History of volunteerism

Initially, there has been some traits that have helped shape the cultura of volunteerism.  Without going too much into detail, we find in our recent past some historical events that indicate changes in the evolution of volunteerism in Spain.

In a distant past, we find the weight exerted by religion and by the Catholic church in Spain, both in the nineteenth century, as in the early twentieth century until the Spanish Civil War.  The solidarity actions where characterized by a mood of charity and welfare.  This action was restricted to aiding the “paupers” and “most needy.”

The development of volunteerism in Spain has some singular characteristics in regards to the other countries close to our environment.  While in other European countries developed a welfare state, after the Second World War, in Spain during the dictatorship the involvement of associations and volunteerism was more restricted.

A significant event for associations was the enactment of the Ley de asociaciones de 1964 (Association Law of 1964), in the full economic development.  The state assumes welfare functions and they create these type of services in the Central Administration and periphery.  The organizations of social character that are tied to the political regime are weakened, and many of them go into the government administration.  The organizations that are tied to the Church adapted to these changes.  In addition, there are new organizations of private character and nonprofit, in defense of social interests, that are specific and for a group.

Until the 70’s volunteerism, as Tavassa indicates, has been the “repairing” type since then it became more of a “social cushion.” During this decade, it has adopted different forms: charity, philanthropy, aid, being at the same time generous and selfless, with little training and pushed by various religious and secular motivations.  In many cases, it has stressed more on the consequences of the problems than on the causes¹.

By that time there was a dawn of the volunteer sector.  Associations for the affected and platforms with a reinvindicative character, although mostly discreet.  There emerged social delegates and civic associations that are recognized as valid by the regime, at the same time they made progress at the social level.  It was times when there began participative action of the citizens and the resolution of individual interests.

The Constitución Española de 1978 (1978 Spanish Constitution) marks a before and after in all the sectors and also at the social level.  There is a new political frame that develops through the democratic system of the economic market that is shaping what is named the Estado de Bienestar (Welfare State).

This policy framework is based on certain basic principles such as the State intervention in the economy through a redistributive tax system, the provision of some services of universal social protection regardless of income level (education, health, pensions, etc.) and State responsibility in maintaining a minimum level of income as a social right.  The different factors involved in the development of these principles have different roles in shaping the Estado de Bienestar (Welfare State):

During the 80’s there has been developing a configuration process, following readjustment, of the so called Estado de Bienestar (Welfare State).  There is no doubt that the civic society has participated in the changes that have been made, influencing the economic, political, cultural and social sectors, as organizations or through their representatives.

At this stage the civic participation expands, at the same time that social action of organizations and associations of all types is refined.  Many volunteer action leaders move from political militancy to trade union in the wake of democracy.  There are new social movements, protests, working toward reaching legal objectives and a better quality of life.

But certainly a significant event for volunteers during this time is the enactment of the Leyes Autonomicas de Servicios Sociales (State Laws of Social Services), in the implementation of Article 148.20 of the Constitution which provides the authority of Social Services to the CC.AA.  From 1982 to 1992 arose state laws which provide in its articles recognition of volunteerism as a fundamental and complementary action in the intervention of social services.

• Include a definition of volunteering
• The majority emphasizes the basic principles of volunteerism (solidarity, generosity, partnership, participation, etc..)
• Generally, identifiy areas of action (whether in the social area, those that only legislate this point, or in general)
• They point out the characteristics of the organizations that may have volunteers and establish some requirements (internal operation, organization, etc..)
• Establish a register of associations and, in some cases, volunteers,
• Delimit the powers of the Administration in relation to volunteering,
• Some establish a charter of rights and duties of volunteers,
• They often include measures to promote and support the work of volunteers.

There are no translations available.

En esta etapa la participación ciudadana se expande, al tiempo que se acrisola la acción social de organizaciones y asociaciones de todo tipo. Muchos líderes de la acción voluntaria pasan a la militancia política y sindical a raíz de la apertura democrática. Aparecen nuevos movimientos sociales, reivindicativos, hacia la conquista de logros de carácter legal y de una mayor calidad de vida.

Pero, sin duda, un hecho significativo para el voluntariado en esta época es la promulgación de las strong>Leyes Autonómicas de Servicios Sociales , en desarrollo del artículo 148.20 de la Constitución que otorga la competencia de Servicios Sociales a las CC.AA. Desde 1982 a 1992 surgen estas leyes autonómicas que contemplan en su articulado el reconocimiento del Voluntariado, como acción complementaria y fundamental en la intervención de los servicios sociales.

Las Leyes de Servicios Sociales incluyen aspectos similares en referencia al voluntariado: