The book "Voluntary Teams in Kuwait: Inspirational Youth Models" by Dr. Khaled Al-Shatti deeply explores the experience of Kuwaiti voluntary teams that have contributed to the advancement of society through voluntary work.
The book sheds light on several youthful models that have inspired the community with their achievements and provides details on the efforts these teams have made in social, environmental, educational, health, and other fields. The book also discusses the evolution of voluntary work in Kuwait, and the reasons that have made it a key component in the Kuwaiti society fabric.
Dr. Al-Shatti analyzes the role of these teams in achieving sustainable development, highlights the challenges they face, and presents opportunities for developing this field. The book provides recommendations to enhance voluntary work and encourages youth to actively participate in building the community, based on successful and inspiring experiences capable of serving as a reference for creating distinguished volunteer models.
This book offers a comprehensive and in-depth insight into voluntary work, emphasizing its vital role as a fundamental pillar in building and advancing societies. The author emphasizes the importance of voluntary work in filling service gaps that governments may not be able to address alone, pointing out that voluntary work requires collaboration from various sectors - governmental, private, and individual - in order to achieve the common good.
The book also discusses voluntary work from an Islamic perspective, indicating the religious principles that encourage voluntary work as a form of social solidarity among community members. This perspective is reinforced by references to Quranic verses, such as the verse: "And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and knowing," reaffirming that volunteering is rooted in our Islamic Sharia and cultural heritage.
The book also explores the positive effects of volunteering on individuals and society, as it helps volunteers gain new experiences and skills, enhances their sense of responsibility and participation in solving community problems. Moreover, voluntary work promotes social belonging and happiness among volunteers, making them feel valued in society.
The book presents an overview of prominent Kuwaiti voluntary teams and their efforts in various fields, especially under the organization of the Ministry of Social Affairs implementing laws aimed at supporting and regulating voluntary work within legal frameworks. It highlights the role of "Peace Society for Humanitarian and Charitable Actions" and "Kuwait Center for Documenting Humanitarian Work - Fanar" in supporting these teams and facilitating their work, contributing to the sustainability of these initiatives.
Finally, the book presents a historical overview of voluntary work in Kuwait, illustrating that the culture of volunteering has been rooted for four centuries, as the Kuwaiti society has been characterized by cooperation and mutual support to help one another. The book points out that Kuwaiti volunteering is not limited to the domestic sphere but extends beyond borders to assist countries around the world.
In general, this book is an important documentation of the history of voluntary work in Kuwait, encouraging future generations to continue this blessed journey and to persist in achieving sustainable development goals. The information provided in the book documents Kuwait's historical role in charitable and voluntary work, offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of these efforts over time. The book covers various details about:
Charitable collection teams: These teams collected donations from merchants and benefactors to help those affected by economic disasters or natural calamities, embodying a wonderful spirit of solidarity.
Assistance to neighboring tribes: Kuwait has long distinguished itself by providing support to neighboring tribes and countries in need, such as the aid to the Ottoman Empire and historical support to the Palestinian people.
Community Volunteer Teams: With the rise of disasters and crises, volunteer teams in Kuwait have emerged as they did during the "Haddama" years in 1934 and 1954, where Kuwaitis supported each other and provided assistance to affected areas.
Resistance to occupation: During the Iraqi invasion in 1990, volunteer teams emerged in an unprecedented manner, with groups such as "Ahl Al-Deerah Group" and "Muraabitun Movement" formed to support Kuwait, manage the affairs of the country, provide assistance, and organize popular resistance.
Role of Kuwaiti women: Women in Kuwait have played an inspiring role in volunteer work since the 1930s, volunteering to support Palestine, and their role became more prominent during crises, whether through donations or field support during the Iraqi invasion.
Student volunteer teams: Since the early stages of education, students have had a role in volunteer work, which later evolved within student unions, and continued until the establishment of scientific student associations.
Institutional support for volunteer work: Government and private institutions, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, have supported and regulated volunteer teams, allowing them to be formed within associations and foundations, along with the Youth Authority encouraging youth volunteer activities.
