Commission for Social Development

Thirty-ninth Session

6^th Meeting (PM)

VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES MUST SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT GOALS,

COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TOLD

Voluntary activities must complement and support national development goals and policies in order to touch the lives of those communities they wished to target, the representative of the Philippines told the Commission for Social Development this afternoon.

As the Commission began its general discussion “The role of volunteerism in the promotion of social development”, the speaker from the Philippines went on to say that beyond the delivery of services and training, volunteers served as catalysts encouraging people to discover their potential and capabilities, and thus leading to empowerment.  Voluntary workers also encouraged the communities they worked with to manage their resources in response to their needs, thereby bolstering their confidence to decide for themselves and manage their destinies. 

The representative of the Republic of Korea said the more governments encouraged and supported volunteering, the more their people would feel responsible as active citizens for participating in areas of social needs.  Moreover, in facilitating volunteering, especially at the local level, governments were promoting transparency and accountability in their policy-making and policy implementation.

The representative of Sweden, on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that since voluntary action was the outcome of choices by individuals and groups who wished to participate actively in the development process, it was important for governments to recognize their independent nature.  Governments should also value the contribution of volunteers, support their activities and focus on cooperation with them.

Brazil’s representative said that in advance of the General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS and the follow-up to the World Summit on Children, specific studies on the role of volunteerism should urgently be elaborated and fed into the respective preparatory processes.  That would help develop specific strategies to combat the pandemic, on the one hand, and to further promote and defend the rights of the child and the adolescent, on the other.

India’s representative said pious pronouncements about efficient use of resources were secondary to the fundamental inequity in the opportunities available to developing countries to break the endemic cycle of poverty and indignity.  If offering medicines to HIV/AIDS victims at a fraction of current

prices was a social protection measure for the most vulnerable, did not patent law arguments opposing that constitute a violation of the right to life?  Social protection could not be viewed as an end in itself, but rather as a means to allow human beings to live in dignity.  Thus, it must be a framework rather than a stand-alone concept.

Japan’s representative said that in order to give further impetus to volunteerism in the international community, Japan, together with the Netherlands, would present a draft resolution on this important sub-theme at the current session.  She hoped as many States as possible would become co-sponsors.

Before beginning its general discussion this afternoon, the Commission elected, by acclamation, Nicole Elisha (Benin), Muhammed Enayet Mowla (Bangladesh) and Anzhela Korneliouk (Belarus) as Vice-Chairpersons of its Bureau.  Faith Innerarity (Jamaica), Chairperson, said the Commission would be informed as to which Vice-Chairperson would also act as Rapporteur.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Germany, Croatia, Italy, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Netherlands, Algeria, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, France, Zambia, El Salvador, and Spain; and by Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Director of the United Nations Volunteer Programme. 

Speakers from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Council of Europe, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also addressed the Commission.

The Commission will meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m. to begin considerations of its multi-year programme of work 2002-2006.

Background

The Commission for Social Development met this afternoon to begin its general discussion on the sub-theme “The role of volunteerism in the promotion of social development” and to elect three vice-chairpersons to its Bureau.

Election of Officers

Before beginning its general discussion, the Commission elected, by acclamation, three officers to its Bureau.

Nicole Elisha (Benin), Muhammed Enayet Mowla (Bangladesh) and Anzhela Korneliouk (Belarus) will act as Vice-Chairpersons.

FAITH INNERARITY (Jamaica), Chairperson, said the Commission would be informed as to which vice-chairperson would also act as Rapporteur.

      Statements

LARS PETTERSSON (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated countries, said that many European Union member States had a long-standing practice of seconding volunteers to development projects.  The Union had been working on a coherent strategy for the further development of its support to voluntary action.  That strategy would be discussed at the forthcoming seventh European conference on social economy.

