originates from the word (al-taw’a) (‫ )عوطلا‬which means
                                                                                                         ment and its resources.2 As an official South
      compliance, smoothness and flexibility. The concept is taking new
                                                                                                         African government paper explains it: “Each
      forms as a result of modernization and the development of
                                                                                                         individual’s humanity is ideally expressed
      governmental and non-governmental institutions.
                                                                                                         through his or her relationship with others.
      In southern Africa, the concept of Ubuntu defines the individual in                                Ubuntu means that people are people
      relation to others. In Nelson Mandela’s words: “A traveller through a                              through other people. It also acknowledges
      country would stop at a village and he didn’t have to ask for food or for                          both the rights and the responsibilities of
      water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is                             every citizen in promoting individual and
      one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not                            societal well-being.”3
      mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore
      is: are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you
      to be able to improve?”

      Sources: Haugestad. (2004, July 25-30); Leland. (2010, August 29); Mandela. (2006, June 1); Nita
      Kapoor, [Director General, Fredskorpset (FK Norway)], Personal Communication. (2011, July 27);
      Shatti. (2009).




2
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SWVR English

  • 1. 2011 State of the World’s olunteerism Report Universal Values for Global Well-being
  • 2. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the United Nations organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced United Nations Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • 3. State of the World’s 2011 olunteerism Report Universal Values for Global Well-being
  • 4. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 © United Nations Volunteers, 2011 Published by: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Translated by: Prime Production, United Kingdom Designed by: Baseline Arts, United Kingdom; Shubh Chakraborty (cover idea) Printed by: Phoenix Design Aid, Denmark This report is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish To order a copy, please visit: https://unp.un.org/ Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication. ISBN-13: 978-92-1-101246-0 e-ISBN-13: 978-92-1-054828-1 Sales No.: E.11.I.12 ii
  • 5. SWVR REPORT TEAM State of the World’s Volunteerism Report Team Senior Writer Project Manager Robert Leigh Aygen Aytac Research and Writing Team Communications Specialist David Horton Smith (Senior Researcher), Lothar Mikulla Cornelia Giesing, María José León, Debbie Haski-Leventhal, Benjamin J. Lough, Jacob Administrative Support Team Mwathi Mati, Sabine Strassburg Vera Chrobok, Johannes Bullmann Editor Paul Hockenos The analysis and policy recommendations of this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme. The research and writing of the report was a collaborative effort by the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report team and a group of eminent advisers led by Flavia Pansieri, Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers. Citing of trade names or commercial processes does not constitute endorsement. iii
  • 6. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 Foreword Volunteering occurs in every society in the a decent standard of living. As the Human De- world. The terms which define it and the velopment Reports have shown, development forms of its expression may vary in different lan- effectiveness needs to be measured not only guages and cultures, but the values which drive by GDP per capita, but also by the extent to it are common and universal: a desire to con- which people’s choices have expanded and im- tribute to the common good, out of free will proved their quality of life. and in a spirit of solidarity, without expectation The human development concept puts of material reward. people at the very centre of development. Volunteers are motivated by values like UNV’s report embraces that too, recognizing the those of justice, equality and freedom as ex- importance of non-material attainments to the pressed in the United Nations Charter. A soci- well-being of individuals and the entire socie- ety which supports and encourages different ty. Material improvements – health, education forms of volunteering is likely to be a society and decent work – remain essential; but also which also promotes the well-being of its cit- vital are participation, empowerment and ac- izens. A society which fails to recognize and fa- tive citizenship of which volunteering is such cilitate the contributions of volunteers deprives a powerful expression. itself of contributions to public well-being The Global Human Development Report which could be made. 2010 stated: “Putting people at the centre of de- In proclaiming the International Year of Vol- velopment means making progress equitable and unteers ten years ago, the international com- broad-based, enabling people to be active par- munity recognized the essential contributions ticipants in change.” UNV’s report shows vol- which volunteers make to the progress, cohe- unteering to be a highly effective way of sion and resilience of communities and nations. building on people’s capabilities in all societies Yet, as we strive to accelerate progress to and at all levels. reach the Millennium Development Goals by At UNDP, we believe in supporting countries 2015, the contributions of volunteers are not to build the institutions, capacities and policies always factored into development strategies which will drive transformational change. To be and often remain at the margins of develop- effective, policies need to bring about change ment debate. at the grassroots level. Strategies nurtured by The United Nations Volunteers programme community-level action can help achieve that. took the initiative to commission this first-ever This report should trigger a discussion on, United Nations report on volunteering as a way and promote a better understanding of, the of marking the tenth anniversary of the Inter- contributions of volunteering to peace and de- national Year of Volunteers. By emphasising the velopment. untapped potential of volunteering, the report shows that the current development archi- tecture is incomplete where it omits to include the contributions volunteers can make. Over the past two decades, the United Na- Helen Clark tions Development Programme (UNDP) has ad- Administrator, United Nations Development vanced the concept of human development, Programme calling for expanding people’s choices and free- doms and increasing their ability to live long and healthy lives, to be educated, and to enjoy iv