These pieces of information represent a distinctive image of the charitable and volunteer work legacy in Kuwait.
This section addresses the laws and regulations governing volunteer work in Kuwait, including the most important provisions related to the establishment and management of volunteer teams, as well as the financial and organizational principles these teams adhere to.
Laws and regulations for volunteer teams
Despite the long history of volunteer work in Kuwait, dating back over 400 years, there was no independent law regulating this work until recently, as it was partially regulated through Law No. 24 of 1962 concerning clubs and associations of public benefit, which included some volunteer teams affiliated with these associations. In 2014, a temporary regulatory decision was issued to regulate the work of volunteer teams (Ministerial Decision No. 247/A of 2014), later amended by another decision (No. 1029/A of 2015) while awaiting the issuance of a comprehensive law on volunteer work.
Ministerial Decision No. 247/A of 2014 (amended)
Ministerial Decision 247/A was issued in 2014 to regulate the work of volunteer teams until the adoption of a comprehensive law. This decision was part of a national campaign titled "Initiate... You are the hope," aimed at registering volunteer teams and integrating youth into various community activities, enhancing their role in volunteer work and supporting the community.
Regulatory Decision and its key articles
The ministerial decision includes multiple articles, such as:
- Definitions: Defining the concept of volunteer work, volunteer, volunteer team, committee, and financial sponsorships.
- Volunteer work committee: Forming a permanent committee to supervise volunteer work, organize volunteer records, and evaluate volunteer teams.
- Establishing volunteer teams: Setting conditions for establishing teams, including that the founding members must be Kuwaitis and not less than five in number.
- Financial matters: Budgeting, obtaining sponsorships, and the possibility of opening a bank account for the team.
- Annual general meeting: Setting rules for the annual general meeting and its procedures, including approval of the financial statements and administrative reports.
- Investigation and penalties: Establishing a system to investigate non-compliant teams and determining appropriate penalties.
Recent updates
In November 2018, the Ministry of Social Affairs prepared a draft law to regulate volunteer work and referred it to the Council of Ministers and then to the National Assembly for discussion and approval. This law aims to cover the legal and regulatory aspects of all forms of volunteer work, support existing volunteer teams, regulate them, increase awareness, and encourage youth to participate.
The national campaign " Initiate... You Are the Hope" is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs in Kuwait to organize and promote volunteer work within an approved legal framework. The campaign is based on ministerial decision No. 247/A of 2014 and amended decision No. 1029/A of 2015, aiming to organize volunteer teams and support them in a way that contributes to activating the community's potentials, especially the youth, to enhance loyalty and belonging to the country through organized and impactful volunteer work.
Vision and Mission
The main vision of the campaign is for volunteering to be part of every household and institution, instilling in individuals a spirit of positive initiative. The mission is to create an innovative administrative unit to support volunteer leadership in developing the community, by refining the skills of volunteers and supporting their administrative and technical capabilities.
Primary Objectives
The " Initiate..." campaign aims to:
- Expand the scope of volunteer work in government and non-governmental institutions.
- Promote and strengthen the culture of volunteering as a social value and community responsibility.
- Direct the energies of volunteer youth in nation-building and development.
- Support and develop volunteer initiatives to meet the needs of society.
- Build the personal and professional capacities of volunteers to activate their positive role in society.
Values Adopted by the Campaign
The campaign relies on a set of values to ensure the continuity and impact of volunteer work, including: cooperation, partnership, sustainability, creativity, and leadership.
Benefits Provided to Volunteer Teams
The campaign offers many benefits that help empower volunteer teams, including:
- A legal framework that protects the team's activities.
- Organizational facilities from the Ministry of Social Affairs, such as halls and partnerships.
- Training on volunteer work skills by specialized experts.
- Opportunities to communicate with official entities to enhance cooperation and facilitate participation in social activities.
Volunteer Team Registration Objectives
Through the "Take the Initiative" campaign, the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to:
- Develop the social work environment and increase the number of qualified human resources.
- Revive the spirit of giving and encourage volunteers to serve the community.
