Sultan qaboos university (squ): In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, today organized a forum titled "The Future of Voluntary Work and Sustainable Impact in Light of Social Innovation". The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development for Family and Community Development.
According to Oman News Agency, the forum aimed to highlight innovation's role in advancing voluntary work, equip volunteers and relevant bodies with modern tools for lasting impact, and strengthen partnerships between academic and community institutions to support a sustainable volunteer system. The forum also sought to envision the future of voluntary work in light of contemporary social and technological transformations, while reinforcing the concept of impact within voluntary initiatives and programmes.
The forum featured two scientific sessions focused on the dimensions and future of voluntary work. The first session, entitled "Towards the Sustainability of Voluntary Work: Scientific Insights for Enhancing Long-Term Impact," addressed the importance of building sustainable volunteer models and mechanisms for enhancing the effectiveness and continuity of community initiatives to achieve extended developmental impact. The second session, titled "The Community Impact of Voluntary Initiatives: From Idea to Change," focused on the role of voluntary initiatives in driving positive change within society, transforming ideas into impactful projects that contribute to human development, enhance quality of life, and embed the values of social responsibility.
The forum was accompanied by an exhibition featuring a number of associations and voluntary initiatives from the Sultanate of Oman, alongside several student groups from Sultan Qaboos University interested in voluntary work. The forum's concept emerged from the recommendations of the most recent meeting of the Joint Committee between Sultan Qaboos University and the Ministry of Social Development, concerning the importance of highlighting the impact of voluntary work and charitable groups in Omani society.
The opening of the forum was attended by HH Dr. Sayyid Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, along with a number of officials, stakeholders, and those interested in the fields of voluntary work and community development. The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026). This initiative seeks to establish voluntary work as a key driver of development and to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers globally. Furthermore, it aims to stimulate initiatives at both national and international levels, while calling for the enhanced support and protection of volunteers.