Where Did All the Volunteers Go?

In the 2000s, we saw frequent voluntary activities in schools, colleges, universities, societies, and more. We have also seen voluntary organizations' activities, for example, Scouts, BNCC, Red Crescent, Girl Guides, and Various clubs in educational institutions.

In the 2010s, social media was introduced. The impact was very good, and responses were very high because of social media. These kinds of activities also give fame in Bangladesh. It also gets a great response in foreign countries. Young people are engaged in this kind of activity. We have also seen that those who do voluntary activities get student visas very easily and are accepted to foreign universities, including Oxford, Harvard, whatever name it is. 

Unfortunately, young people are not interested in participating in voluntary activities or any extracurricular activities. It is very alarming in the case of Bangladesh. We have seen heroic scenes from the volunteer organizations during COVID-19, the flood in 2022, the flood in 2024, etc. We have also seen the resignation from a vital position in a renowned organization. There are many reasons behind the scenes.

The first one is the academic and career pressure. Students are expected to achieve high grades, prepare for competitive university and medical admission, and develop professional skills for future employment. Many people believe that spending time on volunteer work will not directly improve their career prospects. As a result, they often choose private coaching, online courses, and boring activities instead of community service.

The second one is the low socio-economic background is one of the major factors in case of Bangladesh. Many people come from low- or middle-income families where they are expected to support their household financially.

So, young people don’t waste time on voluntary activities, they instead do the part-time jobs. The increasing use of smartphones and social media has also changed how young people spend their time. Many hours are devoted to scrolling through social media, watching videos, or playing online games.

Although digital platforms can promote social causes, they can also reduce face-to-face development and community engagement. Another reason is the lack of recognition and structured opportunities. Many young people feel that their volunteer efforts are not appreciated or rewarded.

In some areas, organized volunteer programs are limited, making it difficult for interested students to participate regularly. Parents and society also influence this trend. Some families encourage children to focus only on academic success and stable careers, believing that volunteer work wastes valuable study time. This mindset discourages many students from joining social organizations, even when they have the desire to help others.

Corruption is also one of the reasons that volunteers are not being motivated or disciplined. Qualified ones are always lagging, and those who are not qualified but well-known get the vital positions.

Moreover, the budget for volunteering activities is very low due to a corrupt system. That’s why young people can’t engage in volunteer activities in Bangladesh.
The decline in volunteer participation has several negative effects. Communities lose energetic young leaders who can organize awareness campaigns, environmental projects, and emergency responses.

It also limits the personal growth of young people, as volunteerism helps develop leadership, teamwork, communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills that are valuable throughout life.

Despite these challenges, the situation can improve. Educational institutions should encourage community service through volunteer clubs and service-learning programs. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations can create more accessible volunteer opportunities, provide training, and recognize outstanding volunteers through certificates and awards.

Social media can also be used more effectively to inspire young people by highlighting successful volunteer stories and real community impact. It is always beneficial for future life and for studying abroad. Foreign universities accept applicants who engage in community service.

S M M MUSABBIR UDDIN is a medical student at Universal Medical College, Dhaka, and is involved in scouting activities.