He described volunteerism as an important expression of civil participation.  In partnership with governments and the private sector, voluntary actors were a force in social development, poverty eradication, social integration and the empowerment of disadvantaged people.  Since voluntary action was the outcome of choices by individuals and groups who wished to participate actively in the development process, it was important for governments to recognize their independent nature and the value of their contribution, support their activities and focus on cooperation with them.

WOLFGANG LINCKELMANN, Director, Federal Ministry of Family Affairs Senior Citizens, Women and Youth of Germany, supporting the European Union statement, said that strengthening and promoting volunteer work ranked high on his country’s political agenda.  The German Bundestag had set up a Committee of Parliamentarians and field experts to analyse the current situation of volunteerism in Germany.  It had drawn up recommendations for public and private actions, including proposals for a favourable legal and fiscal environment.

He said that in order to promote the International Year of Volunteers, German Federal Minister Christine Bergmann had set up a national coordination committee that included relevant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other private actors.  Initiatives had been taken to develop guidelines that would enable local authorities to improve the infrastructure necessary for volunteering. That committee, as well as regional governments, local authorities and NGOs prepared events to showcase specific fields of voluntary work.

NINO ŽGANEC, Assistant Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Croatia, said that within contemporary Croatia volunteering had become a choice and necessity for citizens who wanted to participate effectively in furthering the social development of their own local communities, and society as a whole. Volunteers were no longer viewed as political opportunists, because the results of their work were increasingly evident.  Their impact at the local level had also finally become measurable.  Volunteers in Croatia were demonstrating responsibility and an awareness of the need to work together to solve vital problems.

In commemorating the International Year of Volunteers, he said Croatia was undertaking numerous activities to promote volunteerism.  There were plans to mark the Year and Day on 5 December, by presenting annual and lifetime awards to distinguished individuals who had exemplified themselves as volunteers.  In addition, a series of public forums, round-table discussions and seminars would be organized on the issue.

LIM JAE-HONG (Republic of Korea) said the more governments encouraged and supported volunteering, the more their people would feel like active citizens.  Moreover, in facilitating volunteering, especially at the local level, governments were promoting transparency and accountability in their policy-making and policy implementation.

He said information and communication activities could greatly facilitate volunteer activities.  His Government had launched an Internet database, which included information on the demands and supplies of volunteers.  That database created a network among volunteers, connected them with people in need and allowed for the exchange of information on volunteer activities, all of which contributed to the promotion of efficiency in organizing and deploying volunteers.

He encouraged youth volunteer activities as a means of promoting social values, such as mutual respect, tolerance and the protection of vulnerable groups.  It was also one way to enable youth to participate in various social issues.

ATSUKO NISHIMURA (Japan) said that with globalization and the resulting complex socio-economic relations, it was important to effectively address individual needs.  Volunteers provided services to the vulnerable, who were often beyond the reach of both Government and business.  Her country also believed in the importance of personal growth through participation in voluntary activities.  When people sharing the same social interest worked together, it created a type of wealth.

Her country also believed that, particularly in the case of the marginalized social groups and the elderly, volunteerism promoted social integration.  The promotion of human security –- ensuring the life and dignity of each individual -– was of extreme importance in the creation of a human-centred twenty-first century.  Based on its firm belief in the vital role that volunteerism could play in furthering human security, Japan would continue to provide support for it.

She said her country was ready to actively participate in efforts to implement the objectives of the International Year of Volunteers and to collaborate with other States in that respect.  In order to give further impetus to volunteerism in the international community, Japan, together with the Netherlands, would present a draft resolution on this important sub-theme at this session.  She hoped as many States as possible would become co-sponsors.

MARIANGELA ZAPPIA (Italy), endorsing Sweden’s statement on behalf of the European Union, detailed the principles upon which volunteerism in her country were based.  Volunteering also involved learning and sharing, as well as developing life experience and civil skills.  There was long tradition of volunteering in Italy, involving men, women, the young, the not-so-young and the elderly.

