YOUTHS AND VOLUNTEERISM

Young people represent at least 18 per cent of the world’s population. In Nepal, youth (15-40 years) constitute about 40 per cent of the population. These cohorts represent a critical constituency for shaping of nation's future and are the pioneers of socio-cultural, political and economic reform. They are the crucial segments of nation’s development. While the lifestyles and attitudes of young people today are out looked with negative stereotypes, many youths in the country are actually the productive members of the society. The majority of youths in this country also engage in some form of volunteer activity, and many see the value of serving others. Youth volunteerism is becoming one of the keys to address development challenges.

Through greater involvement, youth volunteering facilitates access to work and contributes to forming young leaders for today and tomorrow. Volunteerism serves a valuable role in reaching special populations, such as orphans, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities and groups.

When youth get involved in volunteerism, benefits are reaped by almost everyone concerned- the target groups (children, poor, disabled, etc.), the community and most especially the involving youth themselves. Volunteerism has important implications for positive youth development. It encourages a sense of service and responsibility towards others, provides an avenue for developing skills and relationships, and facilitates the development of various social and leadership skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, time and task management, and organization.

Youth volunteerism has several benefits. Through volunteerism, youths can make services available to more people in the community, often helping the neediest population and/or areas that require special attention (schools, orphanage, old-age homes, etc.). In doing so, youths gain opportunities to learn new set of skills and provides valuable work experience. As youths intermingle with various organizations and people during volunteerism, it strengthens bonds to the community and broadens their support network, exposing them to people with common interests. Volunteerism provides many of the developmental assets of youth. The experience of volunteerism can help develop many social competencies. It helps in the realizations of one’s own leadership potentials, confidence, self-esteem and above all his/her own ability to make a difference.

UN Secretary, Ban Ki Moon stated, “Youth are a transformative force; they are creative, resourceful and enthusiastic agents of change, be it in public squares or cyberspace.  From their pivotal role in efforts to achieve freedom, democracy and equality, youth have energetically demonstrated yet again their capacity and desire to turn the tide of history and tackle global challenges.”

Photo Courtesy: Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town