Taking Volunteerism to Professional Level

Volunteerism is being inculcated within the Malaysian society today. At the higher education institutions, volunteerism is being actively promoted. Yet, are there any parties monitoring the volunteers to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities professionally? The first of this two part series dwells into this matter. KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- It is part of Malaysian culture to help one another voluntarily and it has only helped to bond communities and neighbourhoods. Volunteer work like 'gotong royong' (cooperation among people to attain a shared goal) in the neighbourhood and within the community during celebrations, festivals and even poignant occasions like funerals is very much a Malaysian way of life. However, things are different now. Volunteerism in the community is increasingly waning, and especially among the younger generation individualistic pursuits take centrestage. While it may not seem so to youngsters, it is a great loss as volunteerism helps to instill many positive attributes - forbearance, caring, teamwork, patriotism and respect for fellow humans. Through volunteerism, both the society and the individual benefit by strengthening the resolve, trust and solidarity among people. EFFORTS TO INCULCATE A VOLUNTEERISM CULTURE In line with this, the initiatives taken by the government through the 1Malaysia Youth For You (1M4U) programme launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak in July attests the government's resolve in rejuvenating and inculcating volunteerism among the younger generation. However, it is also time to improve the volunteer's capabilities to reflect greater commitment and in ensuring that the positive values learned through such activities were appreciated, noted the Chairman of the Inter University Volunteer Council (MASKUM) Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Fadzil Che Din. Nevertheless, volunteerism among undergraduates particularly the younger generation is on the rise, thanks to the efforts taken by various parties. Dr Mohamed Fadzil, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), noted that this development was based on the findings of a study conducted in 2010 when he was the director of the Social Institute of Malaysia. The studies conducted over seven local public universities revealed that the younger generation has a high degree of knowledge in volunteerism and its participation in volunteer work has increased by 70 per cent. ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION Dr Mohamed Fadzil noted that volunteerism among the undergraduates is being promoted by many parties within the universities - Student Representative Body, Student Associations, residential colleges, student development department, Undergraduate Volunteer Foundation and the Inter University Volunteer Council. "Volunteerism or community work is mandatory for graduates specialising in engineering, medical, and teaching. "Apart from this, there are also co-curriculum activities that call for volunteerism apart from student associations that organise volunteer work for its members," he said. THE POSITIVE VALUES IN VOLUNTEERISM The virtues of volunteerism have prompted many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to establish their own volunteer teams as well - Skuad Sukarelawan 1 Malaysia, Kelab Putra 1 Malaysia, National Service Alumni Volunteers, 1M4U and others. Many ministries have also established their respective volunteer teams, namely the Ministry of Home Affairs, Higher Education Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, among others. Volunteerism provides satisfaction and instills positive values. Volunteerism also helps individuals in terms of capacity building and improving their confidence. Dr Fadzil notes that the 2010 study found 70 per cent undergraduates concurred that their participation in volunteer work has helped in improving their confidence, enriching their experiences and improving their social networking skills. Sincere efforts, without being compelled, and being rewarded through the concept of serving and sharing voluntarily help in creating well rounded individuals. The spirit of volunteerism should be inculcated as early as five or six years of age so that future Malaysian generations may appreciate better the noble deeds in helping fellow humans. SEEKING GREATER COMMITMENT Many harbour misconceptions over the exact role of volunteers, including the wrongly held perception on the role of volunteers during calamities or other community events. Such misconceptions are due to the poor understanding of the role of volunteers and can be overcome through training, sharing of experiences and information. Dr Fadzil noted that taking volunteerism to a professional level calls for professional training. "There has to be a training curriculum, systematic learning process, implementation methodology and reward systems like issuing certificates of recognition. But who are the responsible parties? Who is to be held accountable for all efforts? Dr Fadzil said that there has to be coordination between all parties and the ministry to implement the best training system. At the university level, there has to be a training curriculum that could provide recognition for the students involved in volunteer work. "All universities should accept volunteer activities as an alternative to learning credits outside lectures. For example, spending twenty hours as a volunteer with a rural community is more meaningful and effective compared to the same time spent in the lecture room," he pointed out. Moreover, there has to be a database on people involved in volunteerism to identify their activities and skills. THE MALAYSIAN YOUTH COUNCIL'S ROLE As professional volunteers could make the difference, the Malaysian Youth Council is working in this direction through short term courses for youths. Its President Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee noted that more volunteers are needed for activities within and without the country especially after the 1M4U was launched. "Volunteers have to be trained from time to time as they come and go. Some are fresh to the system, some have been there for long, so we conduct courses according to geographical zones. "The three days two night course began on Sept 28 and will continue in different zones until Nov 18," he said. THE COURSE Other than presenting working papers, local and foreign veterans will also share their experience in volunteerism. Majli Belia Malaysia (MBM) has created numerous volunteers of distinction and they too will be sharing their experience. Other than that, the discussions will look into the future scenario, especially the direction for volunteer work and provide inputs through the writings of active volunteers in the country. "What is important is that we don't want duplication. MBM will only focus on areas untouched by others. "The NGOs involved in volunteerism are concentrated at the federal level, so MBM will try to get things moving at the district and state level," he said. -- BERNAMA