Volunteering as a means to social inclusion

from a Biblical perspective

Jac Franken - Edyn/Eurodiaconia , November 8th 2011

>Intro

>>Buzz groups: ‘my favorite volunteer in the bible

and his/her motives’

>>>Some biblical reflections

What is volunteering

What is social inclusion

As a means to… > Does it work?

From a biblical perspective

http://jocote.org/

“Obligatory volunteering”

Dr.H.Meeuws: Diaconie. Diss. okt.2011; publisher Narratio

Surface: social and personal benefits

> volunteering is useful and gives fun

> instrumental and functional

Deep structure: values

>volunteering is a duty and a virtue

>existential

Social inclusion:

- multidimensional well being- social, economic / financial, cultural - opportunities and resources- circumstances and contextuality- individual and group / people- layered process: micro - meso - macro- bonding – bridging – linking - being seen and respected: people talk to you- participation, having a job and a house- recognition and self esteem

How to invest in social inclusion:

-bonding (own group, family)

-bridging (other groups, neighbourhood)

-linking (organizations and institutions)

My favorite volunteer in the bible is ……?

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Characteristics:

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The impact of enduring systemic poverty, conflict, and climate change

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

Liberia - 1984 Horn of Africa 2011

China 2011

The golden rule:

One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself

Diaconia:

the Christian service of care, presence, solidarity and resistence

for / with those in need

Diaconal volunteering:

an act of compassion and solidarity