  • 7. FOREWORD AND PREFACE Preface The focus of this report is on the universal any strategy that recognizes that progress values that motivate people the world over to cannot be measured solely in terms of eco- volunteer for the common good and on the im- nomic return and that individuals are not mo- pact of volunteer action on societies and indi- tivated by self-interest alone but also by their viduals. We believe in the power of volunteering deeply held values and beliefs. to promote cooperation, encourage participa- In the chapters that follow, we provide nu- tion and contribute to the well-being of indi- merous examples of the transformational viduals and of society as a whole. changes that volunteers experience and pro- Volunteerism was recognized as an im- duce. We show why volunteerism is crucial to portant factor in development ten years ago in human development. More importantly, we ar- 2001 when 126 Member States co-sponsored gue that a truly human society needs to be driv- a General Assembly resolution at the end of the en by the values of trust, solidarity and mutual International Year of Volunteers (IYV). This res- respect which inspire all volunteers. olution provided numerous policy recom- In preparing this first United Nations report mendations to governments, United Nations on volunteerism, we address numerous defi- bodies, non-governmental organizations and nitional and methodological issues. We are well others on ways to promote and support vol- aware that further study and research are unteerism. needed to refine our understanding of the na- Since then, encouraging progress has been ture and extent of this expression of human en- made in implementing some of these recom- deavour. This report represents the starting mendations. At the same time, as we mark the point for a broader debate, not a definitive an- tenth anniversary of IYV, the contribution of vol- swer. In future years, we intend to deepen our unteerism is still only partially recognized. It is understanding of the motivations, scope, val- an afterthought rather than an organic com- ue and impact of volunteerism worldwide. ponent of programmes designed to promote citizen participation and societal well-being. With this report, we hope to make the case for the recognition of volunteerism as an es- sential component for the sustainable, equi- Flavia Pansieri table progress of communities and nations. In Executive Coordinator, United Nations a rapidly changing environment, volunteerism Volunteers is a constant. Its forms of expression may vary but the central values of solidarity and com- mitment that lie at its core remain strong and universal. They are found in all cultures and so- cieties and are a true expression of our common humanity. There is growing recognition of the need to modify our unsustainable production and consumption patterns. This will require polit- ical will. Equally, it will require the buy-in and active participation of citizens. Volunteerism is not a panacea to the problems of the world to- day. It is, however, an essential component of v
  • 8. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 Acknowledgements This report is the result of a truly partici- An internal UNV Readers Group compris- patory effort. The sincere thanks of UNV go ing UNV management and technical staff was to all who contributed their time, knowledge established to provide feedback on the draft and experience. As befits a report on volun- SWVR. The report benefited greatly from their teerism, most of the contributions took the advice and suggestions. Thus we would like to form of voluntary engagement. The report was thank: Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, Mahamane prepared by a core team, coordinated by Baby, Manon Bernier, Elise Bouvet, Mae Chao, Project Manager Aygen Aytac, under the gen- Simona Costanzo-Sow, Peter Devereux, Olga eral guidance and supervision of Flavia Pansieri, Devyatkin, Francesco Galtieri, Kevin Gilroy, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Naheed Haque, Moraig Henderson, Ibrahim Volunteers (UNV) programme. The research Hussein, Ghulam Isaczai, Allen Jennings, Tapi- and writing team, led by Senior Writer Robert wa Kamuruko, Donna Keher, Svend Amdi Leigh, comprised the founder of ARNOVA, Madsen, Yvonne Maharoof, Robert Palmer, David Horton Smith from the Boston Col- Jan Snoeks, Robert Toe, Marco van der Ree, lege, Benjamin J. Lough from the University of Oliver Wittershagen, Kawtar Zerouali and Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jacob Mwathi Veronique Zidi-Aporeigah. An internal refer- Mati from the University of Witwatersrand, ence group also assisted. Thanks go to Alba Debbie Haski-Leventhal from Macquarie Uni- Candel Pau, Fabienne Copin, Romain De- versity, and Independent Consultants María sclous, Rafael Martínez, Marguerite Minani José León, Cornelia Giesing and Sabine Strass- and Amina Said. burg. Project and administrative support was UNV commissioned 19 background papers provided by Vera Chrobok and Johannes Bull- on a range of thematic issues related to vol- mann. Lothar Mikulla led the communica- unteerism and seven regional papers. We tion and advocacy activities and Paul Hockenos would like to thank the authors for providing edited the report. Thanks also go to Shubh us with rich information and data: Jody Aked, Chakraborty for suggestion of the cover page Emmanuel Asomba, Denise Bortree, Carol design. Carter, Kathryn Dinh, Christopher Einolf, Sharon A Technical Advisory Board was actively in- Eng, Snezana Green, Jürgen Grotz, Celayne volved in identifying the issues addressed in Healon-Shrestha, Nicole A. Hofmann, Benedict the report and in outlining its content. We Iheme, Osama Kadi, Alina Meyer, Kimberly thank the Technical Advisory Board mem- Ochs, René Olate, John Robinson, Sigfrido bers: Jeffrey Brudney, Anabel Cruz, Lev Jakob- Romeo, Lester Salamon, David H. Smith, Lars son, Amany Kandil, Thierno Kane, Jeni Svedberg, Rajesh Tandon, Rebecca Tiessen Klugman, Lucas Meijs, Maureen Nakirunda, and Ying Xu (see Bibliography for a full list of Justin Davis Smith and Rajesh Tandon. commissioned papers). The High-Level Advisory Board contributed In preparation for the SWVR, nine consul- its broader vision and helped to contextualize tative meetings were held between October the report. We thank the High-Level Advisory 2010 and February 2011 to draw on the ex- Board members for providing invaluable in- pertise of volunteerism researchers, academ- sights and suggestions. They are: Soukeyna ics, civil society leaders and development Ndiaye Ba, Liz Burns, Marian Harkin, Bruce practitioners from around the globe and to dis- Jenks, Rima Khalaf, Bernardo Kliksberg, Justin cuss issues related to volunteerism. These Koutaba, Miria Matembe, Taimalieutu Kiwi consultation meetings included a civil socie- Tamasese and Erna Witoelar. ty consultation meeting in Germany and sev- vi
  • 9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS eral regional consultation meetings covering ganizations to which we were allowed gen- Latin America, North America, Western Europe, erous access. In this context we would like to Eastern Europe/CIS, Middle East and Northern thank Richard Harrison, Research Director of Africa, Francophone Africa, Anglophone Africa the Charities Aid Foundation in London, and and the Asia-Pacific region. We thank all par- Andrew Rzepa of GALLUP for giving us this ac- ticipants for sharing valuable insights, sug- cess. gestions, case studies and their own research Over the course of the project, a number findings. We would also like to thank associated of dedicated interns supported the SWVR universities and organizations for supporting team: Collins Fomukong Abie, Abdalhadi Ali- the participation of their staff in our consul- jla, Bárbara Bécares Castaño, Bowen Cao, tation meetings (see the full list of consultation Piyush Dhawan, Geline Alfred Fuko, Carly meetings and participants on the following Garonne, Miles Hookey, Ika RiniIndrawati, Au- pages). rora Gomez Jimenez, Aivis Klavinskis, Parul Lih- UNDP Country Offices in Turkey, Senegal, la, Amrita Manocha, Evgenia Mitroliou, Hiromi Kenya, Thailand and Argentina, and the UNV Morikawa, Victor Bakhoya Nyange, Valentina Office in New York supported the organization Primo, Liam Puzzi and Rafael Tahan. of regional consultation meetings. The The report also benefited from the support Comisión Cascos Blancos (White Helmets of several online volunteers from around the Commission) from Argentina and research globe: Frank Brockmeier, Jorge Carvajal, Audrey institute TUSSIDE from Turkey gave support to Desmet, Arit Eminue, Camilla Eriksson, Moni- the organization of meetings in Buenos Aires ca Figueroa, Sophie Guo, Carolina Henriques, and in Istanbul respectively. The multi-re- Ali Hentati, Jae Hyeon Park, Ahsan Ijaz, Syed gional consultation meeting in Turkey was Ijaz, Hussain Shah, Marina Jousse, Wenni Lee, funded by the European Commission. We are Natalia Markitan, Leire Martinez Arribas, Lucia grateful for the financial support. Martinkova, Luana Mulugheta, Saki Naga- The UNDP Network Groups generated a mone, Joanna Pilch, Montasir Rahman, Mara range of useful ideas and examples through Romiti, Britta Sadoun, Christopher Sam, Divya online discussions on various topics related to Sharma, Feiru Tang, Aneliya Valkova and Jen- volunteerism. The UNDP Network Groups on nifer Walsh. Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, HIV/AIDS, En- APA Journals gave us continuous support vironment, and Conflict Prevention and Re- with information on the APA style used in the covery deserve special mention. references of the SWVR. The data and statistics used in this report draw significantly on the databases of other or- UNV wishes to thank all contributors. vii