She said that specific legislation provided for the creation of an appropriate environment for volunteering while voluntary organizations retained their independence.  Several local offices had been created in different regions to enhance the capacity of specialized local organizations.  In addition, Italy was a major contributor to the United Nations Volunteer Programme and many Italian citizens served as volunteers in United Nations humanitarian and peacekeeping activities.

DAGMAR RATAJOVA (Czech Republic) said the spirit of her country’s long tradition of voluntary work and charitable associations had gradually reawakened during the years since 1989.  Throughout the 1990s, the Czech Republic had consistently sought to create public awareness of the importance of voluntary work, as well as ways to stimulate spontaneous volunteer action.  To further increase attention to all aspects of volunteerism, the Government had also taken many positive steps to enhance legislation regarding both non-governmental and non-profit organizations.  In that regard, an existing advisory body had been reorganized in 1998 to function as the Council for Non-governmental and Non-profit Organizations.

She noted that while such new partnerships allowed the Czech Republic’s non-profit sector to operate freely and democratically, it had now become necessary to create specific conditions and legal norms in order for them to function effectively.  There had been further progress in the area of volunteerism since the Czech Republic had recently been classified as an emerging donor State.  The country now sought to establish initiatives to provide systematic assistance to less developed nations.  The experience of individual volunteers and NGOs, specialized in identifying and placing volunteers abroad, had been invaluable in that regard.

NIGEL LAWRENCE (United Kingdom) said his Government recognized the important contribution that volunteers made to society and was committed to creating a change in the extent of voluntary and community involvement.  The Government's Active Community Initiative was designed to promote and encourage community activity and help to equip people with the training and skills needed to take their place in the process.  If people were to become more involved in their communities they must be aware of the volunteering opportunities available to them.  The Government had taken steps to address that issue as well. 

His Government recognized that individuals coming together to form informal groups in their local communities were a power for good, he said.  Nobody knew better what needed changing in a community than the people who lived there.  The Government wished to build on what was already happening in many areas and capitalize on the experience and talents of people in communities.  They were investing new resources to empower local communities through funding that would go straight to the heart of those communities. 

ADE PADMO SARWONO (Indonesia) said that in fulfilling the objectives of the International Year of Volunteers, it was necessary to go beyond congratulatory messages and find ways to incorporate volunteers as a development resource in national and international policies and programmes.  In that process, volunteers could be used as development partners to supplement various social development programmes, but they should not be used as a pool of cheap labour.  Also, they should not be used to justify government downsizing.

In promoting volunteerism, he said, there should be increased public awareness not only of the contributions made to society by volunteers, but also the benefits gained.  In addition, advances in information and communication technology should have a significant impact and facilitate better communication between governments and voluntary organizations, as well as among the organizations themselves.  An interesting fact was that 80 per cent of volunteers in Indonesia were women, working mainly in health, education and family planning activities.

DIRK-JAN VAN DEN BERG (Netherlands) said, both historically and in everyday reality, volunteering had proven to be a valuable element of social development.  The Copenhagen final document contained concrete proposals, which were confirmed and extended in the outcome document of Geneva last year.  That international agenda was reflected in his Government’s national policy on volunteering, recognizing that government alone could not meet all needs in society and, therefore, had to encourage all members of society to exercise their rights, live up to their responsibilities and participate fully.

He said the Netherlands intended to galvanize the debate within countries and among countries, with business leaders, social partners and civil society.  The International Conference on Volunteering that had taken place in Amsterdam in January had already shown an inspiring example of that debate.  Together with Japan, his delegation had taken the initiative for a resolution on volunteering and social development.

DALILA SAMAH (Algeria), noting the capacity of human beings for both good and evil, said that over time the values of mutual assistance and solidarity which formed the basis of volunteerism had progressively become part of the mores and practices of society.  Those values had been adapted to the needs of modern times, becoming a tool to overcome the inadequacies of State action, especially in the mobilization of volunteers in confronting development challenges and emergency situations.

