Promoting Volunteerism for Peace and Development

VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT . 7What does it mean to volunteer?Volunteerism is a fundamental source ofcommunity strength and resilience thatexists in all societies throughout the world.Volunteerism is expressed through a widerange of activities, including traditionalforms of mutual aid and self-help, formalservice delivery, campaigning andadvocacy, as well as other forms of civicparticipation. The UN General Assemblydefines volunteerism as undertaken offree will, for the general public good, andwhere monetary reward is not theprincipal motivating factor. 3Following the International Year ofVolunteers in 2001, the UN GeneralAssembly recognized that “volunteerismis an important component of any strategyaimed at…poverty reduction, sustainabledevelopment, health, disaster preventionand management, social integration andovercoming social exclusion anddiscrimination”. And that “volunteering,particularly at the community level, willhelp to achieve the development goalsand objectives set out in the UNMillennium Development Goals…” 43. UN General Assembly A/RES/56/38 Distr. 10 January 20024. UN General Assembly A/RES/57/106 December 2002Here are a few contemporary examples ofculturally recognized forms ofvolunteerism:■ Minga – In Latin America, minga meansa call for action or a coming together ofthe community for the benefit of all.■ Harambee – In East Africa, harambeemeans working together for a commonpurpose, and encompasses both short,informal affairs as well as organized,days-long events. Harambee gatheringsplay an important role in building andmaintaining communities.■ Kutandizana – In Zambia, kutandizanameans helping each other.■ Zunde RaMambo – In Zimbabwe,Zunde RaMambo literally means‘Chief’s Granary’, but it refers to variousforms of volunteerism, such ascollective planting and harvesting,especially to help vulnerable peopleovercome hardships and benefit fromthe harvest.■ Tatawo – In the Arab region, tataworefers to volunteer labour at both thecommunity and the family level, anexchange that is offered withoutexpectation of direct equal return.■ Mikprites – The Albanian people havean informal mutual support mechanismcalled mikprites, meaning hospitality.