  • 10. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 Contributions HIGHLEVEL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS (in alphabetical order) (in alphabetical order) Soukeyna Ndiaye Ba – Executive Director, Jeffrey Brudney – Albert A. Levin Chair of International Network of Alternative Financial Urban Studies and Public Service, Levin College Institutions, Dakar, Senegal of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, United States Elizabeth Burns – Former World President, International Association for Volunteer Effort Anabel Cruz – Director, Communication and (IAVE), United Kingdom Development Institute, Montevideo, Uruguay Marian Harkin – Independent Member of the Lev Jakobson – First Vice Rector, Higher School European Parliament, Ireland of Economics, State University, Moscow, Russia Bruce Jenks – Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Amany Kandil – Executive Director, The Arab Harvard University, United States Network for NGOs, Cairo, Egypt Rima Khalaf – Executive Secretary, United Thierno Kane – Former Director, UNDP Civil Nations Economic and Social Commission for Society Organizations Division, Dakar, Senegal Western Asia, Beirut, Lebanon Jeni Klugmann – Former Director, UNDP Bernardo Kliksberg – Senior Consultant for Human Development Reports Office, New York, the Director of the Bureau for Development United States Policy, UNDP, Argentina Lucas Meijs – Professor, Rotterdam School of Justin Koutaba – Professor of Philosophy, Management at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso the Netherlands Miriam Matembe – Founder and Board Maureen Nakirunda – Research Fellow, Member, Centre for Women in Governance, Centre for Basic Research, Kampala, Uganda Kampala, Uganda Justin Davis Smith – Chief Executive, Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese – Coordinator of Volunteering England, London, United Kingdom the Pacific Section, The Family Centre, New Zealand Rajesh Tandon – President, Society for Participatory Research in Asia, New Delhi, India Erna Witoelar – Chair, Asia Pacific Philantrophy Consortium, Indonesia viii
  • 11. CONTRIBUTIONS CONSULTATION MEETINGS Eastern Europe/CIS Indrė Balčaitė (Analyst, Public Policy and Multi-Regional Consultation Meeting Management Institute, Lithuania); Galina (Western Europe, Eastern Europe/CIS, Bodrenkova (Founder and President of Middle East and Northern Africa), Turkey Moscow Charity House / National 29-30 October 2010 Representative of IAVE in Russia); Astrit Istrefi (Project Coordinator, Saferworld, Kosovo Western Europe (Serbia)); Nikica Kusinikova (Executive Director, Cliff Allum (Chief Executive Officer, Skillshare Konekt, the former Yugoslav Republic of International, United Kingdom); Aurélie Macedonia); Anna Mazgal (International Beaujolais (Coordinator, Comité de Liaison des Officer, National Federation of Polish NGOs, ONG de Volontariat, France); Rene Bekkers Poland); Ferdinand Nikolla (Executive Director, (Associate Professor, Department of The Forum for Civic Initiatives, Kosovo Philanthropic Studies, VU University (Serbia)); Miroslav Pospisil (Director, Centre for Amsterdam, NL); Steffen Bethmann Nonprofit Sector Research, Czech Republic); (Researcher, Centre for Philanthropy Studies, Steve Powell (President and Senior Researcher, University of Basel, Switzerland); Thilo Boeck proMente, Bosnia and Herzegovina); Lejla (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Sehic Relic (Center Manager, Volonterski Action, De Montfort University, School of Centar Osijek, Croatia); Kuba Wygnanski Applied Social Sciences, United Kingdom); (Expert, KLON/JAWOR Association, Unit for Angeliki Boura (Special Advisor to the Social Research and Innovation SHIPYARD, Secretary General for Youth, General Secretariat Poland); Igor Germanovich Zakharov for Youth, Greece); Matthew Hill (Research (Webmaster Consultant, Sozidanie Officer, Institute for Volunteering Research, Foundation, Russian Federation); Elena United Kingdom); Lesley Hustinx (Assistant Zakharova (Executive Director, Sozidanie Professor, Department of Sociology, Ghent Foundation, Russian Federation). University, Belgium); Liz Lipscomb (Head of Research, Charities Aid Foundation, United Middle East and Northern Africa Kingdom); Deirdre Murray (Director, Hadeel Al-Ali (Director, Syria Youth Commission Comhlámh, attending on behalf of FORUM, for Volunteerism, Syria); Khalid S. Al-Ghamdi Ireland); Colin Rochester (Senior Research (NPO Technology Consultant and Researcher, Fellow, Centre for the Study of Voluntary and MEDAD Center, International Center for Community Activity, Roehampton University, Researches & Studies, Saudi Arabia); Rana Al United Kingdom); Boguslawa Sardinha Hariri (Program Assistant, International (Associate Professor, Escola Superior de Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Ciências Empresariais, Instituto Politechnico de Societies, Lebanon); Abdel Rahim Belal Setubal, Portugal); Lars Svedberg (Director, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Sudan); (Professor/Research Director, Institute for Civil Farah Cherif D’Ouezzan (Founder of Thaqafat Society Studies, Ersta Sköndal University Association, Founder and Director of the College, Sweden); Agnes Uhereczky (Director, Center for Cross Cultural Learning, Morocco); Association of Voluntary Service Organizations, Hür Güldü (Coordinator, T.R. Prime Ministry Belgium); Annette Zimmer (Director of Political State Planning Organization, Centre for EU Science Institute, University of Münster, Education and Youth Programmes, National Germany). Agency, Turkey; Osama Kadi (Co-founder and ix
