Singapore’s National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), represented by Dr Mark Stanford and Ms Mya The Pwint, will join global leaders at the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) Annual Global Conference, a prominent gathering of leaders from the nonprofit, corporate, government and academic sectors from more than 100 countries, to call attention to the global impact that volunteer efforts are making for sustainable development.
2. The 2024 conference theme is “People Power: Creating a Sustainable Future through Volunteering.” Seminars and forums will focus on research and practical applications around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. Speaking at the forum session, “Enabling Self-orientated Volunteering and Civic Activism”, Dr Stanford and Ms The Pwint will be jointly sharing insights on “Groundups: A Singaporean Approach to Community Initiatives”. The presentation aims to shed light on the distinctive characteristics of Singapore’s groundup movement, with particular emphasis on the motivations driving founders and members, and insights into how groundups are shaping Singapore’s volunteerism landscape and fostering greater civic engagement across the nation. Dr Stanford and Ms The Pwint will be joined by Dr Jurgen Grotz from the University of East AngliaUK, alongside Seon Kyeong Ahn from the Ewha Womans University, South Korea, and Sarah Wilson from the University of Western Australia/University of Canberra, Australia, in the same session.
4. In a recent study conducted, the NVPC Groundup Initiative Study, found a surge in groundup movements during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of new groundups formed tripling between 2019 and 2020. Driven by groups of individuals coming together voluntarily to address a need in the community, this surge demonstrates people’s strong willingness to act during times of crisis. Groundups are valued for their agility in meeting needs and their creative problem-solving abilities. Responding to the insights from the study, BAGUS (Building All Groundups for Success) Together, a tripartite collaboration between NVPC, Temasek Foundation and Tote Board was launched to support groundups and sustain their efforts.
5. The increased momentum of civic participation is echoed in a wider National Giving Study 2023 which saw the volunteerism rate increase to 30% in 2023 from 22% in 2021. This reflects a return to pre-pandemic levels, driven by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, which had limited in-person volunteer activities. As face-to-face interactions resumed, Singaporeans started actively re-engaging with volunteer efforts, signaling a renewed commitment to giving back and strengthening community ties. This sentiment was most recently affirmed with Singapore being recognised as the third most generous country in the world by the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index 2024.
6. As Singapore’s national agency for volunteerism and philanthropy, NVPC is proud to continue sharing key insights on nonprofit development with the international research community. By engaging in meaningful discussions on common challenges and opportunities, NVPC remains committed to fostering collaboration and advancing impactful solutions within the global nonprofit landscape.
7. The 27th World Volunteer Conference is organised by the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), sponsored by BNK Busan Bank and UPS, and hosted by Busan Metropolitan City Volunteer Centre from 22-25 October 2024 at the BPEX Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Busan, Republic of Korea.
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About National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
NVPC is the national agency dedicated to promoting a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy. By engaging individuals, organisations, communities and leaders across the people, private and public sectors, we seek to create a more caring, inclusive, and compassionate society. Together, we envision Singapore as a City of Good, where everyone is able to give their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony every day and everywhere. Learn more at nvpc.org.sg.
About the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE)
Since 1970, IAVE has created a more just and sustainable world by enabling the leaders, organizations, and environments that empower volunteers. IAVE invests in advocacy, leadership development, and knowledge creation and sharing. Its diverse member network includes volunteers, government agencies, multi-national agencies and institutions, academics, NGOs, businesses, and volunteer leadership organizations in over 125 countries. In October 2024, IAVE will convene its 27th World Volunteer Conference in Busan, South Korea. Learn more at iave.org.
About IAVE World Volunteer Conferences
Since 1970, IAVE has worked with local partners to organize more than two dozen international volunteer conferences across the globe. Volunteers, nonprofits, corporations, government agencies and academics come together to strengthen relationships, learn from thought leaders, share best practices, and be energized by how volunteer efforts are improving communities around the world. The first conference was held in Los Angeles in 1970. The Emirates Foundation hosted the last conference in Abu Dhabi in 2022. Learn more about the 27th IAVE World Volunteer Conference at wvc2024busan.kr.