- Utilize community experiences, including the elderly and people with disabilities, to enhance volunteer work.
- Spread the human and civilizational message of Kuwait through distinctive volunteer teams.
Areas of Volunteer Teamwork
The areas of volunteer work within the campaign vary and include:
- Social development
- Resource and environmental conservation
- Economic growth
Registration Requirements
To register a volunteer team within the " Initiate" campaign, the team must provide:
- Registration form.
- Specify the field of volunteer work.
- Define tasks and roles for volunteers.
- Appoint a communication officer to liaise with the Ministry.
The Ministry provides a smartphone application and a website to facilitate the registration process and manage volunteer team data.
Registered Volunteer Teams
The "Take the Initiative" campaign includes many volunteer teams registered within the national platform belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs, contributing to organizing and unifying volunteer efforts to serve the Kuwaiti community and achieve desired goals.
Charitable Associations and Foundations Supporting Volunteer Teams
Charitable associations and foundations in Kuwait are major supporters of volunteer work and teams, by sponsoring various initiatives that serve the Kuwaiti community and Arab and Islamic societies. These associations adopt a humanitarian vision to promote social solidarity values and cooperation, enriching volunteer work in Kuwait by providing financial, logistical, and administrative support to volunteer teams, enabling them to perform their roles effectively and professionally.
Here is an overview of some of the charitable organizations that sponsor and support volunteer work:
Social Reform Society
The Social Reform Society supports many volunteer activities and initiatives that contribute to the development of Kuwaiti society through sponsoring educational and awareness programs, supporting youth-oriented developmental projects, and implementing humanitarian campaigns and projects inside and outside Kuwait. The Society also provides opportunities for youth to engage in its volunteer programs and contribute to its charitable projects.
Kuwait Zakat House
Kuwait Zakat House provides support to many volunteer teams that contribute to providing medical services and psychological support to refugees, through supporting medical and humanitarian initiatives like the "Medical Healing" team. The house seeks to enable teams to provide healthcare and education, especially in conflict and crisis areas, reflecting Kuwait's commitment to humanitarian issues on an international level.
Kuwait Red Crescent Society
The Kuwait Red Crescent Society supports volunteer teams during natural disasters and emergencies, working on equipping and training voluntary emergency teams to deal with crises locally and internationally. The Red Crescent is considered a key partner in providing emergency relief and contributes to raising awareness about the importance of volunteering to address humanitarian challenges.
Al-Najat Charitable Society
Al-Najat Charitable Society encourages youth participation in volunteer work, providing training programs to build the necessary skills for working in humanitarian and developmental fields, especially in supporting education and health in needy areas. Al-Najat Society aims to enhance the spirit of giving among young people and empower them to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups.
NAMA Charitable Society
NAMA Charitable Society plays a prominent role in supporting volunteer work, especially in developing leadership and volunteer skills among young people. NAMA participates in various projects aimed at reducing poverty and improving the living standards of needy groups and focuses on empowering youth by involving them in humanitarian activities aimed at achieving sustainable development.
Direct Aid Society
Direct Aid is a leading institution in the field of humanitarian volunteer work, offering many training programs for youth to work in relief and development fields, especially in Africa. Direct Aid prepares voluntary teams to participate in emergency relief programs, health and education awareness campaigns, and aims to promote humanitarian work based on providing direct aid to those in need.
Positive effects of supporting charitable societies and organizations through volunteer work
- Collaboration between charitable societies, organizations, and volunteer teams is essential for enhancing humanitarian work, as this collaboration contributes to:
- Increasing youth participation in social and charitable work and developing their skills in planning and organization.
- Enhancing social solidarity and instilling values of cooperation and good citizenship.
- Achieving sustainable development through projects that support needy groups and improve living standards.
- Enriching the human experience, as youth feel a sense of belonging and personal value by providing volunteer services in education, health, and relief fields.
- Charitable societies and organizations serve as a fundamental pillar in supporting volunteer work, enhancing a culture of solidarity and giving, and establishing an interconnected society that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and communities.
