what are the three important way in which voluntary Agencies help the government in environment education?
Answers
The voluntary organizations have become an irresistible global force today. They not only have a definitive place in modern state but they also perform vital functions for its members through the network of these institutions. The voluntary organizations have been providing social service to the poor, needy, neglected, the old-aged, the sick and the down-trodden. They have always been looked upon as saviors of democratic process as they represent the true fire of democratic spirit and also the instrument for accomplishment of developmental goals. Their necessity is felt all the more strongly in emergency situations, like drought, floods, etc, requiring people’s involvement and cooperation on a massive scale. Voluntarism, thus, becomes an approach as well as a technique.
Meaning of Voluntary Organisations
The term ‘voluntarism’ is derived from the Latin word ‘voluntas’ which means will or freedom. It is that action or activity which is not directed or controlled by the state. It is an activity which is governed by its own members and not by any outside force or external control.
Voluntarism may be seen as typically oriented to the service of the victims of the state and civil society, the principal goal being existential amelioration of victim groups. Compassion and charity are the ethical foundations for voluntarism. Voluntarism is inherently intolerant of violence, even by the victims. It is also characterized by working for the disadvantaged, deprived and dispossessed – the Atisudras in Ambedkar’s Hinduised description of the proletariat.
Voluntarism, in a free society, draws its inspiration from the concept of social justice, which is enshrined in the universal values and the manifold declarations on Human Rights. This has been provided for even in our Constitution. The constitutional directive lays down that “a social order in which justice -social, economic and political – must inform national life.”
The term voluntary organizations has been used interchangeably with voluntary associations or agencies or action groups or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While UN calls it NGOs, Shri T.N. Chaturvedi prefers the traditional concept of voluntary associations which has a positive meaning as against NGOs, for NGOs are deceptive, and carries negative meaning.
The voluntary organizations are independent, flexible, democratic, secular, non-profit people’s organization which work for the welfare of the society. It renders noble, selfless community service on voluntary and non-profit basis by resourceful, enlightened, public-spirited, active citizens and social workers.
David L. Sills, defines voluntary organizations as a group of persons, organized on the basis of voluntary membership without state control, for the furtherance of some common interest of its members. Sills excluded three types of similar associations: (i) making a living association (like business firms, trade associations, etc.); (ii) religious organizations; and (iii) political parties He contended that membership in such voluntary associations as labour unions or professional societies, may be a condition of employment or professional factor and, thus, may not be truly voluntary. Membership in a church or in a family may be inherited from one’s parents and in that sense, not voluntary.