Summary
Basic Objectives of the Initiative
Volunteering: Clarification of the Term
What is Needed in the Region

SUMMARY
The United Nations has designated 2011 as International Year of Volunteers + 10. This Initiative provides a framework to capitalize on IYV+10 to motivate individuals, organizations, service institutions, schools, universities, government agencies, and socially responsible businesses throughout the Arab World to work together to strengthen and improve volunteering in the region.

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BASIC OBJECTIVES OF THE INITIATIVE

1. Bring together key people in volunteerism in the Arab World to share knowledge, experiences, and needs regarding volunteering in the region.
2. Provide basic training, as well as orientation to other training opportunities available, with the goal of expanding and improving the core of specialists in volunteerism in the Arab World, drawing on Arab cultural traditions and experiences, as well as expertise from within the region and worldwide.
3. Develop effective service programs for elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools, technical schools, and universities that foster a culture of volunteering.
4. Provide funding opportunities for those who would develop major sustainable volunteer development projects in their countries in 2011.
5. Provide information, models, support, and advocacy for the development of national volunteer policies in countries of the region.
6. Develop mechanisms for networking, resource development, sharing, collaboration, and mutual support among those who promote volunteering in the region that will last long after 2011.

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VOLUNTEERING: Clarification of the Term
The term "volunteering", as used in this Initiative, has three criteria:

1. The work is done for good- for the benefit of society.
2. The person does it for free (without financial compensation for the services provided).
3. The person freely chooses to do it (not required or coerced).

This is different from most UN Volunteering, Peace Corps, and other programs that give cost-of-living stipends to “volunteers”. Volunteers, however, can be compensated for expenses incurred to volunteer (transportation, costs of a uniform, meal allowance, etc.) While a few people can be full-time volunteers according to these criteria, in most cases, this kind of volunteering is part-time, and done alongside of one’s work or studies (after work/school, weekends, holidays, and vacations). It is an integral part of citizenship and civic engagement, and can either be done within existing institutions or as new initiatives to address a social need.

This includes volunteering for:

1. Service institutions (hospitals, schools, elderly homes, institutions for those with disabilities, museums, orphanages, concert halls, etc.)
2. Voluntary organizations that serve a diversity of causes
3. Government agencies (municipalities, ministries of health, environment, education, etc.)
4. Emergency preparedness and relief
5. Special initiatives to serve a short term need

With very few exceptions, people of all ages, abilities, and social circumstances can volunteer, given appropriate opportunities to do so, including:

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WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE REGION

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