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Concept page
Volunteer, volunteerism, voluntary. These words are used with different meanings by different people in different sectors. Unfortunately, still there is not a universally accepted definition of these terms, but generally, they are used with the meaning of something “voluntary“ and “not awarded”. But it is not always like that. For example, people who voluntarily join the army are considered to be volunteers but they get a salary for that. There is a number of voluntary agencies, which provide compensation or grants for their volunteers. In some sectors or prestigious professions a lot of people work without compensation in order to gain experience, to be more competitive at the labor market. We could hardly call these people volunteers. One definition says that “volunteering is any activity which implies spending time, which is not paid and suggests doing something with an objective to be of use to someone (an individual or a group) who is not a close relative or just to be of use to the wider surrounding”.
Self-help groups – groups of people who share the same or similar fate and want to help each other mutually. The members of the group are making common cause with each other and together they look for a solution to their problems.
Philanthropy - implies to love the mankind, the people. It motivates voluntary activities impelled by self-pity and solidarity. Philanthropy is developed in an instrument which in certain situations enables the society to compensate the indifference and the incompetence of the country.
Altruism – unselfishness, dedication to the other’s interests, benefaction without achieving own interest, opposing egoism and individualism.
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