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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 11, 2019

Making the Impossible Possible: A Contribution of connection-
centered volunteering to local social development action

2*
1
Gamlath, S and Ekanayake, PR
1 Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya

2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Ruhuna

*Email: pushpa123ek@gmail.com and sarath.gamlath@gmail.com

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to explain the benefits of volunteering from the perspective of

local social development. It is observed that volunteering activism contributes to transform
social development into an action which is conventionally believed to be a goal of economic
development. The authors’ experience in community volunteering programmes

demonstrates that modern volunteering is now, unlike its traditional charitable or
philanthropic meaning, a community level connection-centred action which generates
welfare benefits to the community. It is extensively used in the context of local level

activities of Community-based Organisations. That volunteering activism contributes to
transform social development into an action, especially at grassroots, and energizes
involvement of the community as an active partner in local social development action.

Keywords: Community Volunteering, Connection-centered, Development Action, Social
Community-Based Organizations, Volunteering, Local

Introduction

Social development is a complex process which encompasses all aspects of
development, for example, economic, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental,

and is predominantly policy-driven in order for it to take place without a greater

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