Introduction:

Volunteers are defined as individuals who willingly contribute their time, skills, or efforts without financial compensation to serve the community or support a public cause.

Definitions emphasize the elements of "free choice" and "unpaid service." 
In other words, volunteering is an "unpaid activity undertaken for personal or collective motivation to achieve public benefit."

It is also worth noting the International Labour Organization’s description of volunteering as an activity that enhances social cohesion and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.

Additionally, volunteering can be defined as "a structured charitable act carried out by an individual for ethical, religious, or social reasons, aiming to help solve societal issues without expecting financial rewards." 
In the Arab cultural context, the association of volunteering with principles of cooperation ("mutual support in righteousness and piety") makes it a cornerstone of social solidarity.

The Role of Volunteers in Society:

In both Arab and Western contexts, volunteers play distinct roles, such as participating in religious celebrations (e.g., Ramadan iftar meals) or supporting refugees in the West. 

These activities reflect the integration of religious and social values into volunteer work, highlighting the role of volunteers in the following ways:

Enhancing social cohesion: Volunteers help build bridges of trust among individuals and groups, especially in diverse societies, through initiatives like supporting low-income families or organizing cultural events.

Bridging gaps in public services: Volunteers compensate for resource shortages in sectors like healthcare and education by offering free lessons or participating in medical campaigns in remote areas.

Emergency response: Volunteers play a crucial role in disaster relief and conflict situations by distributing humanitarian aid in collaboration with relief organizations.

Promoting civic engagement: Volunteering fosters a sense of responsibility towards the community, particularly among youth, strengthening active citizenship values.

Supporting nonprofit organizations: Volunteers reduce operational costs for charitable organizations, increasing the efficiency and impact of their programs.

The Question of Pros and Cons:

Volunteering remains a vital tool for community development, but its success requires balancing its benefits and challenges. 

This can be achieved through volunteer training, clear policies that protect their rights, and culturally appropriate program designs. The first step is understanding the key advantages and disadvantages of volunteer roles, including:

Enhancing social cohesion and sustainable development: Volunteers contribute to building cohesive communities through initiatives that promote shared values, such as supporting marginalized groups or environmental conservation. 
According to the United Nations (2015), volunteering is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in health and education. 
Additionally, participation in charitable campaigns fosters national belonging and reduces social inequalities.

Developing personal skills: Volunteers gain leadership and communication skills that improve their career prospects. Moreover, volunteering enhances mental well-being by reducing feelings of isolation.

Easing economic burdens: A study by Salamon et al. (2017) estimates that the global economic value of volunteer work amounts to trillions of dollars annually, alleviating pressure on government budgets.

Lessons Learned:

Throughout history, volunteers have been a driving force in national renaissance and state-building, whether through participation in development projects or strengthening community identity.

In Japan after World War II, volunteers played a crucial role in rebuilding infrastructure and clearing cities of debris. 

They also contributed to literacy campaigns, supporting the transition toward a knowledge-based economy. In the United Arab Emirates, volunteering was key to uniting the community during the country’s formation. 
Initiatives like “A’mal Al-Sawa’ed” in the 1970s brought citizens together for tree planting and school construction.

In Malaysia, volunteering was linked to poverty alleviation programs in the 1980s, with thousands of volunteers teaching handicrafts to rural families. This contributed to reducing the poverty rate from 50% to 5% by 2000. 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 highlights the role of volunteers in initiatives like “Tatawu”, which supports community tourism and elder care, showcasing the integration of volunteering into national economic diversification strategies.

In the Syrian experience since 2011, volunteers emerged as a lifesaving force in areas outside the control of the former regime, filling the institutional void left by war. 

In regions like Idlib and Aleppo, volunteers formed the core of local councils that managed essential services such as water distribution and school repairs, with support from international organizations.

 The most significant roles of Syrian volunteers included:

Emergency humanitarian response: Volunteers organized relief teams to rescue civilians under bombardment, such as the White Helmets team, which saved thousands of lives between 2013 and 2020, according to United Nations reports.

Reviving health and education services: Volunteers established temporary schools in caves and damaged buildings and helped operate field clinics to treat the wounded, despite limited resources.

Preserving social fabric: Volunteers launched cultural initiatives to safeguard endangered Syrian heritage, such as documenting folk songs and protecting historical manuscripts.

Challenges Faced:

Security threats: Many volunteers were arrested or killed by conflicting parties.

Lack of funding: Most projects relied on sporadic external donations, limiting their sustainability.

Political polarization: Volunteers faced accusations of bias toward specific agendas.

From Japan’s post-war recovery to war-torn Syria, volunteer experiences have proven that volunteering is not merely a secondary activity but a foundation for building communities, even in the most challenging conditions. 
However, there remains an urgent need to support these volunteers with protection mechanisms and training programs to ensure the continuity of their positive impact.

Conclusion:

Volunteering is a universal humanitarian phenomenon that embodies the highest values of solidarity and altruism, whether in times of peace or crisis. 

By examining the historical and modern roles of volunteers, it becomes clear that they are not just passive contributors but active partners in driving social, economic, and political change.

In revival contexts, such as Japan and Malaysia, volunteers have demonstrated their ability to foster sustainable development by mobilizing community efforts. In conflict settings, as seen in Syria, they have become a lifeline for war-torn communities, despite overwhelming security and financial challenges.

However, these benefits do not mean that volunteering is without risks or shortcomings.

 Experience shows that its success depends on a supportive environment that protects volunteers' rights and balances spontaneous enthusiasm with strategic planning.

In post-conflict reconstruction, as is the case in Syria today, volunteering becomes a pillar of rebuilding, provided it is integrated into a comprehensive national vision that restores dignity to both people and places.

In line with our vision, we believe that Syria needs intensified efforts to rise to the ranks of developed nations. Volunteering is one of the key tools to achieve this goal, contributing to rebuilding infrastructure—such as schools, hospitals, roads, and other vital facilities—while also providing essential services and boosting economic development.

Recommendations to Strengthen the Positive Role of Volunteers in Post-Assad Syria:

Establish a clear institutional framework: We propose the creation of a "National Volunteering Authority" to coordinate between local and international initiatives. 

This authority would define volunteer priorities based on the needs of each region and implement standardized training standards for volunteers, particularly in medical and educational fields, in partnership with international organizations.

Ensure sustainable funding: A portion of international organizations' financial support to Syria should be directed toward sustainable volunteer projects, such as the rehabilitation of schools or health centers. Additionally, encourage the Syrian private sector, both domestically and abroad, to adopt volunteer initiatives through corporate social responsibility programs.

Legal and psychological protection for volunteers: Legal frameworks should be introduced to criminalize the exploitation of volunteers or placing them in risky situations without proper protection. 
Psychological support should also be provided to volunteers who have experienced trauma during the war, in collaboration with mental health experts.

Promote community participation: Launch awareness campaigns that revive the culture of volunteering among the new generation, linking it to a shared Syrian identity. 
It is also essential to integrate Syrian volunteers abroad into reconstruction programs through digital platforms to utilize their skills.

Document experiences and disseminate knowledge: We propose the establishment of a national archive to document the stories and efforts of volunteers during the revolution as part of Syria's collective memory. 
Furthermore, academic studies should be produced in collaboration with Syrian universities to analyze the successes and failures of volunteer efforts during the war.