She said that the observance of the International Year of Volunteers was a new opportunity to promote solidarity and mobilize maximum goodwill for the betterment of all.  Given the fears and uncertainties of the new millennium and the complex new challenges facing the world as a whole, voluntary action had proved a precious complement to action by States and NGOs.  Volunteerism was an opportunity to recognize and highlight the generosity, courage and sacrifice of millions of often-anonymous volunteers.

GERRY MANGAN (Ireland) said there was a strong tradition of volunteering in his country.  Volunteers went overseas, both through NGOs and through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).  Recently, Irish volunteers had been active through the UNV Programme in East Timor and Kosovo.  In recognition of the International Year of Volunteers and the important work of the UNV, Ireland Aid would contribute euros 762,000 to the programme’s core resources, representing an increase of 100 per cent over last year's level.

Last September, the Irish Government launched its White Paper on a framework for supporting voluntary activity and for developing the relationship between the State, the community and the voluntary sector.  The Paper’s publication marked a fundamental change in official attitudes to the provision of support for communities and voluntary groups, he said.  It outlined a range of practical measures to improve statutory support for the community and the voluntary sector and to strengthen the relationship between the two. 

He said the most significant long-term impact the Paper would have, however, was in the strong philosophy of support for the community and the voluntary sector.  Implicit in that philosophy was the recognition that the effective functioning of the voluntary sector was an essential requirement for the well-being of Ireland’s society.

CORAZON ALMA DE LEON (Philippines) said voluntary activities must complement and support national development goals and policies in order for those initiatives to touch the lives of communities they wished to target.  Her country’s experience confirmed that the goals of social development were accomplished much more easily when volunteers worked as partners of government in improving the lives of their citizens.

In the Philippines, she said volunteer service was rooted in national culture with the traditional spirit of “Bayanihan”, meaning mutual help among members of a community.  It had evolved in time, influenced by cultural and environmental changes to become what it was today –- a tool for development and nation-building.  Individuals, organizations, youth, students, professionals, public servants and retirees had all become part of a ready pool of human resources for volunteer activity to assist Government in attaining its development goals.

She said the role of volunteers extended beyond the delivery of services and training.  Volunteers served as catalysts who encouraged the people they worked with to discover their potential and capabilities.  That led to empowerment.  Volunteers encouraged the communities they worked with to manage their resources in response to their needs, thereby bolstering their confidence to make their own decision and manage their destinies.  Volunteerism must, therefore, be welcomed and supported, as its role in development was clearly mapped out and the benefits derived were evident.  Under the guidance and direction of Government, volunteerism became a useful tool for complementing the efforts of Government and other sectors of society in achieving the goal of social development.

A.K. BHATTACHARJEE (India), noting that volunteerism was an ancient social behaviour in his country, said the Gandhian movement was quintessentially based on the spirit of voluntary work.  India perceived social protection not only from a human rights perspective, but also in a framework encompassing access to resources, adequate livelihood, basic social services for all and, at the minimum, living in dignity.  Social protection was undeniably linked to vulnerability and poverty eradication, which was, in turn, inextricably linked to generation of resources through economic growth.

Pious pronouncements about efficient use of resources were secondary to the fundamental inequity in opportunities available to developing countries to break the endemic cycle of poverty and indignity, he said.  If offering medicines to HIV/AIDS victims at a fraction of current prices was a social protection measure for the most vulnerable, did not patent law arguments opposing that constitute a violation of the right to life -– the most basic human right of all?  Social protection could not be viewed as an end in itself, but rather as a means to allow human beings to live in dignity.  Thus, it must be a framework rather than a stand-alone concept.

O'NEIL FRANCIS (Jamaica) said that volunteerism constituted a basic expression of human solidarity and was intertwined with Jamaican culture.  In that country, there was a long tradition of small informal rotating-credit associations, welfare groups, and a variety of service and religious groups and youth and community-based organizations.  In addition, numerous formal organizations for volunteer service had been established.  Jamaica participated actively in the 1999 workshop on the International Year, which recognized that the need for volunteer effort was greater than ever.

