志愿服务的精神SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan pointed out in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the International Year of Volunteers (2001); At the heart of volunteering are the ideals of services and solidarity and the belief that together we can make the world better. In that sense, we can say that volunteerism is the ultimate expression of what the United Nations is all about. His remarks expressed the essence of volunteerism. They also conveyed the sincere admiration that most people have for volunteers. Volunteerism is composed of: Dedication, Fraternity, Mutual-aid and Progress.

联合国秘书长科菲·安南在“ 2001 国际志愿者年”启动仪式上的讲话中指出：“志愿精神的核心是服务、团结的理想和共同使这个世界变得更加美好的信念。从这个意义上说，志愿精神是联合国精神的最终体现。”这句话指出了志愿精神的本质，表达了人们对志愿服务的由衷赞美。志愿服务的精神概括起来是：奉献、友爱、互助、进步。

1. Dedication
1. 奉献

The original meaning of dedication is to respectfully give or submit without asking for a reward. The spirit of contribution is admirable; it is the core value of volunteerism. Volunteers promote the development of society and social progress without expecting reward, fame, benefit or privilege. All their actions embody the admirable spirit of contribution. In 1938, Dr. Norman Bethune gave up a wealthy life in Canada and traveled thousands of miles and came to China . He provided medical care for the Chinese army and helped establish medical schools in military areas. He wrote and edited numerous textbooks; he taught medical students. In the autumn of 1939, while trying to save a wounded soldier he cut his hand and septicemia set in. He sacrificed his life for China . His life remains an inspiring international expression of a personal dedication.

“奉献”原指恭敬地交付、呈献，即不求回报地付出。奉献精神是高尚的，是志愿服务精神的精髓。志愿者在不计报酬、不求名利、不要特权的情况下参与推动人类发展、促进社会的活动，这些都体现着高尚的奉献精神。 1938 年，白求恩大夫放弃优越的物质条件，不远万里从加拿大来到中国，为八路军提供医疗救治服务，帮助创办了军区卫生学校，亲自编写各种教材并讲课。 1939 年秋，他在抢救伤员时因不幸感染病毒而牺牲。白求恩大夫将自己的生命奉献给了中国，这种国际主义精神也是奉献精神的重要体现。

2. Fraternity
2. 友爱

Volunteerism advocates that the volunteers should appreciate others, show kindness to others, love others and respect others. This is also friendship. The love of volunteers goes beyond nationality, profession, wealth, culture, and race. It is a love of equality, and it fills society with warmth of sunlight. A good example is the Doctors Without Borders (Medicines Sans Frontiers). This organization, in spite of race, politics or religious beliefs, provides humanitarian support to the victims who suffered because of catastrophe, disasters and wars. What they contributed is the love beyond borders. On October 15, 1999, MSF received Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its member ' s continuous efforts to give to those victims professional assistance as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

志愿服务精神提倡志愿者欣赏他人、与人为善、有爱无碍、平等尊重，这便是友爱精神。志愿者之爱跨越了国界、职业和贫富差距，是没有文化差异，没有民族之分，没有收入高低的平等之爱，它让社会充满阳光般的温暖。如无国界医生，他们不分种族、政治及宗教信仰，为受天灾、人祸及战火影响的受害者提供人道援助，他们奉献的是超国界之爱。 1999 年 10 月 5 日，无国界医生组织因“一直坚持使灾难受害者享有获得迅速而有效的专业援助的权利”而获得当年的诺贝尔和平奖。

3. Mutual-aid
3. 互助

Volunteerism is also characterized by a profound spirit of mutual-aid. Mutual-aid advocates philosophy of Help each other, help oneself. Volunteers use their hands, minds, knowledge and loving hearts to organize all kinds of caring activities, to assist those who are in times of difficulty and crisis. The spirit of mutual assistance among volunteers awakens kindness and charity in lots of people promoting them to devote the extra money and time they have to others. They assist others to cope with hardship, and eventually have become independent, self-reliable and productive members of society. Then they helped continue their job and help more people. This is what mutual-aid is all about.

志愿服务包含着深刻的互助精神，它提倡“互相帮助、助人自助”。志愿者凭借自己的双手、头脑、知识、爱心开展各种志愿服务活动，帮助那些处于困难和危机中的人们。志愿服务者以“互助”精神唤醒了许多人内心的仁爱和慈善，使他们付出所余，持之以恒地真心奉献。“助人自助”帮助人们走出困境，自强自立，重返生活舞台。受助者获得生活的能力后，也会投入到关心他人、帮助他人、为社会做贡献的志愿活动中，这些志愿活动都涵盖着深刻的“互助”精神。

4. Progress
4. 进步

The spirit of making progress is an important part of volunteerism. When volunteers serve others and society, they improve themselves and also facilitate social progress. The spirit of progress can be felt everywhere in voluntary activities. We would conclude that it is a major reason why people are willing to dedicate themselves to voluntary service and seek the harmony of society.

进步精神是志愿服务精神的重要组成部分，志愿者通过参与志愿服务，使自己的能力得到提高，同时促进了社会的进步。在志愿活动中无处不体现着“进步”的精神，正是这一精神使人们甘心付出，追求社会和谐之境的实现。

Volunteerism is a noble and precious spirit, which encourages people to work not so much for individual benefits, but to pursue the common welfare while at the same time fulfill their own values. Language is not good enough to describe the charm of volunteerism, so let us praise it with our hearts and souls!

志愿精神作为一种宝贵而高尚的情操，使人们超越个人利益而追求共同福利，实现人生最高价值。我们甚至无法用语言来描述志愿精神的魅力，就让我们用心灵来讴歌它吧！