  • 12. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 President, Syrian Centre for Political and (Coordinator of the Pacific Section, The Family Strategic Studies, United States); Salma Kahale Centre, New Zealand); Francesco Volpini (Senior Executive Aide, Projects and Initiatives (Director, Coordinating Committee for Office of the First Lady, Syria); Najwa Kallas International Voluntary Service, France); Saâd (Program Associate on the Youth Agenda Zian (Volunteer Development Director, World Project Office of the First Lady, Syria); Hagai Katz Organization of the Scout Movement, (Director, Israeli Center for Third Sector Research, Switzerland). Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel). North America Regional Consultation Civil Society Consultation Meeting, Meeting, United States Germany 20-21 November 2010 8-9 November 2010 Douglas Baer (Professor, Department of Stefan Agerhem (Senior Officer, International Sociology, University of Victoria, Canada); Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Thomasina Borkman (Professor of Sociology Societies/Swedish Red Cross); Ibrahim Betil Emerita, George Mason University, United (Chairperson, TOG-Community Volunteers, States); Jeffrey Brudney (Albert A. Levin Chair of Turkey); Elizabeth Burns (Former World Urban Studies and Public Service, Levin College President, International Association for of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, Volunteer Effort, United Kingdom); Jacqueline United States); Carol Carter (Principal Butcher-Rivas (Chairperson, CEMEFI, Mexican Consultant, IVA Consulting, United States); Lilian Center for Philanthropy, Mexico); Mei Cobb Chatterjee (Director General, Consultations and (Vice President, Volunteer & Employee Outreach, Strategic Policy and Performance Engagement, United Way Worldwide, United Branch, Canadian International Development States); Kate Cotton (National Volunteering Agency, Canada); Ernest Gilmer Clary (Professor, Team Manager, Voluntary Service Overseas, Department of Psychology, College of St. UK); Philippe Fragnier (Knowledge Catherine, United States); Ram A. Cnaan Management Unit of the Uniterra Volunteer (President ARNOVA, Professor and Senior Program, CECI and WUSC, Canada); Tuesday Associate Dean, University of Pennsylvania, Gichuki (Executive Director, NAVNET, Kenya); United States); Kathleen Dennis (Executive Rosemary Hindle (Development Executive - Director, International Association for Volunteer External Relations, World Association of Girl Effort, United States); Christopher J. Einolf Guides and Girl Scouts, Belgium); Jeffery (Assistant Professor, School of Public Service, Huffines (United Nations Representative, DePaul University, United States); Susan J. Ellis CIVICUS, United States); Viola Krebs (Founder & (President, Energize, Inc., United States); Barney Executive Director, ICVolunteers, Switzerland); Ellis-Perry (Strategic Advisor, Volunteer Eva Mysliwiec (Founder & Executive Director, Vancouver / Strategic External Relations Officer, Youth Star Cambodia); Mike Naftali (Founder University of British Columbia, Canada); Megan and Chairperson, Brit Olam (International Haddock (International Research Projects Volunteering and Development / National Coordinator, Center for Civil Society Studies, Council for Voluntarism, Israel); Kumi Naidoo Johns Hopkins University, United States); (Executive Director, Greenpeace International, Michael H. Hall (Principal, Social Impact the Netherlands); Cary Pedicini (Chief Strategies, Canada); Femida Handy (Professor, Executive Officer, Volunteering Australia, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Australia); Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese Pennsylvania, United States); David Lasby x
  • 13. CONTRIBUTIONS (Senior Research Associate, Imagine Canada, Africa, Project OSC/PNUD, Benin); Kossi Ayeh Canada); Nancy Macduff (Trainer and (Secretary-General, Frères Agriculteurs et Consultant, Macduff/Bunt Associates, Faculty, Artisans pour le Développement, Togo); Thierno Portland State University, United States); Julie Kane, former Director, UNDP Division Civil Fisher Melton (Associate, Retired Program Society, and Member, Technical Advisory Board Officer, Kettering Foundation, United States); UNV/SWVR, Senegal); Flavien Munzuluba Kinier Brandee Menoher (Director (National Volunteering Secretariat, Ministry of Evaluation/Performance Measurement, Points of Planning, Democratic Republic of the Congo); Light Institute, United States); Rick Montpelier Zélia Leite Rodrigues (Director, National (Operations and Program Specialist, Peace Programme of Volunteering, Cape Verde); Corps, United States); Danny Pelletier (Programs Ibrahim Patingde Alassane Ouedraogo, and Partnership Director, CUSO-VSO, Canada); Directeur-General, National Volunteering Victor Pestoff (Guest Professor, Institute for Civil Programme, Burkina Faso); Benoit Ouoba Society Studies, Ersta Skondal University (Executive Secretary, Tin Tua, Burkina Faso); College, Sweden); Jack Quarter (Professor and Rodolphe Soh (Director of Social Protection for Director, Social Economy Centre, University of Persons with Handicaps and Older People, Toronto, Canada); David Ray (Chief Strategy and Ministry of Social Affairs, Cameroon); Saadé Public Policy Officer, Points of Light Institute, Souleye (former Minister for Regional United States); Sarah Jane Rehnborg (Associate Development Planning and Community Director for Planning and Development, RGK Development, Niger); Papa Birama Thiam, Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, Director, L’Assistance Technique, Senegal). LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, United States); Lester Salamon (Director, Center Anglophone Africa Regional Consultation for Civil Society Studies, The Johns Hopkins Meeting, Kenya University, United States); Sarah Saso (Director, 17-18 January 2011 Community Relations, Manulife Financial Raymonde Agossou (Head of Division of HR & Corporation, Canada); Elizabeth Specht Youth Development, African Union Commission, (Executive Director, Volunteer Richmond, Ethiopia); Fatma Alloo (Founder, Tanzania Media Canada); Robert A. Stebbins (Faculty Professor, Women’s Association, Tanzania); Salmina E. Jobe Department of Sociology, University of Calgary, (National Coordinator, National Volunteer Canada); Richard A. Sundeen (Emeritus Service Centre Project, the Gambia); Eve Professor, School of Policy, Planning and Lwembe-Mungai (Volunteering Development Development, University of Southern California, Advisor, VSO Jitolee, Kenya); Winnie Mitullah United States); John Wilson (Emeritus Professor, (Associate Research Professor, University of Department of Sociology, Duke University, Nairobi, Kenya); Esther Mwaura-Muiru (National United States). Coordinator, GROOTS Kenya, Kenya); Dieudonné Nikiema (Capacity Building Specialist, ECOWAS Francophone Africa Regional Consultation Commission, Nigeria); Frances Birungi Odong Meeting, Senegal (Director of Programs, UCOBAC, Uganda); 7-8 January 2011 Morena J. Rankopo (Lecturer, MSW Coordinator, Ibrahim Ag Nock (National Coordinator, University of Botswana, Botswana); Murindwa National Centre for the Promotion of National Rutanga (Professor, Makerere University / Volunteering for Peace and Development, Mali); CODESRIA Representative, Uganda); Joyce Gustave Assah (President, Civic Commission for Shaidi (Director, Department of Youth xi
  • 14. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 Development, Ministry of Information, Youth, Latin America Regional Consultation Culture and Sports, Tanzania); Benon Webare Meeting, Argentina (Consultant, Professional Development 8-9 February 2011 Consultants International, Uganda); Susan Bruno Ayres (Director, Redes V2V, Brazil); Wilkinson-Maposa (Consultant, South Africa). Analía Bettoni Schafer (Project Area Coordinator, Institute of Communication and Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation Meeting, Development, Uruguay); Fernanda Thailand Bornhausen Sá (President, Action 31 January – 1 February 2011 Volunteerism Institute, Brazil); Jacqueline Vinya Ariyaratne (General Secretary, Butcher-Rivas (Board Member, CEMEFI, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Mexico); Laura Carizzoni (Assistant, White Lanka); Tim Burns (Executive Director, Helmets Commission, Argentina); Geovanna Volunteering New Zealand, New Zealand); Collaguazo (Volunteerism and Youth National Kin-Man Chan (Director of Centre for Civil Coordinator, Red Cross Ecuador); Gabriel Society Studies / Associate Professor of Marcelo Fuks (President, White Helmets Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Commission, Argentina); Marcela Jiménez de Kong, China); Kathryn Dinh (International la Jara (Senior Fellow, Center for Civil Society Development Consultant, Australia); Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, United Yashavantha Dongre (Professor, Coordinator States); Mariana Lomé (Coordinator, Graduate Project on Nonprofit Sector, University of Program on Nonprofit Organizations, Mysore, India); Debbie Haski-Leventhal University of San Andrés, CEDES, Argentina); (Senior Lecturer, Macquarie Graduate School Raúl Edgardo