VOLUNTEERISM PRACTICES - A SUSTAINABILITY FACTOR IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
VOLUNTEERISM PRACTICES - A SUSTAINABILITY FACTOR IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Author(s): Magdalena Cămănaru
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Economy
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: volunteerism; prevention; social services; local authorities; community development;
Summary/Abstract: Our research proposes to evaluate the role of volunteerism as a practice that contributes to the sustainable development of communities, including in the underdeveloped ones. An overview on studies performed on volunteering practices and programs in other countries (USA, Australia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, and Philippines), along with key findings that apply to the European context was made. The premises of the main discussion theme started from The National Strategy regarding Social Inclusion and Reduction of Poverty (2014 – 2020) of the Romanian Government, which talks about the understaffed social services existent at the rural community level. The research focused on the contribution that volunteers from Community Consultative Councils have in the child protection sector and promotion of children’s rights, as preventive strategies for social services, by analysing program reports from a community development program, over a 10 years period. These structures are described in Law 272/ 2004, as having a consultative role nearby the Local Councils and Mayor’s Offices, a non-juridical status, being non-governmental, and implementing social activities at the local level, based on volunteerism. Relevant literature review and a case study on the work done by a Romanian NGO in relation with Community Consultative Councils have been the major elements of the research methodology used. The findings of our case study were consistent with others: the dialogue and partnership with local authorities and social work public services, specialized training and increased awareness on the benefits of volunteerism are the main variables involved and constitute the basis of a functional identification, reporting and referring mechanism for child protection cases. On a longer term, this contributes to the development of sustainable commu

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