Anyone observing societies today clearly realizes how volunteer work has become a fundamental pillar in their construction and how it promotes social cohesion among members of a single community. Volunteer work is a humanitarian practice closely linked to all meanings of goodness and noble work aimed at building and elevating society.
By volunteer work, we mean the contribution of individuals to social welfare and development efforts, whether through opinions, work, funding, or other forms. It is based on individuals cooperating with one another to meet the needs of their community. This indicates that volunteer work is primarily based on a clear understanding by volunteers of the needs of the community in which they live.
How does volunteer work fulfill its inherent role in building a future society characterized by peace and love? This was evident in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its seventeen goals, which were adopted by all UN member states in early September 2015. This plan outlined a far-reaching roadmap for all countries and stakeholders to work together to create a world of secure prosperity, social inclusion, and sustainable development. It also sought to conserve natural resources and ensure that no one is left behind. Volunteerism, with its volunteers, is one of the tools that contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by overcoming the challenges that hinder the progress and well-being of societies. As stated in the report, which was commissioned by the Secretariat of the Action Plan for Integrating Volunteerism into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and published in July 2020: “As we write this report, the world is reeling from a pandemic that highlights our common humanity and reinforces our need to draw on our collective strengths in addressing global challenges. The good news is that volunteers, both men and women, have demonstrated the critical importance of working together, perhaps more than ever, to overcome the challenges ahead. We only need to look at the daily headlines to see firsthand evidence of so many people volunteering to meet the needs of their communities with courage, commitment, and creativity.” While “an estimated one billion volunteers annually seek to help their communities or make a difference on issues they care about,” according to the United Nations Volunteers Programme 2018, we must nevertheless agree that “volunteerism is neither a magic solution nor a simple proposition. The contributions it enables require alignment within a complex and interconnected context of social, political, economic, and cultural forces that are undergoing profound changes,” according to the 2015 World Review of Volunteerism issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This means that there must be bodies that organize and manage volunteer work so that it serves the common interest of society and maximizes its outcomes in building a more compassionate and inclusive future for society. This is also what brings us in the Kingdom of Bahrain a sense of comfort and reassurance, under the prosperous reign of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, may God protect him, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him. Society is replete with numerous civil society associations and humanitarian organizations that provide a coherent societal framework for unifying volunteer efforts to achieve societal goals and integrating their achievements to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This has given civil society organizations a vital and effective influence across all segments of society, proving to be a fundamental pillar of the progress and development witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain in its comprehensive development journey. "The future of volunteering means investing in a long journey towards achieving sustainable development, guided by a shared goal: building a future in which everyone feels reassured," is one of the answers to a survey on shaping the future of volunteering. As evidence of the importance of this and the content of this article, the United Nations annually launches the "United Nations Volunteers Program," open year-round to all international undergraduate and graduate students, new students, and applicants from around the world. This program invites volunteers to join a paid global volunteer program, one of the best opportunities to work with UN volunteer interns. Furthermore, volunteering is an important means of providing volunteers with well-being, pride, and self-confidence. It strengthens volunteers' desire for life and confidence in the future, enhances their sense of belonging and participation in building society, develops their personal, academic, and practical abilities and skills, and allows them to express their opinions and ideas on public issues of concern to society. It also provides them with the opportunity to perform services themselves and solve problems through their own efforts. In light of this dedication of volunteers to serving their countries and communities, community institutions and leaders are required to provide greater opportunities for volunteer contributions and encourage them, train them and assign tasks to them in a way that organizes their energies and develops their skills, and create projects specific to them that aim to foster a sense of belonging and initiative within them. The media should play a greater role in publicizing the volunteer activities needed by governmental and civil institutions. We are all required to honor volunteers and develop programs of benefits and incentives for them, expressing societal gratitude for their efforts, for which hats are raised.