Martínez Amador (Major, of Management, Macquarie University, Volunteer Fire Brigade, Central District Australia); Chulhee Kang (Professor, School of Comayaguela, Honduras); Carolina Munín Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Republic of (Assistant, White Helmets Commission, Korea); Kang-Hyun Lee (President, Argentina); Marta Muñoz Cárdenas (Deputy International Association for Volunteer Effort, Director, Christian Youth Association, Republic of Korea); Corazon Macaraig (Chief Colombian NGO Confederation, Colombia); Volunteer Service Officer, Philippine National Juan Carlos Nadalich (Technical Coordinator, Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, National Council for the Coordination of Philippines); Phra Win Mektripop (Committee, Social Policies, Argentina); René Olate Volunteer Spirit Network, Thailand); Malanon (Researcher, College of Social Work, Ohio Nuntinee (Secretariat, Volunteer Center, State University, United States); Felipe Thammasat University, Thailand); Pooran Portocarrero (Chancellor, University of the Chandra Pandey (Director, Times Pacific, Peru); Mario Roitter (Researcher, State Foundation,Times Group, India); Rajesh and Society Research Centre, Argentina); Tandon (President, Society for Participatory Javiera Serani (Regional Director for Mexico Research in Asia, India); Erna Witoelar (Chair, and the Caribbean, A Roof for my Country Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium, Foundation, Chile); Cecilia Ugaz (Deputy Indonesia); Naoto Yamauchi (Professor of Resident Representative, United Nations Public Economics, Osaka School of Development Programme, Argentina); Carlos International Public Policy, Osaka University, Eduardo Zaballa (UNV Coordinator, White Japan); Zhibin Zhang (Assistant Professor, Helmets Commission, Argentina). Nanyang Technological University, Singapore). xii
  • 15. ACRONYMS Acronyms BwB Bankers without Borders IFAD International Fund for CEPAL La Comisión Económica para Agricultural Development América Latina y el Caribe IFRC International Federation of CHW Community Health Worker Red Cross and Red Crescent CIS Commonwealth of Societies Independent States IKS Indigenous Knowledge CNP The Johns Hopkins System Comparative Nonprofit ILO International Labour Sector Project Organization CSI Civil Society Index IOM International Organization CSO Civil Society Organization for Migration CSR Corporate Social ISO International Organization Responsibility for Standardization CUSO Canadian University Service ITU International Overseas Telecommunication Union DFID Department for International IVS International Volunteer Development (United Service Kingdom) IYV International Year of DRR Disaster Risk Reduction Volunteers EAC-EA The Education, Audiovisual MARWOPNET Mano River Women’s Peace and Culture Executive Network Agency MDGs Millennium Development ECOWAS Economic Community of Goals West African States MRU Mano River Union EU European Union NGO Non-Governmental EVP Employee Volunteer Program Organization FBO Faith-Based Organization NSDP National Strategic FOCSIV Federazione Organismi Development Plan Cristiani Servizio NVM National Volunteer Internazionale Volontario Movement GDP Gross Domestic Product OECD Organization for Economic GWP The Gallup World Poll Co-operation and HDR Human Development Report Development HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency SADNET The Southern Africa Drought Virus/Acquired Immuno- Technology Network Deficiency Syndrome SIF Singapore International IAVE International Association for Foundation Volunteer Effort SMS Short Message Service ICNL International Center for Not- SWVR State of World’s Volunteerism for-Profit Law Report ICNPO International Classification of TICA Thailand’s International Nonprofit Organizations Development Cooperation ICT Information and Agency Communications Technology UN United Nations xiii
  • 16. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 UNCCD United Nations Convention UN IANWGE United Nations Inter-Agency to Combat Desertification Network on Women and UNCDF United Nations Capital Gender Equality Development Fund UNICEF United Nations Children’s UNDESA United Nations Department Fund of Economic and Social UNISDR United Nations International Affairs Strategy for Disaster UNDP United Nations Development Reduction Programme UNSC United Nations Security UNEP United Nations Environment Council Programme UNV United Nations Volunteers UNESCO United Nations Educational, UPS United Parcel Service Scientific and Cultural USAID United States Agency for Organization International Development UNGC United Nations Global VSO Voluntary Services Overseas Compact WANEP West Africa Network for UNGA United Nations General Peacebuilding Assembly WHO World Health Organization xiv
  • 17. CONTENTS Contents STATE OF THE WORLD'S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT TEAM iii FOREWORD by the Administrator, UNDP iv PREFACE by the Executive Coordinator, UNV v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi CONTRIBUTIONS viii ACRONYMS xiii CONTENTS xv OVERVIEW xix Volunteerism in the world today xxii New faces of volunteerism xxii Volunteerism and the development paradigm xxii CHAPTER 1 . Volunteerism is universal 1 Volunteerism and traditional values 2 Volunteerism flying under the radar 3 What is volunteerism? 3 How is volunteerism expressed? 5 Common misperceptions about volunteerism 8 Conclusions and discussions 12 CHAPTER 2 . Taking the measure of volunteering 13 Why take the measure of volunteerism? 14 Diverse measures of volunteering 15 National volunteer studies 17 Pursuing a global measure: highlighting international measuring initiatives 18 European Commission Study 18 The Gallup World Poll (GWP) 19 World Values Survey (WVS) 20 The Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project (CNP) 20 CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) 20 The Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work 22 Conclusions and discussions 23 xv
  • 18. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 CHAPTER 3 . Volunteerism in the twenty-first century 25 Introduction 26 Volunteerism and technology 26 Volunteerism and mobile communication technologies 26 Volunteerism and the Internet 27 International volunteerism 29 Volunteerism and the private sector 33 Conclusions and discussions 36 CHAPTER 4 . Sustainable livelihoods 39 Introduction 40 What are sustainable livelihoods? 40 Volunteerism and social capital 41 Volunteerism and human capital 42 Volunteerism and natural capital 45 Volunteerism and physical capital 46 Volunteerism and financial assets 47 Volunteerism and political assets 48 Conclusions and discussions 49 CHAPTER 5 . Volunteering as a force for social inclusion 51 What is social inclusion? 52 The levels of social inclusion 53 Social inclusion of groups through volunteerism 54 Women 54 Young people 56 Older persons 58 People with disabilities 58 Migrants 59 People living with HIV/AIDS 60 Conclusions and discussions 61 CHAPTER 6 . Volunteerism, cohesion and conflict management 63 Introduction 64 Social cohesion and violent conflict 64 Volunteerism in the prevention of conflict 65 Volunteerism during conflict 66 Volunteerism in the aftermath of conflict 67 Volunteerism and the promotion of peace 68 Women 68 Young people 69 Conclusions and discussions 71 xvi
