Join the volunteer movement: discover how it has evolved from ancient times to the present
Who were called volunteers in the Middle Ages? Is there payment for volunteering? And how can you join the world's largest volunteer communities? This article will tell you all about it, as well as how volunteering has developed over the centuries and which organizations are considered the most influential in this field today.
In the 21st century, volunteer projects play a crucial role in addressing social and environmental issues, fostering civil society development, and promoting intercultural dialogue. Despite the transformation of forms and methods, the essence of volunteering remains unchanged: the desire to help others and make the world a better place.
From ideas to the first organizations
The roots of volunteering date back to antiquity. The spread of ideas of selfless mutual aid was facilitated by the strengthening of world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and others. It is known that by the 12th century, there were more than 500 hospitals in Britain managed by volunteers. In general, during the Middle Ages, the church played a key role in organizing help for those in need. Monasteries and religious orders often took care of the poor, sick, and destitute.
However, the term «volunteer» emerged around the 17th century when Europe was engulfed in military conflicts. Its meaning was quite different then. Nobles called people to their banners, promising them only glory and spoils. Such soldiers, fighting without pay, were called volunteers. Later, the word spread, and now its common meaning is a person doing something useful without demanding money for it.
During the Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries), humanist ideas contributed to the development of secular forms of charity and volunteering. By the 19th century, volunteering began to develop systematically with the creation of specialized organizations. The first is considered to be the YMCA, the Young Men's Christian Association, founded in London in 1844. Today, it is one of the largest volunteer groups in the world, headquartered in Switzerland. Another prominent example is the International Committee of the Red Cross, founded in 1863 at the initiative of Swiss entrepreneur Henry Dunant. Now, the ICRC is among the most influential volunteer associations on the planet, which we will discuss in more detail later.
The Rise of Volunteering: How It Happened
The 20th century was shaken by the two largest wars in human history. They led to the growth of the volunteer movement, especially in helping those affected by conflicts. During World War I (1914-1918), the Sisters of Mercy became well-known: volunteers who cared for the wounded. Although they received a small salary for their work, it was barely enough for personal needs.
Volunteers began to take an increasingly active part in public life. Helping initiatives began to develop everywhere. For example, after air raids on Britain during World War I, the government feared that the kingdom's residents would again be threatened by bombings. So, they created ARP: a volunteer organization that monitored the arrangement of shelters and precautionary measures during raids.
An offshoot of ARP in 1939, when World War II began, was The Women's Voluntary Service (WVS). In the first weeks after the outbreak of hostilities, WVS participants joined in the mass evacuation of schoolchildren across the country, ensuring that the children found foster parents and checking on their well-being.
The devastating consequences of the world wars made volunteers a powerful force: government structures could not cope on their own. In 1970, the UN Volunteer Program was founded. It served to internationally recognize volunteer projects: everyone understood how important this was.
Volunteering in the 21st Century: A Major Transformation
Today, volunteering is a global phenomenon covering many areas: from environmental protection and human rights advocacy to disaster relief and community development. In the 21st century, the international trend is online volunteering, which allows people to help others without leaving home. Digital volunteers make donations, write articles, provide legal consulting, or conduct psychological consultations via Zoom. The opportunities to support others have become much greater.
Large-scale crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine) have again shown the importance of volunteer assistance and inspired many to participate. Today, there are about 1 billion volunteers worldwide. Thanks to the internet and social media, people have become more informed about global problems. Online platforms and apps make it easier to find volunteer opportunities and coordinate efforts.
Moreover, volunteering is becoming increasingly popular among young people, who see it as a way to gain experience and skills. Experience in international volunteer groups is particularly valuable.
The Largest Volunteer Organizations in the World
We have included large-scale projects that today engage volunteers from different corners of the globe and help millions of people or animals annually. Most international organizations reimburse volunteers' expenses for accommodation, sometimes travel and food, but this often depends on the length of volunteering and the specific task.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Founded in 1863, it is one of the oldest and most influential humanitarian organizations. Its mission is to «alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies». The ICRC is also the world's largest volunteer project, annually reaching 160 million people through 191 «national societies»: local volunteer networks within the organization.
UN Volunteers (UNV)
The United Nations program was created in 1970. The main task of UNV is to attract and support international volunteers to work in UN member countries. Together, the program's volunteers work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 in 166 countries/territories.
The UN offers many interesting opportunities, find the right one for you!
Amnesty International
It has been defending human rights worldwide since 1961. Its mission is to conduct research and actions that help prevent or stop severe human rights violations, including:
Physical and mental integrity;
Freedom of conscience and expression;
Freedom from discrimination. Today, it is a global movement of about 10 million people in over 150 countries and territories fighting to end human rights violations.
Inspired by the organization's mission? Join in!
Greenpeace
An international environmental organization operating since 1971. Its mission includes several key points:
Protecting biodiversity in all its forms;
Preventing pollution and abuse of the ocean, land, air, and freshwater of Earth;
Ending all nuclear threats;
Promoting peace, global disarmament, and nonviolence. Greenpeace consists of a global network of 25 independent national/regional organizations in over 55 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)
An international humanitarian organization providing medical aid to those in need. Founded in 1971, for over fifty years, Doctors Without Borders has been helping people whose lives or health are at risk. Volunteers work in areas of epidemics, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. They also treat those excluded from the healthcare system for various reasons. Around 68,000 people work in MSF in more than 77 countries.
If you dream of joining the team, look for opportunities here.
Habitat for Humanity
Engages in building affordable housing worldwide. The organization states its main goal as: «A world where everyone has a decent place to live» Habitat for Humanity operates in more than 70 countries. Since its founding in 1976, it has helped improve housing conditions for 59 million people.
Find out how to become a volunteer here.
YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)
A youth organization founded in 1844, now operating in over 120 countries. Its goal is: «We strive to unleash the potential of children through youth development, improve the health and well-being of the nation by promoting healthy lifestyles, and foster a sense of social responsibility by providing opportunities to help and support others». The project involves over 65 million people.
Join here.
Rotary International
An international organization founded in 1905 that engages in various humanitarian projects. Its mission is: «We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by uniting business, professional, and community leaders». There are more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 220 countries and geographical regions.
Learn more about the organization's projects here.
Oxfam
An international confederation of organizations founded in 1942. It is a global movement of people in 85 countries fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice.
The name «Oxfam» comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief. During World War II, it campaigned to send food through the naval blockade to starving women and children in occupied Greece.
After the war, the Oxfam confederation continued to help needy people across Europe. Today, the organization focuses on developing countries.
Don't stay on the sidelines, join the organization!
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
The world's largest conservation organization with about five million supporters. Founded in Switzerland in 1961, WWF now operates in more than 100 countries and supports around 3,000 targeted projects. Its main mission is to «use scientific advances to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth».
Reshim thanks volunteer Anna Filatova for preparing the article.