Caravan touring governorates to promote culture of volunteerism

AMMAN — In a bid to further spread and institutionalise the culture of volunteerism across the country, the UN Volunteer programme (UNV) on Saturday launched the Caravan of Volunteerism.

The caravan, which is touring all governorates from October 17 to 28 to carry out voluntary activities, is implemented within the regional “Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future” project.

The regional project — which is also carried out in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen — aims to facilitate the involvement of young people in humanitarian development through volunteerism. 

It also provides young people with a platform for self-expression and it helps boost their social involvement, according to organisers.

Volunteerism is a “useful bridge” between education and the labour market, as it develops volunteers’ practical skills, according to
UNFPA Jordan Country Director Dan Baker, who spoke on behalf of UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan Edward Kallon.

“The goal of the Caravan of Volunteerism is to reach all 12 governorates and to reach out to over 25,000 young people,” he said, adding that the move is also an opportunity to recognise the young volunteers across the country who are already making a difference in their communities.

During the journey that the caravan will undertake, it will meet with volunteer and civil society organisations and will spread the message of volunteerism to those who are not yet familiar with it, Baker said at a ceremony to launch the caravan.

For his part, Sattam Awad, Higher Youth Council secretary general, cited volunteerism as the “highest form of service” one can help others with, adding that it also entails giving back to the country and its institutions.

He added that the council, through its 170 offices, seeks to enhance the spirit of volunteerism among the younger generation through programmes and activities that “systemise” voluntary work in Jordan, in partnership with local communities.

“There is a need to further invest in the potential of young Jordanians and to break the isolation that modern technologies may inflect on them,” Awad said at the launch event, held at the Amman Youth Hostel at Al Hussein Youth City.

The caravan campaign seeks to examine volunteerism environments across the country and aims at identifying challenges facing volunteers, in order to find solutions to improve their experience, said National Youth Development Specialist Sanad Nawar.

He added that the campaign gives “equal opportunities for volunteers to document their initiatives”, noting that the a local database will be developed to list these initiatives.

Meanwhile, UNV Programme Officer Ilaria Simeone described volunteerism as “the act of giving out of love and compassion”, citing the capability of voluntary work to transform lives, including that of the volunteer.

“When you act to enrich the lives of others, you will enrich [your own] life,” she noted.

The caravan initiative is held in partnership with other UN agencies, universities, community organisations and youth initiatives across the Kingdom.

Participants and volunteers will be sharing their experiences and photos via social media outlets using the hashtag #UNVJO_Caravan.