  • 19. CONTENTS CHAPTER 7 . Volunteerism and disasters 73 Introduction 74 Disasters and development 74 Multiple roles of volunteerism in disasters 74 Before a disaster 74 Prevention and mitigation of disasters 74 Preparing for disasters 76 Responding to disasters 77 Volunteerism and recovery 80 Conclusions and discussions 81 CHAPTER 8 . Volunteering and well-being 83 Introduction 84 Volunteering and individual well-being 86 Volunteering and community well-being 86 Well-being and policy 88 Conclusions and discussions 89 CONCLUSION . The way forward 91 Introduction 92 The time is right 93 NOTES 95 REFERENCES 99 BOXES O.1 Volunteerism as a valuable component of development plans xx O.2 Volunteerism as an anchor in the face of global changes xxi 1.1 Traditional forms of volunteerism 2 1.2 Volunteers in weather forecasts 3 1.3 Teaching the poor in India 5 1.4 Farmers’ cooperatives help Zambian farmers survive and thrive 6 1.5 Arab spring – Egypt in Colors 7 1.6 Public and community partnership against poverty and tuberculosis 9 1.7 African philanthropy – a strong tradition 9 1.8 From house building to active citizenship 10 1.9 Promoting laws and policies that support volunteerism 11 2.1 Volunteer values 14 2.2 Using community calendars to measure the value of volunteering 15 2.3 Beyond the economic value 16 2.4 African Union youth volunteers 16 2.5 First-ever volunteerism survey in Bangladesh 17 2.6 From house building to active citizenship 22 2.7 Best Practices in the measurement of volunteering 22 3.1 Election monitoring through SMS 27 3.2 Online volunteering 28 xvii
  • 20. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 3.3 Open-source online volunteering 29 3.4 Kraft Foods Micro-Volunteering 29 3.5 Friends from Thailand in Bhutan 30 3.6 JICA Senior Volunteers 31 3.7 The Ethiopian Diaspora Volunteer Programme 32 3.8 Need for values and principles in business 34 3.9 Employee volunteering and the MDGs 34 3.10 Corporate volunteering 35 3.11 Bankers without Borders 36 3.12 Bringing together people and causes 37 4.1 Cambodian taxi drivers help fight malaria 43 4.2 Education for building human capital 44 4.3 The Tongan giant clam sanctuaries 45 4.4 Community volunteers taking the lead 47 4.5 Cross-border volunteering in Mexican Hometown Associations 48 4.6 Volunteering for gender equity in Latin America 49 5.1 Volunteerism is a social behaviour 52 5.2 Retired and engaged 53 5.3 Traditional help in Brazil – mutirão 54 5.4 Political participation of indigenous people 55 5.5 Maasai Pastoral Women’s Council 56 5.6 Increasing youth employability in Bosnia and Herzegovina 57 5.7 Have wheels – will volunteer 59 5.8 Immigrant volunteering: New Zealand 60 5.9 Talking Positive about HIV: China 60 6.1 Creating bridges across ethnic borders 66 6.2 Muslim Volunteering Organization in the Philippines 67 6.3 Community volunteering for peace 68 6.4 Women struggle to be heard 69 6.5 Youth promote post-conflict recovery in Liberia 70 7.1 Good practices for community resilience 74 7.2 Volunteer early warning to save lives 76 7.3 Christchurch earthquake: volunteers of all types 78 7.4 Early response in Haiti 80 7.5 Disaster recovery and the gotong royong spirit 81 8.1 Gross National Happiness in Bhutan 85 8.2 Volunteering and individual well-being 86 8.3 Well-being through volunteering in Brazil 87 8.4 Living well 88 C.1 Recognizing the contribution of volunteerism 93 FIGURES FIGURE 2.1 If volunteers were a nation 20 FIGURE 2.2 Value of volunteer work as share of GDP 21 FIGURE 2.3 CIVICUS Civil Society Diamond 21 xviii
  • 21. OVERVIEW Overview People are the real wealth of a nation. UNDP Human Development Report (1990) xix
  • 22. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 Volunteerism is a basic expression of human tional Year of Volunteers (IYV), the phenom- relationships. It is about people’s need to enon is still misconstrued and undervalued. All participate in their societies and to feel that too often, the strong links are overlooked they matter to others. We strongly believe between volunteer activity on the one hand that the social relationships intrinsic to volun- and peace and human development on the teer work are critical to individual and other. It is time for the contribution of volun- community well-being. The ethos of volun- teerism to the quality of life, and to well-being teerism is infused with values including soli- in a wider sense, to be understood as one of the darity, reciprocity, mutual trust, belonging missing components of a development para- and empowerment, all of which contribute digm that still has economic growth at its core. significantly to quality of life. However, as the first UNDP Human Develop- ment Report noted, people are the real wealth People the world over engage in volunteerism of a nation. Development is about expanding for a great variety of reasons: to help to elimi- the choices available to people so that they may nate poverty and to improve basic health and lead lives that they value. Economic growth is education, to provide a safe water supply and only one means of increasing people’s choices.1 adequate sanitation, to tackle environmental issues and climate change, to reduce the risk Alongside criteria such as health and educa- of disasters and to combat social exclusion tion, another element has been added to and violent conflict. In all of these fields, human development: the freedom of people volunteerism contributes to peace and devel- to use their knowledge and talents to shape opment by generating well-being for people their own destinies. This expanded definition and their communities. Volunteerism also of development has informed 20 years of forms the backbone of many national and global Human Development Reports (HDR) international non-governmental organiza- and over 600 national HDRs. This first United tions and other civil society organizations as Nations State of the World’s Volunteerism well as social and political movements. It is Report emphasizes how volunteerism is a present in the public sector and is increasingly means by which people can take control of a feature of the private sector. their lives and make a difference to them- selves and to those around them. While recognition of volunteerism has been growing in recent times, especially since the Volunteerism is a sphere of human endeavour United Nations proclaimed 2001 the Interna- of which the significance has not been fully understood and articulated in the develop- BOX O.1 : Volunteerism as a valuable component of ment debate, particularly in the context of the development plans Millennium Development Goals. This is not to deny that considerable progress has been Extend the notion of volunteerism as an additional valuable compo- achieved since IYV, especially in the developing nent of national development planning to development coopera- world, in responding to the four major themes tion policy. Recognizing and building strategically on rich, local identified for the year, namely greater recogni- traditions of voluntary self-help and mutual aid can open the way to tion, facilitation, networking and promotion of building up a new constituency in support of development efforts. volunteerism. Governments have developed Forging a link in the mind of the general public in countries an extensive list of recommendations for providing development assistance between domestic volunteering actions to support volunteerism. These are in those countries and volunteering in countries receiving assistance contained in United Nations General Assembly can also help enlist public support for development cooperation.4 Resolution 56/38 adopted in 2001 and have been supplemented by subsequent resolu- Source: UNGA. (2002b). tions from the United Nations General xx
