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Rue Joseph II, 166, 1000 Bruxelles, +32 2 234 38 60www.eurodiaconia.org - [email protected]
Eurodiaconia is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (2007-2013). Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.
Eurodiaconia is a federation of organisations, institutions and churches providing social and health services and education on a Christian value base throughout Europe. Eurodiaconia is registered as an AISBL in Belgium.
April 10, 2023
Volunteering in Diaconia – empowering, transforming and reconciling civil society
Brussels, BE
WHO ARE WE?Platform for diaconal actors in 22 European countries
Diaconal department of churches (Church of Sweden)
Church related providers of social and health services (Diakonie Osterreich, Diaconia Valdese)
Christian based providers of social and health services (Kofoedskole in Denmark)
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Volunteering in Diaconia
EURODIACONIA MEMBERSHIP
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Volunteering in Diaconia
MISSION STATEMENT
Eurodiaconia represents a dynamic, Europe wide community of organisations founded in the Christian faith and working in the tradition of Diaconia, who are committed to a Europe of solidarity, equality and justice.
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Volunteering in Diaconia
OUR GOALS
1. Transformation through Praxis
2. Transformation through Advocacy
3. Transformation through Identity and Values
VOLUNTEERING IN DIACONIA
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Volunteering in Diaconia
LOCAL VOLUNTEERING
WHY IS VOLUNTEERING IMPORTANT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CHURCHES AND DIACONIA?
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SOCIAL INCLUSIONVolunteers are main agents when it comes to
social inclusion through their engagement with
those at risk of social exclusion
Enables people that are at risk of being socially
excluded with ways to be connected
to society
International volunteering and local volunteering provide opportunities for intercultural learning which is key in the fight against xenophobia, racism and discrimination
Social Inclusion = Strong civil society and active citizenship
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Volunteering in Diaconia
VOLUNTEERS ARE ACTIVE CITIZENS
Volunteering is key expression of active citizenship
European values of solidarity and social cohesion
Volunteering encourages participatory democracythose engaged in volunteering are directly or indirectly working to improve society for all at a local, regional and national level
Voluntary activity facilitates the involvement of local actors who become empowered through participation, involvement and action.
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Volunteering in Diaconia
A TOOL OF EMPOWERMENT Providing a platform for getting people back into education or employment and in general, tapping into people’s potential.
The concept of empowerment also links to our Biblical and diaconal understanding of creation by ensuring that each person can respond to the God given call to care for creation
Acts 20:35: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.
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Volunteering in Diaconia
COMMUNITY LIFE
Volunteers can improve the quality of social and health services
Bringing ownership of the services by the community: Local volunteers can help build community cohesion as they bring innovative perspectives to the service and can provide a source of local knowledge about the community.
They can provide care that is user-focused, holistic and
responsive to the community's needs.
Volunteering is also an invitation to participate in and improve the life of the community
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Volunteering in Diaconia
WHAT ARE THE TRENDS?At least 3 / 10 Europeans volunteer
80% of Europeans say that active participation in society is a crucial part of their life
Eurodiaconia members witness an increase of volunteering
We estimate over 600, 000 volunteers across our membership
Regular volunteering short term, sporadic, or project based volunteering
Volunteers are more specific in their requests
Potential for increase of volunteering lies in corporate volunteering (CSR programmes)
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Volunteering in Diaconia
CHALLENGESChallenge to meet skills and needs
Need for more specialized skills
Need to engage the working populationYoung people who are skilled give up when they find work
Some countries there are legal obstaclese.g. asylum seekers cannot volunteer
Lack of financial resourcesE.g. To reimburse volunteers
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Volunteering in Diaconia
CHALLENGESVolunteering and social services in times of austerity
Not a substitute for paid staff‘Voluntary activities need to be clearly distinguishable from paid employment and should by no means replace it’ (EPSCO Conclusions on Voluntary activities in social policy)
Volunteering is not cost free cf Commission communication
Volunteering is freely given, not compulsory
Protection of the European Social Model‘Voluntary activities can not replace the overall responsibility of the state to ensure and provide economic, social and cultural rights.’ (EPSCO Conclusions on Voluntary activities in social policy)
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Volunteering in Diaconia
Thank you for your attention
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Volunteering in Diaconia