Benefits of volunteerism

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development
challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. The idea of empowerment often refers to marginalised groups. At the heart of empowerment is the development of new knowledge and skills gained through participation. There are numerous instances in which skills development has enabled people to improve their own lives and the lives of others, and how volunteers play a critical role in imparting skills and implementing development programmes for empowerment. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. Not only does volunteering help empower beneficiaries, but it is also a means for volunteers themselves to be empowered through the experiences and insights they gain.

Concept of active citizenship

Active citizenship refers to the involvement of individuals in public affairs. The term is used especially at local level to refer to citizens who become actively involved in the life of their communities tackling problems or bringing about change or resisting unwanted change. Some key characteristics of Active Citizenship are: participation in the community; power to play a part in the decisions that affect them. It explains why people volunteer because volunteerism work is a form of involvement in community affairs. Voluntary work also aims to tackle problems and bring about positive change in a community. However, active citizenship also explains why people do not volunteer. An active citizen is not necessarily a ‘good citizen’ in the sense that they follow the rules or behave in a certain way. An active citizen may challenge the rules and existing structures. This deters some people from voluntary work because of the possible trouble that they might get into as a result of not following the rules and existing structures.

Active citizenship in Singapore

I agree with the stand that citizens in free societies are likely to play more active roles in their communities. However, this does not apply very well for Singaporeans. Active citizenship had been common in Singapore, but was affected by the political culture after her independence. The government recognises this problem and is trying to resolve it through various policies and organisations. Students in Singapore are encouraged to participate in their community through community involvement projects or voluntary work organisations. Various government organisations like Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and National Volunteer and Philanthropist Centre have also been set up. The efforts are paying off as almost every student in Singapore from secondary school and above has participated in various community involvement projects, and through these are aware of some problems in the society that need to be solved or looked into. This seed will be planted in their hearts and some of them will grow up as active citizens. There will definitely be a more distinctive active citizenship culture in Singapore in the future.

Summary of “Globalisation and Human Rights” By Pushkar Raj

The impact of globalisation is evident in economic, social and political spheres. Individualism is re-emphasised in recognition of not only a form of individual’s freedom but also as living a life of dignity.The rising poverty and unemployment, the mal-treatment people in society, child labour, illiteracy, high dropout from school, burgeoning corruption, non-transparent bureaucracy and unaccountable police force all have come to stand out as fruits of globalisation. Developing countries are vulnerable to exploitation by big businesses. States must meet the challenge of striking the fine balance between the economic interests of its people and forces of globalisation. Transnational corporation have production operations throughout the world. They are guided by their policy of minimum cost of production that leads to higher profits. The cheap and unorganized labor is one attraction they would invest in a developing country like India as they would pay them barely survival wages and keep them in unhealthy conditions.

Summary of “Human Rights And Globalization” By Dr Samir Naim-Ahmed

Globalisation can be both good and bad for the enhancement of the implementation of human rights. The critics of globalization lay much emphasis on its impact on human rights. The advocates of globalization do not deny this but they explain this by the resistance of some countries and peoples to globalization. Both advocates and critics of globalization agree on the fact that human rights are affected by globalization, but they differ in their explanation. Since the Universal declaration of Human rights in 1948 many countries of the world succeeded in enhancing the implementation of human rights. Globalization agreements require governments to abide by the global market mechanisms and to follow the advices of the international agencies. The governments have to make all necessary adjustments. Many of those changed laws are related to the implementation of human rights. 

Association between Globalisation and Human Rights

Globalisation can be either beneficial or detrimental to human rights. In the case of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, it was the main factor that provoked the civilian uprisings. Social media, an element of Globalisation, allows democratic ideas to percolate across the globe. It was also social media that enabled people from neighbouring countries and around the world to know about the uprising when it started, which saw the supporters of the revolution grow in numbers and the revolutionary trend spread from Tunisia to Egypt and Libya. In other words, Globalisation has allowed more people to know about and fight for their human rights. On the other hand, Globalisation has also brought about breaches of human rights. The prosperity of transnational businesses caused by Globalisation is at the expense of human rights in countries where workers are exploited, for example Africa.

Freedom of expression in Singapore and China

SPH and MediaCorp dominate the media in Singapore. Critical books on Singapore politics are unavailable locally, and there is a ban on the sale and distribution of Malaysian newspapers. The government maintains control of the sale, reproduction and distribution of foreign newspapers. Under the Public Order Act, cause-related activities need to be regulated by permit. Singapore government has a “Asian values” interpretation of human rights. Dr Chee Soon Juan was arrested for public speech without license. Alan Shadrake was also sued for voicing out the issue of human rights in Singapore. China punishes people who verbally attack the government. There are censors to monitor online posts on Sina. The foreign press is also heavily censored.

Child Soldiers

In third world countries, militias have recruited thousands of child soldiers. Child soldiers are being used to fight in 75% of conflicts in Taliban army. Their roles include snipers, suicide bombers, sex slaves and minesweepers. Child soldiers undergo psychological and physical torture. Britain sent 15 child soldiers to war. The early enlistment for National Service is a subtle version of conscription of child soldiers. Possible solutions include Red Hand Day, media, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.

Bosnian Genocide

Serb invaders were angry at the Bosniaks, for turning away from Christianity during the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, and recognised them as the descendants of the Ottoman Empire. During the genocide, 200000 lives were lost between 1992 to 1995. In concentration camps, mass executions and rape were carried out. Serbs also prevented entry of aid to cities like Srebrenica where residents needed food and medical services.

Apostasy

In Islam countries, apostates are given three days to repent and to return. In these three days, they have free will to express any doubts. After that they are faced with two choices-leave or return to Islam. The punishment for female apostates is lifetime imprisonment. Children apostates will be forced to embrace Islam, or be sent to prison when they mature. Those who are retarded will be spared from any punishment.