  • 23. OVERVIEW Assembly.2 These recommendations are also BOX O.2 :Volunteerism as an anchor in the face of global changes emphasized in successive reports of the United Nations Secretary-General.3 “People often feel powerless in the face of globalization; like flotsam and jetsam on the waves with no stable anchor. Volunteerism can be The timing of this report, a decade after IYV, is an anchor for people as they effect change in their own community of crucial as it coincides with an intense debate place.” about the type of societies that we wish to see, for ourselves and for future generations. Source: Maria Harkin, [Member of the European Parliament, UNV High-Level Advisory Board]. (2011).6 Globalization is rapidly transforming cultural and social norms, bringing benefits to some but exclusion and marginalization to others. This report does not intend to duplicate the Many people feel a loss of control over their existing body of scholarly work on volun- lives.5 Volunteerism is one way for people to teerism (see bibliography). Instead, we present engage in the life of their communities and a vision of volunteerism and examine how it societies. In doing so, they acquire a sense of relates to some of the principal peace and belonging and inclusion and they are able to development challenges of our times. The influence the direction of their lives. examples cited are predominantly from devel- oping countries, thus correcting a pronounced At no point in history has the potential been imbalance in scholarship to date. However, the greater for people to be primary actors, SWVR is intended to be global in application. rather than passive bystanders, in their communities, to affect the course of events The groundbreaking resolution 56/38 of the that shape their destiny. In Latin America in United Nations General Assembly contains the 1980s, in Eastern Europe in the 1990s and, explicit recommendations on ways in which most recently, in the Arab world, aided by the governments and the United Nations system rapid expansion of digital communications, can support volunteering.7 Among the key people have articulated their desire for considerations were: participatory democratic processes through volunteer-based campaigning and activism. I Neglecting to factor volunteering into the design and implementation of policies Volunteerism needs to be brought to the fore in could entail the risk of overlooking a valu- the development discourse at global, regional able asset and undermine traditions of co- and country levels. Interest in many aspects of operation that bind communities together.8 volunteerism has grown considerably in recent years. This is evident from the burgeoning I There is not one universal model of best academic work on the topic, the diverse forums practice, since what works well in one for discussing volunteerism and the consider- country may not work in another with very able media coverage, especially in connection different cultures and traditions.9 with natural disasters and major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the football I Support for voluntary activities does not World Cup. There are also increasing signs of imply support for government downsizing government support for volunteerism as a form or for replacing paid employment.10 of civic engagement, not only to enhance delivery of services but also to promote the values that underpin social cohesion and harmony. While this interest in volunteerism did not begin with IYV in 2001, many new volun- teer-related initiatives can be traced back to it. xxi
  • 24. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 VOLUNTEERISM IN THE WORLD TODAY service. Membership of virtual, Internet- based communities can also engender feel- An ethic of volunteerism exists in every ings of belonging and well-being. society in the world, albeit in different forms. Since 2001, wide-ranging research has added While international volunteering is not new, it greatly to our understanding of the phenom- has manifested itself in new forms and has enon. Nevertheless, fundamental mispercep- taken on new dimensions in an age of glob- tions remain widespread in the Western alization. “Voluntourism” or student “gap- world and beyond as to its nature and contri- year” volunteerism, often undertaken for butions. There is no agreed methodology for short periods, are new manifestations and measuring the extent of voluntary engage- their impact is open to question. Corpora- ment. However, most studies attest to the tions, NGOs, universities and faith-based universality of volunteerism, its universal organizations have become increasingly spread, massive scale and impact. engaged in facilitating internationally based volunteer placements. Furthermore, there is NEW FACES OF VOLUNTEERISM diaspora volunteerism in which experts from emigrant communities undertake short-term Opportunities for people to engage in volun- assignments to transfer knowledge to their teer action have been expanding in recent countries of origin. Fundamental years as a result of factors such as globaliza- misperceptions tion, the spread of new technologies and Another relatively new phenomenon is remain initiatives associated with corporate social involvement of the private sector. Today, widespread in responsibility from the private sector. The roughly one in three large companies offers the Western advent of mobile communication technolo- some type of employer-supported volun- world and gies and online volunteering, for example, teerism. There is a growing trend of long- beyond as to has enabled many more people to participate term collaboration between private sector the nature and for the first time. Mass short message service enterprises and local NGOs. contributions (SMS) communication is one form of “micro- of volunteerism volunteerism” that contributes to the produc- VOLUNTEERISM AND THE tion and sharing of information. It is DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM frequently used by people to raise awareness, inform choices and monitor public services. The contribution of volunteerism to develop- ment is particularly striking in the context of Online volunteering, i.e. volunteer work done sustainable livelihoods and value-based via the Internet, has eliminated the need for notions of well-being. Contrary to common volunteerism to be tied to specific times and perceptions, the income poor are as likely to locations, thus greatly increasing the freedom volunteer as those who are not poor. In doing and flexibility of volunteer engagement. The so they realize their assets, which include sharing of information through social net- knowledge, skills and social networks, for the working sites such as Twitter, Facebook and benefit of themselves, their families and their Orkut has helped people to organize around communities. The values of volunteerism are issues ranging from the environment to extremely relevant in strengthening the democratic change, most recently in some capacity of the most vulnerable to achieve Arab states. The Internet facilitates volun- secure livelihoods and to enhance their phys- teerism by matching the interests of people ical, economic, spiritual and social well-being. who seek to volunteer with the needs of host Moreover, volunteering can reduce the social organizations, through programmes such as exclusion that is often the result of poverty, the UN Volunteers Online Volunteering marginalization and other forms of inequality. xxii
  • 25. OVERVIEW Volunteerism is one path to inclusion among highly effective and practical means of population groups that are often excluded building on people’s capabilities in all soci- such as women, young and older people, eties and at all levels. It also provides a people with disabilities, migrants and people channel through which these capabilities living with HIV/AIDS. may enhance the well-being of individuals, communities and nations. There is mounting evidence that volunteer engagement promotes the civic values and In order to meet international development social cohesion which mitigate violent targets, such as the Millennium Development conflict at all stages and that it even fosters Goals, the voluntary efforts of countless reconciliation in post-conflict situations. By millions of ordinary citizens are needed to contributing to building trust, volunteer bolster the efforts of governments and inter- action diminishes the tensions that give rise national actors.12 to conflict and can also contribute to conflict resolution. It can also create common We want to bring about a greater recognition purpose in the aftermath of war. Indeed, of the rich and manifold expressions of volun- people bound together through active teerism as a powerful force for progress. We participation and cooperation at local