In that context, he said, activities related to the International Year had attracted wide support at all levels and were expected to serve as a basis for review of existing policy and for the consideration of new policy recommendations on ways to improve volunteer participation for national development.  A sustainable outcome of the Year's activities would be the establishment of a mechanism to field volunteers in the greatest areas of need.  In all societies, the Year's activities should help promote social capital as a critical element in human welfare, and he called on the international community to build on the initiatives to be undertaken in the months ahead.

BLANCA LILIA GARCIA (Mexico) said in her country voluntary action was seen as an intrinsic value that was present throughout society, as well as a cultural expression of free interaction between participants.  Today, volunteerism had gone beyond the simple idea of charity and was creating a civic awareness that contributed to development through concerted action.  No State effort could succeed without the participation and support of the voluntary sector.  Her current Government would provide greater support to voluntary groups, so that they could operate freely in all spheres of social development.

She said women were fundamental to volunteer efforts, having been decisive in identifying and implementing community projects.  They had also been invaluable in emergency situations.  Voluntary action and civic participation grew when people received information on how they could get involved in community programmes.

CHRISTOPHE PHILLIBERT (France) said his country’s planned activities to observe the International Year of Volunteers would be held under the aegis of international partnership to make it more visible.  Foreign States would be invited to attend the observances.

He said that through a law passed last March, France, having abolished compulsory military service, had recruited 8,000 young people, previously working in the military, as international volunteers.  Those 8,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 20 years would be required to make their services available in foreign countries.  That would give them moral satisfaction and pride in having contributed to improving the lot of mankind.  Young people needed volunteerism to develop their personalities at the beginning of adult life and to make them feel useful throughout their lives.

FERNANDO E.L. DE S. COIMBRA (Brazil) said that while voluntary service was an important component of successful social development and could expand resources, solve problems and improve the quality of life, it was not a substitute for paid employment or government action.  In Brazil, the traditional social process that allowed for solidarity and mutual action had, in the last

30 years, become increasingly associated with more structured mechanisms of participation and social responsibility, involving the private sector and resulting in a more open, diversified and democratic society.

Many of the suggestions contained in the reports before the Commission and put forward during the expert panel discussion were already in place in Brazil or were being considered in support of volunteers.  Nevertheless, he wanted to see a more in-depth analysis of the mechanisms used to estimate the economic contribution of volunteerism to society.  Such an evaluation could help policy- makers better understand the strategic role of volunteerism in promoting socio-economic development.  Further studies could also be undertaken to absorb the lessons that surely might be grasped from the research into the traditions of volunteering that were rooted in national cultures.

In advance of the General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS and the follow-up to the World Summit on Children, specific studies on the role of volunteerism should urgently be elaborated and fed into the respective preparatory processed, he said.

M.G. NKOLE (Zambia) said her country recognized traditional forms of volunteerism at the village level, as well as modern volunteerism drawn from empowered and registered groups.  There were also international volunteer organizations and service organizations originating from outside the country, but run by local leadership.  Zambians had lately taken up the challenge of serving as volunteers in other countries, especially in those experiencing conflict or natural disasters.

Zambia had decided to join the world in giving formal recognition to volunteerism, she said.  A national steering committee comprising stakeholders from the Government, the private sector, NGOs and individuals had been put in place, forming a strong partnership between Government and civil society.  The committee’s areas of focus included planning activities for the International Year of Volunteers and beyond; recognizing individuals whose contributions had made an impact on communities; and creating the impetus to train citizens in disaster preparedness and mitigation.

ENRIQUE GARCIA GONZALEZ (El Salvador) said his country’s experience with volunteerism went back centuries.  The Government recognized the role played by volunteers in the social development of the nation.  That was why it had carried out a number of activities within the framework of the International Year to commemorate those achievements.  Key amongst those activities was an information strategy to publicize the work done by volunteers in the country. 

