A Comprehensive Guide to Volunteering for International Volunteer Day
Empowering Change Through Action: Your Path to Meaningful Volunteering
International Volunteer Day, decreed by the United Nations General Assembly, occurs annually on December 5. This day represents a special opportunity for volunteers and their organizations to commemorate their contributions, share their guiding principles, and showcase their activities. In this article, we will explore the nature of volunteering and various ways you can start volunteering today.
What is volunteering?
Volunteering is the act of offering services or skills without expectation of monetary compensation. It involves contributing time and effort to support a cause or community. It is usually driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the planet or the lives of others.
According to the United Nations (UN):
More than one billion people volunteer globally for solidarity and humanity, for people and the planet.
There are many ways for one to volunteer, it could be volunteering in your local community, volunteer abroad, or volunteer online.
1. Volunteering in your community
This option is probably the easiest one. The best way to do this is to find an NGO (non-governmental organization) you like in your town and check if they have any events coming-up soon. Some popular international NGOs who may operate in your city include:
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): Also known as Doctors Without Borders, this organization provides medical aid in crisis situations across the globe.
Oxfam International: An NGO working together to combat poverty and injustice worldwide.
Save the Children: An NGO dedicated to improving the lives of children globally through various development and educational programs.
Red Cross: A renowned humanitarian institution known for its emergency response and development work globally.
Greenpeace: An influential environmental organization active globally, Greenpeace engages volunteers in various activities, including advocacy, environmental campaigns, and direct action.
If you are currently working for a company, ask them if there are any volunteering events planned that you can join. If not, go to our local HR and suggest to organize something together. Possibilities are infinite, it is just about taking a first step to get started.
You can also find local volunteering opportunities at Brightest by signing up for free here.
2. Volunteering abroad
One other option would be to go abroad for a longer period of time to volunteer. The United Nations offers volunteering opportunities as short as 1 week long up to one year. Visit their website to discover more.
The European Union also has its own program called the “European Solidarity Corps” which offers individuals between 18 and 30 years old the opportunity to go abroad as part of a volunteering program.
Another great source of volunteering opportunities is the website Workaway. The concept of workaway is for you to be hosted and provided a meal during the duration of your stay in a country while working a few hours a day. Many NGOs use this website to look for volunteers.
3. Volunteering online
If you cannot physically go somewhere to volunteer, that is also fine. You can volunteer from the comfort of your home too.
Here are some ideas of how you could help an organization online:
Virtual Tutoring or Mentoring: Offer educational support or mentorship to students in subjects you are knowledgeable about, or provide career guidance and life skills coaching for free.
Translation work: If you're proficient in more than one language, volunteer to translate documents, websites, or communications for non-profit organizations. Here is an initiative you could join on the platform Brightest.
Online Counseling or Support: Provide emotional support or counseling through platforms that connect volunteers with individuals needing someone to talk to, especially in areas like mental health or crisis support.
Digital Marketing for Charities: Help charities or NGOs with digital marketing, social media management, content creation, or website design to increase their online presence and reach.
If everyone did campaign
As this article demonstrates, there is a multitude of ways for you to start volunteering today. If everyone volunteered, we would be able to tackle significant problems in this world such as poverty, hunger, inequalities, biodiversity loss, or climate change.
The United Nations launched the campaign “If everyone did” to invite more people to volunteer. Join the movement and post pictures of you volunteering with the hashtag #IfEveryoneDid and #IVD2023.
Share this article to initiate the conversation about volunteering with a friend, colleague, or family member for us to be able to make a difference together.
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