new characteristics of inequalities in the information society and ...

ISSN: 2247-6172;
ISSN-L: 2247-6172
Review of Applied Socio- Economic Research
(Volume 5, Issue 1/ 2013), pp. 63
URL: http://www.reaser.eu
e-mail: editors@reaser.eu
volunteering? Well, they are no more ignorant of the problems facing the world, they become more confident
and courageous when they confront difficulties for the first time, and their communication skills are better.
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and it is intended to promote good or improve
human quality of life.
Also, volunteering means to interact with other young people sharing the same values and been engaged
in the same type of activities, the learning process occur in working together, exchanging previous
experiences and their results and that signifies actually learning by doing. ‘Learning by doing’ is considered
the most efficient way of acquiring knowledge and the easiest too in terms of intellectual effort.
Looking at the personal growth, the testimonials are focused on the fact that the volunteers are becoming
more compassionate, they bound more easily with less fortunate people and become aware of what they
already got and more appreciative and responsible toward those who made this possible (parents, school,
organizations and society).
Recent studies revealed the fact that volunteering generates a high emotional involvement that will drive
people to volunteer again in the future, not necessarily in the same project, and not necessarily at the same
scale of time allocation.
Also, volunteering goes beyond the beneficiaries’ gain and benefits. Volunteering has the ability to give
back on other levels. Some psychological studies demonstrate that volunteering can have a direct effect on
the chemicals of the brain. Being socially engaged in cognitive activities - such as volunteering- in midlife
and early late life may avoid risks for Alzheimer disease and dementia. Experience Corps organization
(http://www.aarp.org/experience-corps/) has identified the characteristics of volunteering and how they work
at the brain level too. The conclusion posted on their website is that: “giving back to your community may
slow the ageing process in ways that lead to a higher quality of life in older adults”.
Fostering the culture of volunteering among the young generation is important for individuals in their
future older age as well as for society, so reasons for becoming a volunteer were listed, and the most relevant
are : make new friends, explore careers and personal interests, earn recommendations for future employment
applications, develop job skills, build a strong résumé in early stage of personal development, learn in a non
formal manner, discover hidden skills and talents, build self-confidence, and make a difference.
2.3. Personal development as a result of volunteering
In order to demonstrate the close relationship between personal development and volunteering, the UK
National Youth Agency has conducted a research on young people’s volunteering and skills development.
The research report examines the relationship between skills development and volunteering as an informal
learning process. Looking at the key findings of this report, it is clear that young people identify a wide range
of personal and social skills developed just because they involved actively in volunteering. What is missing
in some EU countries is a system that allows the flexible recognition of these learning outcomes. The field
research confirmed the literature review evidences on the improved self-confidence and self-esteem of the
volunteers and also the enhancement of their communication skills and their ability to work with people with
various cultural backgrounds.
Moreover, volunteering acts “as a catalyst for young people to engage more effectively with other
learning, or in some cases re-engage with formal learning or training, putting them in a position where they
can develop skills and potentially gain qualifications”[5]. Many young people also develop practical skills
related to their specific experiences of volunteering.
3. Case study - Young Volunteering for Social Entrepreneurship (YVSE)
Currently, social entrepreneurship becomes more and more a viable alternative for entrepreneurs and
society mostly due to the economic crisis and its consequences. Encouraging young people to get
involved in social entrepreneurship is desirable but one needs to think to develop social entrepreneurial