Accounting for the Varieties of Volunteering: New Global Statistical Standards Tested

The International Labour Office (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) have provided global statistical standards for organization-based and direct volunteering, which offer path-breaking opportunities. However, the standards are only relatively known and have to face difficult methodological and substantial challenges. This book demonstrates that a holistic approach to the implementation of the guidelines allows to balance international statistical standards and locally embedded cultures and move knowledge of volunteering forward in a complexity-driven agenda.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 361 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

For a considerable duration, the field of volunteering has been hindered by the absence of standardized data sets that facilitate methodologically robust comparative analyses and global policymaking. However, a significant turning point occurred in 2011 when the International Labour Office (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) took decisive action by introducing global statistical standards for organization-based and direct volunteering. These standards offer groundbreaking opportunities to advance our understanding of volunteering on a global scale.

While the global statistical standards on volunteering are relatively well-known, they face significant methodological and substantial challenges. One key concern is whether they can effectively capture the diverse local varieties of volunteering across different regions of the world. Another challenge lies in determining whether the adoption of these standards will further enhance our knowledge of volunteering at both national and international levels.

This comprehensive book goes beyond merely showcasing the innovations brought about by these statistical standards and critically assesses the tensions between the global guidelines and the local differences. It also provides valuable insights into how the ILO and UN standards can be effectively implemented into national statistics, thereby facilitating advancements in our understanding of the characteristics, antecedents, and impacts of contemporary organization-based and direct volunteering.

As an illustrative case, the book takes Italy as a focal point, highlighting its global value. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the book demonstrates that a holistic implementation of the ILO and UN guidelines allows for a harmonious balance between international statistical standards and locally embedded cultures. This approach enables the advancement of knowledge of volunteering in a complex and rapidly changing world.

The book offers a wealth of tools, evidence, and inspiration for scholars, statistical agencies, practitioners, and policy-makers alike. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of volunteering and contribute to its development and improvement.

Weight: 569g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030705480
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021