Integrating volunteering in the next decade | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

The period since 2012 has seen continued growth in public recognition of volunteerism as a common asset through research, international declarations, celebratory events and the promotion of volunteer opportunities for diverse and marginalized people, such as women and youth. The second State of the World’s Volunteerism Report: Transforming Governance was published in 2015.

Supportive policies and laws, volunteer management standards, funding, volunteer accreditation and volunteer capacity development are increasing the facilitation of volunteerism for peace and development. Innovative and diverse volunteering schemes and infrastructures are widening opportunities for volunteers to engage from the public and private sectors and schools, and from other countries, including in the South-South context. Online technology, in particular, is expanding opportunities for people from around the world to volunteer formally and informally from grass-roots to global levels. Also expanding are networks and platforms to exchange volunteering practices and research and facilitate joint programming. National and global discussions on the post-2015 United Nations development framework have seen unprecedented levels of volunteer-supported community engagement.

Evidence exists that when volunteerism is integrated into national development strategies and United Nations plans, people are increasingly able to contribute to achievements in education, health, governance, sustainable livelihoods, security and peace, environment, gender and social inclusion. More attention, however, will need to be paid in order to ensure the social and physical protection of the huge cadre of volunteers.

Recognizing both the progress made on volunteerism and the continuing need to recognize its essential contributions better, the plan of action identifies the following three strategic objectives for deepening the integration of volunteering in peace and development for the next decade and beyond: (a) bolstering ownership of the development agenda through enhanced civic engagement and widening the enabling environment for citizen action; (b) integrating volunteerism into national and global strategies for the post-2015 development agenda; and (c) measuring volunteerism to contribute to a holistic understanding of the engagement of people and their wellbeing and be part of the monitoring of the sustainable development goals.