In the UK, volunteering should be recognised as a legitimate job-seeking activity for young adults on Jobseeker’s Allowance, according to a cross-party inquiry focusing on volunteers between the ages of 18 and 24. The Morgan Inquiry recommended setting up an accredited volunteering scheme that matched unemployed young adults with skill-enhancing volunteering.  Visit site

Middletown, Connecticut, USA: In a speech referencing John F. Kennedy's ideas on the US Peace Corps, presidential hopeful Barack Obama stressed the importance of volunteering. He received big applause by saying he would offer all college students a $4,000 tax credit to help pay for college - but only if they commit to public service, such as the Peace Corps or teaching in an inner-city school or working in a homeless shelter.   Visit site

Beijing, China: A newspaper editorial from China highlights the vital contribution of volunteerism in earthquake relief efforts. "They sometimes might appear less than organized. There even were pleas once for them to refrain from entering disaster zones on their own so that professional relief workers had their way. But we cannot afford to imagine what things would have been like were it not for the compassionate involvement of the now-omnipresent volunteers..."  Visit site

Fundamental philanthropy, it seems, has become more mainstream in recent years than ever before. The goal in life seems to be changing. An elemental emphasis on 'philanthropy' has recently shifted to a popular focus of 'social responsibility'. And the truth is, even though we may not be rich, famous celebrities, we all have something powerful that must be given to society!  Read article

Dr Ahmad Hussein Sakr. In Islam there is a strong ethic of volunteerism. This does not simply extend to running study circles or fundraising for the masjid. As Muslims, we see our role as world citizens. The idea of working for a better society or community shouldn't be limited to the Muslim community but should extend to the broader non-Muslim community as well. Because we live in that community too, whatever weaknesses are present affect us also.  Visit site