The volunteer movement in Russia is actively supported by citizens and authorities, which allows each of its participants to effectively influence the improvement of life in society. Alexander Gerasimov, chief expert of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Expert Institute for Strategic Studies (EISI), told socialbites.ca.
The expert pointed out that among researchers of the volunteer movement there is often concern about the decrease in the share of volunteers in the population of Western countries.
“As a rule, this situation is explained by the aging of the population, the fact that only the wealthy segments of the population tend to volunteer, the underdeveloped culture of volunteering among immigrants and other reasons. “According to European political scientists and sociologists, citizens’ feelings of solidarity and justice are weakening, and at the same time, interest in the “little” person is disappearing,” he said.
Gerasimov noted that these changes were discussed in detail in the book “The Liberal Illusion” by German political scientist Niels Heisterhagen.
“Voluntary activity of the population in the countries of the Global South is significantly less than in the West. This is largely due to traditions in which helping one’s neighbor is considered natural and does not require formalization. “With the spread of volunteering culture and the increase in financial opportunities, the composition of volunteer movements is also expanding,” added the expert.
At the same time, according to him, the volunteer movement in Russia is actively developing and represents the transformation of the culture of public solidarity and empathy into inherently transformative action.
“Therefore, according to sociologists, the rate of people who feel happy among volunteers is higher than the whole population,” Gerasimov said.
Previously reportedWhat EISI experts have prepared consensus estimate discussed the issue of volunteering and explained the reasons for the growing popularity of this movement in Russia.
On November 5, Russia celebrates Volunteer Day.