level truly believe that volunteerism goes far are in a better position to resolve differences beyond merely completing a given task. It in non-confrontational ways. creates and sustains bonds of trust, societal The values cohesion, and helps to forge a common inherent in Volunteer action in the context of natural sense of identity and destiny. Volunteer volunteerism disasters has long been one of the most action by which people unite in shared endow it with visible manifestations of volunteerism. It is endeavours towards a common purpose is a far-reaching also one of the clearest expressions of the feature of most societies. As such, it touches potential for human values underpinning the drive to care the lives of vast numbers of people all over human for others. Despite the tendency of the media the world. development to focus on international volunteers, neigh- bours and local residents are often the first to The SWVR is both a description and a cele- respond. The role of volunteerism in this field bration of the positive impact of volun- has become even more prominent as the teerism, especially on the large numbers of incidence of disasters increases owing to people experiencing income poverty, inse- climate change, rapid urbanization and other curity and exclusion. We hope to awaken an factors. There is growing international aware- interest in volunteerism beyond the practi- ness that nations and communities can and tioners and scholars already engaged in the should build resilience to disasters through a subject. We want to inform future policy “bottom-up” process in the form of volunteer debates on peace, development and well- initiatives rooted in the community. Indeed, being that will lead policymakers to take into the 2005 World Conference on Disaster account this massive but largely invisible and Reduction declared that the most effective untapped resource. resources for reducing vulnerability are local community self-help, local organizations and A central thesis running through this report local networks. “Putting people at the centre is that the values inherent in volunteerism of development is much more than an intel- endow it with far-reaching potential for lectual exercise”, notes the HDR 2010. “It human development. This notion of devel- means making progress equitable and broad- opment includes factors such as solidarity, based, enabling people to be active partici- social inclusion, empowerment, life satisfac- pants in change”.11 Volunteerism can be a tion and individual and societal well-being. xxiii
  • 26. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 The well-being of individuals is intrinsically universal renewable resource and a vital linked to their contributions to the lives of component of the social capital of every others. nation. It has a huge potential to make a real difference in responding to many of the most These values have long been close to the pressing global concerns. We expect this work of the United Nations. Yet, despite all report to contribute to a better appreciation that it offers, volunteerism remains largely of this potential and to encourage greater absent from the peace and development strategic thinking and action to incorporate agenda. This must change. Volunteerism volunteerism into mainstream policies and should be recognized as a powerful and programmes for peace and development. xxiv
  • 27. VOLUNTEERISM IS UNIVERSAL CHAPTER 1 Volunteerism is universal Volunteering is an expression of the individual’s involvement in their community. Participation, trust, solidarity and reci- procity, grounded in a shared understanding and a sense of common obligations, are mutually reinforcing values at the heart of governance and good citizenship. Volunteering is not a nostalgic relic of the past. It is our first line of defence against social atomisation in a globalising world. Today, maybe more than ever before, caring and sharing are a necessity, not a charitable act. UNV (2000, November) 1
  • 28. STATE OF THE WORLD’S VOLUNTEERISM REPORT 2011 VOLUNTEERISM AND TRADITIONAL education, housing and environmental VALUES programmes and a range of other civil society, public and private sector programmes world- Volunteerism is one of the most basic of wide. It is an integral part of every society. expressions of human behaviour and arises out of long-established ancient traditions of At the heart of this report are values. Deeply sharing and reciprocal exchanges. At its core ingrained in many communities around the are relationships and their potential to world are systems characterized by solidarity, enhance the well-being of individuals and compassion, empathy and respect for others, communities. Social cohesion and trust, for often expressed through the giving of one’s example, thrive where volunteerism is preva- time. Volunteering also expresses the desire lent. Volunteerism is not only the backbone to act on one’s feelings about justice and fair- of civil society organizations and social and ness in the face of inequality and to foster political movements, but also of many health, social harmony based on a shared interest in the well-being of one’s community. In most BOX 1.1 : Traditional forms of volunteerism languages, there are words to express the concept of volunteerism. Often inspired by In many countries, volunteerism is deeply rooted in traditional indigenous traditions, they describe the prin- beliefs and community practices. In Norway, for instance, the term cipal ways by which people collectively apply Dugnad describes collective voluntary work: a traditional scheme their energy, talents, knowledge and other of cooperation within a social group such as family, neighbour- resources for mutual benefit. The act of hood, community, geographical area, professional sector or nation. volunteering is well known throughout the An example is outdoor spring cleaning in urban areas. Dugnad is world, even if the word as such is not. about contributing time or money. It is also about creating a sense of community and building relationships between neighbours and For example, elements of the philosophy of community members. Ubuntu, common throughout southern Africa, are found in many traditions around In the Arab world, volunteerism has been associated with helping the world.1 Ubuntu values the act of caring for people in celebrations or at difficult times and is considered as a one another´s well-being in a spirit of mutual religious duty and charitable work. Volunteerism in Arabic is support. It is based on recognition of human (tatawa’a) (‫ )عوطت‬which means donating something. It also means worth, communal relationships, human to commit to a charitable activity that is not a religious require- values and respect for the natural environ- ment. It originates from the word (al-taw’a) (‫ )عوطلا‬which means ment and its resources.2 As an official South compliance, smoothness and flexibility. The concept is taking new African government paper explains it: “Each forms as a result of modernization and the development of individual’s humanity is ideally expressed governmental and non-governmental institutions. through his or her relationship with others. In southern Africa, the concept of Ubuntu defines the individual in Ubuntu means that people are people relation to others. In Nelson Mandela’s words: “A traveller through a through other people. It also acknowledges country would stop at a village and he didn’t have to ask for food or for both the rights and the responsibilities of water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is every citizen in promoting individual and one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not societal well-being.”3 mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?” Sources: Haugestad. (2004, July 25-30); Leland. (2010, August 29); Mandela. (2006, June 1); Nita Kapoor, [Director General, Fredskorpset (FK Norway)], Personal Communication. (2011, July 27); Shatti. (2009). 2