Sultan Qaboos University launched the forum titled “The Future of Volunteer Work and Sustainable Impact in Light of Social Innovation” under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development for Family Affairs and Community Development, and in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda bin Majid Al Said, the Vice-Chancellor. The event was held at Al Fahm Hall, the Cultural Centre.
During the opening ceremony, Prof. Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Saqri, Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences and member of the State Council, delivered a speech emphasising that the title of this forum reflects the profound transformation in the concept of volunteer work within a rapidly changing world. He noted that volunteering is no longer viewed as a passing personal initiative or a temporary humanitarian effort; rather, it has become an essential pillar of development and an integrated social system that contributes to human development, strengthens social cohesion, and supports sustainable development pathways.
He further added that, in its modern form, volunteer work should not be measured merely by the number of initiatives or the scale of participation, but by its ability to create real change in the lives of individuals and communities, as well as by its connection to planning, innovation, effective partnerships, and impact measurement mechanisms. Therefore, discussing volunteer work is, at its core, a discussion about the future of social responsibility, the role of conscious individuals in driving development, and the capacity of societies to transform their values and energies into productive and impactful projects.
Regarding the forum’s themes, Prof. Al-Saqri stated that the forum addresses several fundamental topics closely linked to this transformation. These include examining social and technological changes and their impact on shaping the future of volunteer work, promoting concepts of sustainability and social impact measurement, and highlighting the role of social innovation in developing qualitative solutions to societal challenges.
The forum includes two scientific sessions that highlight the dimensions of volunteer work and its future. The first session is entitled “Towards the Sustainability of Volunteer Work: Scientific Perspectives to Enhance Long-Term Impact”, which addresses the importance of building sustainable volunteering models, as well as mechanisms for strengthening the effectiveness and continuity of community initiatives in a way that achieves lasting developmental impact.
The second session is entitled “The Social Impact of Volunteer Initiatives: From Idea to Change”, and focuses on the role of volunteer initiatives in creating positive change within society, as well as transforming ideas and initiatives into impactful projects that contribute to human development, enhance quality of life, and reinforce the values of social responsibility.
In addition, the forum is accompanied by an exhibition featuring a number of charities and volunteer initiatives in the Sultanate of Oman, as well as several student groups at the university that are interested in the field of volunteer work.