Young People take a leading role

Malta Independent Saturday, 8 January 2011, 00:00 Last update: about 13 years ago

The voluntary sector has an important role in the enhancement of the social sector and this year we are encouraged to better appreciate the role of voluntary organisations in our country.

The European Union has dedicated this year to volunteering as it believes that voluntary work has a central role in advancement of our societies. The EU also recognises the benefits of voluntary work to the individual. In dedicating time to volunteering, volunteers experience great satisfaction from helping others, engage in social activities and acquire skills that improve their employability opportunities.

These are the results of voluntary work but many volunteers give a contribution because they believe in the main purpose of their organisation which in many cases is a social purpose. This is an important aspect of volunteering and organisations in the voluntary sector must ensure that they remain focused on their main purpose. It is therefore important that voluntary organisations collaborate and cooperate so as to enhance the sector and increase their access to resources. Competition is healthy but in the voluntary sector, cooperation and collaboration should be the main purpose.

The voluntary sector and the challenges of youth voluntary organisations were highlighted during a seminar organised in December by Young Entrepreneurs and Leaders (YEL) in collaboration with the University Students Body (KSU) and the National Youth Council (KNZ). Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Clyde Puli, Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, Kenneth Wain and Chairperson of the Council for Voluntary Organisations, Robert Farrugia, participated in the discussion.

Young people outlined as a challenge the need of networking and cooperating so as to supersede limitations related to resources and finance. Creativity is a key tool for ensuring sustainability of the voluntary sector. Through their creative initiative, many organisations manage to organise activities with very little costs being incurred. Training is also an important tool for sustaining and enhancing the sector and the provision of professional training is a challenge to voluntary organisations but an opportunity for the coordination bodies of the sector.

The year dedicated to volunteering is also an opportunity for researchers and students. It should serve to encourage research on the sector as we can only improve the sector if it is professionally analysed from its micro- and macro-environment. The discussion also tackled the ‘snowball’ effect of volunteering especially amongst young people. With many being influenced by their friends’ behaviour, an altruistic act by a young person may encourage his/her friends to also participate in the positive activity.

A voluntary organisation has a purpose to positively influence society and voluntary work gives a positive purpose to the volunteer. Young people are strengthened in character and personality when they engage in voluntary work and the purpose of a voluntary activity gives a scope to their life.

The voluntary sector in Malta is vibrant and diverse. For many years, the sector has grown with very little regulation to support it. The enactment of the Voluntary Organisations Act in 2007 was a positive step forward, safeguarding the right of freedom of association and assembly whilst allowing the sector to be better organised and structured. The year dedicated to volunteering is however an opportunity to assess the current legislative situation and the changes occurring since the enactment of the Voluntary Organisations Act. We must continuously seek ways of improving the sector in its administrative, organisational and legislative aspects but throughout this year we are being given the opportunity to focus more profoundly on the challenges that we face as volunteers.

I augur that 2011 will be a year on which we look back to and attribute the success of projects that improve the voluntary sector. I look forward to working with other voluntary organisations and meeting volunteers in common projects, in the months to come.