Volunteerism is "a means to promoting social integration": UN

New York, USA: "Opening opportunities for volunteerism is increasingly seen as a means to promoting social integration," says the United Nations Commission on Social Development in its latest Chairperson's summary. "Volunteerism has contributed to developing social capital for social groups, including those that have traditionally found themselves marginalized from mainstream participation in development activities."

The Commission is part of the Division for Social Policy and Development, itself part of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. This year, the Commission's key themes are countering the threats to social integration that come with the current global crises.