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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY LETTING THE WONDERS OF SOCIAL GOOD ENLIGHTEN OTHERS – AND OURSELVES 5 DECEMBER 2021
Feeling festive already? Hopefully, you’ll feel even more so after reading this. December has arrived, bringing with it the holiday
season, a time when many of us find ourselves seeking to EXPRESS OUR CHRISTMAS CHEER THROUGH VOLUNTEERING.
BEING THE CHANGE. At Critical TechWorks, several projects and associations – such as EntrAjuda, Animal Life, Casa do Gaiato and
Associação de Albergues Nocturnos do Porto – have benefited from the voluntary intervention of several of our team members who, either with their time, skills or the simple human touch, have contributed to different social missions.
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY Perhaps you didn’t know, but 5 December is generally dedicated to all of those who TIRELESSLY ENCOURAGE A POSITIVE IMPACT, while building up all sorts of skills and really generating happiness. INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY, as created by the United Nations General
Assembly on that same date in 1985, is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers, organisations and companies to celebrate volunteer efforts, share their values and promote joint work among communities, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
BEING A DRIVER OF HAPPINESS A pillar of our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, volunteering is therefore an important part of CTW’s culture and profile. Changing the way the world moves also means being a leading driver in supporting volunteer efforts and recognising the value of volunteer contributions,
whatever their shape or breadth. As Madalena Marinho, one of our Happiness Directors, explained, “volunteering is not about doing anything; volunteering is applying your strengths, realising your purpose, gathering synergies and being a driver of happiness at work.”
By distributing goods or equipment, painting facilities, sorting out clothes for those who need them or fighting school failure and inspiring young people in unfavourable contexts, we are indeed sharing our path of growth with others. Partnering with local institutions and causes gives CTW the opportunity to underpin volunteering and to inspire and motivate others to defend human values, such as FREE WILL, COMMITMENT,
EQUITY, ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, COMPASSION, EMPATHY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS. When people become actors of change and equal partners in the attainment of progress (local, national and even international), something very powerful happens. Not only do we contribute to a cause that grows with our involvement, but we also broaden our perspective and understanding.