The Voluntary Service Law, one of the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was issued on January 22, 2020. The 'National Committee for Voluntary Service' was established under this law.
The Voluntary Service Law aims to regulate voluntary service and develop its field, disseminate the culture of voluntary service among members of society and its institutions, regulate the relationship between the parties involved in voluntary service, define their rights and duties, promote the values of national belonging, humanitarian action, and social responsibility among members of society and its institutions, and develop the capacities of volunteers while guiding them towards national priorities.
National Committee for Voluntary Service
It is a national committee established under the chairmanship of the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, with membership comprising representatives from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and Ministry of Media, as well as the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, General Directorate of Civil Defense, National Risk Unit, Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, an officer from private voluntary associations, and a person involved in voluntary service.
Functions of the National Committee for Voluntary Service
The National Committee for Voluntary Service is responsible for coordinating with relevant entities to develop strategies for voluntary service, as well as mechanisms for the regulation and development of voluntary service. Additionally, the committee oversees volunteer databases, supports the organization of conferences and symposiums, promotes and activates research and studies on voluntary service in coordination with relevant entities, and highlights voluntary efforts in the Kingdom at the national, regional, and international levels. Furthermore, it is tasked with preparing annual reports on voluntary service in the Kingdom and determining the controls for licensing and registering voluntary teams.
Responsibilities of beneficiary entities from voluntary service
Beneficiary entities of voluntary service are dedicated to receiving, reviewing, and deciding on volunteer applications, and recruiting individuals interested in voluntary service from among its employees or others to participate in volunteer programs organized by beneficiary entities or external volunteer programs, subject to relevant instructions. Furthermore, the entities are committed to designing volunteer programs according to their developmental goals, providing training and enhancing volunteers' capabilities in their respective fields, and overseeing, refining, and motivating volunteer performance.
Individual's rights and duties in voluntary service
A volunteer is entitled, per the provisions of the law and within the powers and resources, to receive from the beneficiary entity the training required in his field of volunteer service; devices, tools, and clothes required for voluntary service; meals, transportation, and accommodation if voluntary service is carried out outside his area of residence; treatment if he is injured during training or voluntary service or during his commute to and from voluntary service; an identification card from the beneficiary; and a volunteering certificate issued by the beneficiary indicating the type and duration of voluntary service, number of service hours, and experience gained therefrom.
Individuals involved in volunteer service must adhere to the ethics and manners required by voluntary service; carry out voluntary service with honesty and integrity in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and instructions; comply with the beneficiary entity’s laws, instructions, and controls; return items handed over to him in the condition they were received; comply with the measures which ensure the safety and protection of volunteers during fieldwork, in coordination with the beneficiary entity; refrain from disclosing any information related to voluntary service during or after the completion of his service; and refrain from sharing or disclosing any information to the media without obtaining permission from the beneficiary entity head; the beneficiary may take any measure necessary to ensure the volunteer's compliance with the requirements and principles of voluntary service.
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