Volunteer Space

The Lusófona University - University Center of Porto, under the Innovate & Empower project, held on March 21, an event called Volunteer Space, which welcomed 6 social solidarity institutions potentially welcoming volunteers.
ADDIM - Democratic Association for the Defense of Interests and Association for the Defense of Women's Interests and Equality, ADICE - Association for the Integrated Integrated Development of the City of Ermesinde, the CAIS Association, Modus de Ver, Refugees Welcome Ver, Refugees Welcome Portugal and Saber Compreender.

The Associations were distributed throughout the main corridor of the ULusófona - CUP, presenting to the students their scope of action, their mission, and some of the objectives through which they guide their intervention in the community. In addition to their promotional materials, the invited associations were also able to have, for one day, a "branch" of their solidarity stores, where they could sell some of their products, the profit of which would revert to continue financing their activities.

Simultaneously with this event, the entire academic community could also admire a photographic exhibition organized by Refugees Welcome which aimed to portray "A look the Balkans - towards the European dream" that gathers images taken by migrants
migrants and refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a photographic project carried out by Refugees Welcome Portugal in the country. The forographs portray the path taken by thousands of people who daily try to reach Europe, where they hope to find peace, security where they hope to find peace, security, and a happier future. But what they end up finding find is anything but what they imagined.
The initiative attracted students, teachers and employees of the University, who were interested in learning about the activities of the associations invited, and potentially available, in the vast majority of cases, to volunteer,
thus assisting in the pursuit of their objectives within the community.

Integrated in the event that celebrated Social Service Day, and after the Volunteering Fair, the Volunteering Stock Exchange was launched, created by 2nd year students of the Degree in Social Service and made available to the entire academic community. Priority was given to institutions in the vicinity of the University Center of Porto of Universidade Lusófona and more than thirty non-profit institutions joined.
Besides the presentation of Lusófona Voluntária - Bolsa de Voluntariado, which can be can be accessed here, the students made a brief presentation, in pitch format, of several several of the institutions therein. Their goal was to present each institution and promote the interest of the entire academic community to volunteer. to volunteer.

The end of this lively session included the participation of several institutions that in a tertulia, where the role of universities in promoting the global development of their students was discussed.
Voluntari(ARTE) was the name given to the meeting, which had as guests representatives associations that are part of the Lusófona's Volunteer Work Exchange. Voluntary. The moderator was Prof. Dr. Cristiana Almeida, director of the of Social Service of this University, the interaction between the participants and the participants and the public was privileged. The room was filled with Social Work and Management students interested in complementing their academic training with field practice, on a voluntary basis. on a volunteer basis.

In this session, the representatives of the solidarity associations invited challenged the students to volunteer actions, presenting their purposes and the added value of being a volunteer. At the request of the University, proposals for co-construction of joint synergies were also suggested. As an example, ADDIM - Democratic Association for the Defense of Women's Interests and Equality, which helps women and children victims of crime and/or discrimination, requested support for the construction of baskets to be offered to people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability.

Modus de Ver that assumes itself as a unique and differentiating cultural project that intends to complement and generate synergies that enhance "an even stronger presence and charismatic presence of the Portuguese and the people of Porto Alegre" through video and photography donation of roll cameras. The donated material will be used in a that brings together children and the elderly in the geographical area of Lusófona on a photographic safari and in training for the development of analog photographs.

Refugees Welcome Portugal is part of an international movement created with the goal of contributing to the creation of a culture of welcome to migrants and refugees refugees, through greater proximity to host communities, is planning to organize a summer camp for young people, for which it is looking for university students university students to be monitors on a voluntary basis.

Finally, Saber Compreender, whose mission is to promote a more inclusive society inclusive society, supporting people in situations of greater social and economic vulnerability in the in the free construction and pursuit of their life projects, has made itself available to welcome not only not only volunteers, but also academic internships.
Lusófona University has opened its doors to solidarity associations, and these open their doors to the academic community for volunteer work. This opens up prospects for students to go beyond their academic training and complement their preparation for the world of work through proactive activities of responsible citizenship.

M. Gandhi's call "Be the Change you wish for the World" was the motto for the closing of this session that filled one of the largest rooms at Universidade Lusófona.