European journal of volunteering and community-based projects

National Volunteer Service: A Conceptual Model of Sustainable National Reform

Nazmul Huda Kazi, Chowdhury Khaled Moslehuddin, Samiul Masud Md — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose. Bangladesh is currently experiencing a rejuvenation as a true democratic nation, following a nationwide movement where students played a pivotal role in liberating the country from a decade-long autocratic regime. Students are now actively participating in emergency public service management, including rescue and relief efforts, traffic control, public security, advocacy, and sanitation. This study proposes a conceptual model that could serve as an effective intervention to sustain the momentum of these national reforms, organizing student volunteer participation in a permanent and structured manner for national development and crisis management. Harnessing this substantial demographic dividend and social capital, a National Volunteer Service (NVS) could be a strategic imperative for Bangladesh's development.

Design. The aim of this study is to explore the necessity of such a program or organization to propose guidelines for its implementation. The study is qualitative, drawing on interviews with key stakeholders who have field-level experience as volunteers and are involved in volunteer organizations and public service.

Findings. The findings highlight the critical need for student engagement in national service, identify potential areas for involvement, and address possible challenges.

Value. The study underscores the urgent need to initiate a National Volunteer Service and offers preliminary guidelines for its establishment.

Legitimizing Benefit Corporations: An Italian Perspective on Mandatory Non-Financial Reporting

Francesca Picciaia, Libero Mario Mari, Romilda Mazzotta — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose: Analyze how Italian Benefit Corporation (BC) use their mandatory non-financial report (SIR) to enhance corporate legitimations and therefore comprehend if SIR is used in substantive or symbolic approach.

Design/Method/Approach: The study analyzes Impact reports (SIRs) of 56 Italian Benefit Corporations (BCs), chosen from ORBIS database. The analysis is conducted through the lens of legitimacy theory and through a content analysis of SIR.

Findings: the results revealed the presence of organizations which have not yet fully understood the importance of the accountability and communication processes in terms of sustainability, legitimation.

Originality: This is an original contribution, that considers the new interconnection between mandatory non-financial reporting and hybrid organizations.

Practical and social implication: The results could be useful for scholars, since they contribute to deepening the issue of mandatory non-financial reporting in hybrid organizations and its effects in terms of legitimacy, but also for practitioners and hybrid organizations in understanding the importance of materiality of disclosure and in structuring material reporting.

Indicatori d’impatto sociale secondo le linee guida internazionali

Valerio Brescia — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Questo studio descrive un approccio integrato basato su linee guida internazionali per valutare l’impatto sociale delle università, ponendo particolare attenzione al loro contributo agli Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile (SDGs). Gli indicatori analizzati coprono cinque aree principali: educazione e formazione, ricerca, engagement della comunità, governance e amministrazione sostenibile, e supporto al cambiamento sostenibile. Le università sono chiamate a integrare concetti di sostenibilità nei curricula, sviluppare progetti di ricerca orientati agli SDGs, e collaborare con partner esterni per massimizzare il trasferimento di conoscenze. Viene inoltre enfatizzata l'importanza di una governance etica e di politiche inclusive che promuovano l'accessibilità e l'equità. Attraverso un'analisi combinata di dati quantitativi e qualitativi, lo studio propone un modello per monitorare l'impatto sociale delle università, fornendo strumenti pratici per migliorare le strategie istituzionali e rafforzare il dialogo con gli stakeholder. Questo approccio non solo aiuta le università a comunicare il loro impegno verso la sostenibilità, ma contribuisce anche a un cambiamento significativo a livello sociale, economico e ambientale.

Bilancio Sociale Arcigay 2023

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200