VOLUNTEERS CAN BECOME ACTIVE AGENTS OF CHANGE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Volunteers can become an active agents of
change by helping communities understand that their attitudes towards
environmental issues are crucial in reversing global warming," Jeanne Abdullah,
wife of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday.

In her public lecture entitled "Shaping our future generation", at Soka
Women's College, Soka University, Hachioji, Japan, Jeanne hoped to see the youth
of the world embracing a mission or a cause whether caring for the environment,
human rights or child protection and not limit their contributions to just their
own country.

"As global citizens we must be concerned with what is happening around us
such as a variety of humanitarian crisis arising from armed conflicts, natural
disasters, climat change and also the financial crisis which continue to
threaten the world community," said Jeanne.

The text of her lecture was faxed to Bernama here Wednesday.

Jeaane said volunteerism was an expression of people's willingness and
capacity to freely help others to improve their society and bring significant
benefits to individuals and communities by addressing specific needs.

Thus, she said, the passion and spirit of volunteerism should be ignited
among students so that they could use their vigour and youthful enthusiasm to
help humanity.

Jeanne cited as an example the establishment of the secreteriat of Caring
Malaysia in 2008 with the key mission to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism
among youth and to reach out to those in needs and together to develop a better
the society.

She said by joining the secretariat, volunteers would get to know each
other better, learn from one and another and work together for the benefit of
society.

She said that through volunteering, a practice of people working on behalf
of others without being motivated by financial or material gains could be
promoted and this would improve the quality of life.
--BERNAMA