By Sports Reporter/Doha


The eighth session of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) Youth Panel focused on the importance of voluntary work at a workshop delivered by the Qatar Centre for Volunteering Activities (QCVA). The session was facilitated by its Secretary General, Nasser al-Malki, and volunteer Engineer Nasser al-Moghaiseeb.
The cultural diversity among the Youth Panel added vitality to the debate about the contribution volunteering can make to society. Al-Malki said: “Volunteering is a way of life and a universal language. The cultural diversity these young people represent provides us with an opportunity to get our message through and promote the concept to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds who are nonetheless united by love for their host country, Qatar.”
For al-Moghaiseeb, educational workshops on voluntary work are essential. He said: “Since Qatar is preparing to host a major world event, the 2022 World Cup, we need the efforts and contribution of everyone - citizens, residents, and even visitors - to stage a successful tournament.”
Khalid al-Jumaily, SC Community Engagement Manager, stressed the importance of contributing to the creation of a strong volunteering culture in Qatar, which can later help deliver the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He said: “The SC Volunteer Programme already has 600 volunteers that participate regularly in our events, and another 1,300 registered to help when needed.”
“This is the first step in our Volunteer Strategy which will develop a pilot volunteer community that is motivated, trained and ready for 2022 and ultimately grow the culture of volunteering in Qatar and the region,” he added.
The workshop for the SC Youth Panel included a field trip to Darb Al Saai site to see volunteering organisations such as the Qatar Red Crescent Society, Eid Charity Foundation, and QCVA in action as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations.
The Youth Panel was briefed about the vital volunteer work and expertise being delivered by these organisations’ in Qatar and abroad. Each member of the Youth Panel also received a volunteer’s passport, which was stamped by every organisation where the volunteers assisted, serving as a record of his/her activities and skills and an incentive to continue volunteering and giving back to their communities in whatever way they can.
Student Noor Abdulla al-Mohannadi from Qatar commented on her past experiences: “I like the diversity of voluntary work. What particularly touched me, however, was my own personal experience of looking after cancer patients who had received chemotherapy.”
The members of the Youth Panel were very enthusiastic about the experience. Student Amaan Siyad from India said: “Volunteering is unpaid work that we do willingly to develop ourselves and our societies. The workshop certainly adds to our knowledge and capabilities.”
For student Mishaal Javed from the United Kingdom, “volunteering does not necessarily mean traveling to a Third World country and spending time there. “Volunteering can be as simple as helping someone in need, right here at home in Qatar.