He said his country had also witnessed the achievements and benefits of volunteerism in recent days.  In the aftermath of the January earthquake, the media had showed the courage and commitment of the thousands of men and women who were contributing their personal energies and commitment to assist victims and rebuild the country.  El Salvador had a moral debt to those who had given help to enable the country to continue in difficult times.

He said the impressive role played by women in voluntary activities in their communities had to be highlighted, as well.  It was also important to strengthen the links between volunteer networks and public institutions, as well as other social organizations.

JOSÉ ANTONIO IBÁÑEZ (Spain) said there was need for renewal of strategies related to volunteerism.  It was vital to consolidate options and shortfalls. New strategic guidelines were being promoted by his Government. Among those guidelines was an imperative for public administration to improve the structure and organization of volunteer-related cooperation.  The Spanish State Administration was also developing an inter-ministerial action plan in support of voluntary work.  Spain’s regional governments had to create and expand the cooperation networks and multiply the lines of action.  Local councils were also being developed as privileged areas for the development of voluntary work.  Further, there was a call for more active involvement by private initiatives. 

He said NGOs must also join efforts and create cooperation networks.  The improvement and extension of voluntary training mechanisms would be considered a priority.  Quality control benchmarking would be introduced in the programmes of NGOs to ensure efficient management.  In addition, communication and information programmes would be launched so that Spanish society would become aware of the activities carried out by NGOs and other volunteer organizations.

ZOFIA OLSZOWSKA, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said voluntary service gave young people an opportunity to exercise their citizenship and a chance to contribute to human development at the local, national or international levels.  It was also a powerful source of education.  The notion of service and the focus on the real development impact of voluntary programmes and projects was crucial.  Such factors as personal and career development opportunities must not be the main consideration in designing voluntary services.

JOS LEMMERS, Council of Europe, said that voluntary action represented a substantial proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) in many European States.  By precipitating State action through the creation of new types of situations for voluntary action, it could also be a source of employment.  The Council was studying ways to create a genuine culture of service.  The Council was working for the ratification by the Committee of Ministers of a European convention on long-term service by young people.  It was hoped that European Union member States and others would also eventually ratify it.  There were also plans to sponsor an annual televised contest designed to reward outstanding individual and group achievements in voluntary action.

ENCHO GOSPODINOV, Permanent Observer for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said the International Year of Volunteers and the efforts of the UNV had greatly contributed to revalidation of volunteers and the debate surrounding the issue.  The fact that the Commission was focusing on volunteers today was very encouraging.

He said there was fairly broad agreement on the nature of the benefits that volunteers brought to society.  Many had expressed worries over the relationship between volunteers and governments.  Those worries were overstated. He believed that whether volunteering grew and became an effective force would depend, to a large extent, on the framework established by governments.  Volunteering should not be regulated, but should be given a good legal framework and actively supported.  He looked to governments to create an enabling environment not only for volunteers, but for voluntary organizations.

DON NAJIRA, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said volunteerism had the fullest support of the WMO.  The impact of voluntary action was not limited to areas classically belonging to charity and philanthropy.  The impact of daily voluntary action was felt within the WMO and way beyond.  For instance, data sent to his organization from volunteers at the scene of a disaster was important information for meteorologists.  That data saved lives and helped reduce damage to property and national economies.  Volunteers also safeguarded the environment -- preventive measures could only be put in place if the extent of a threat was known.  Volunteer efforts in that area were key.

SHARON CAPELING-ALAKIJA, Executive Director of the United Nations Volunteer Programme, in her concluding statement, acknowledged Japan’s key role in working with the programme to promote the International Year of Volunteers in Asia, Africa, Latin America and elsewhere. 

She also acknowledged the contributions of all the other countries and organizations that had held activities to promote the observance.  It was hoped that the Commission would incorporate the new insights and understandings, discussed during the week, into their future deliberations.

* *** *