The thesis is devoted to the study of the state of volunteering in Ukraine, its
gradual development, the historical background of this phenomenon, and some
aspects of its development in the international community. The results of theoretical
and historical analysis of socio-pedagogical conditions of the volunteer movement of
the country (the end of XX – the beginning of XXI centuries) are presented in the
paper. Some aspects, such as the development or strengthening of life core values in
all parties involved in volunteering, and the positive impact of volunteering on
participants and society in general. The work emphasizes the necessity to create the
described socio-pedagogical conditions for the further development of volunteering,
the expansion and improvement of volunteering in Ukraine.
The scientific novelty of the dissertation research is: for the first time theoretically
substantiated the genesis of the volunteer movement in Ukraine in the late XX - early
XXI century, which has not been earlier the subject of special in retrospect (1991 -
2014) research; also according to the results of the analysis of the volunteer
movement evolution in Ukraine as a socio-pedagogical phenomenon, its main stages
are determined and substantiated: 1991 - 2002, 2003 - 2010, 2011 – 2014; sociopedagogical conditions of volunteer movement development are determined:
improvement of regulatory and legal support and protection of volunteer groups
activity; implementation of appropriate state support; active participation of
government agencies in promoting volunteering in society; produce and
implementation of targeted programs for volunteer units` and philanthropists` /
donors` cooperation; increasing the responsibility of organizations which engage
participants into volunteering; optimization of interaction between volunteers and
recipients of volunteer services; framing the readiness of the person for volunteering.
The conceptual and categorical apparatus of research based on clarifying the
essence of the concepts "volunteer" and "volunteer movement" is improved. The legal
framework for the development of the volunteer movement in the late XX - early XXI
century is analyzed. The international experience of volunteering is analyzed.
Scientific approaches to expanding and deepening the content, forms and methods of
volunteer movement development in Ukraine at the present stage is further developed,
the prospects for the development of the volunteer movement in Ukraine as a result of
studying domestic and foreign experience is outlined.
The practical significance of the work is: the main theoretical provisions and
conclusions of the dissertation can be used in further historical and pedagogical
research on volunteering in Ukraine, as well as become a basis for writing textbooks,
manuals, professional literature, special courses, curriculums, syllabuses, lectures,
seminars, etc.
The research is based on the results of analysis of the studied literature taking into
account the interdisciplinary nature of the volunteer movement, as well as various
methodological approaches (presented at the level of methodology of pedagogy,
history of pedagogy, philosophy, sociology, psychology, history, etc.).
Documentary and mass sources, as well as scientific literature on the research
problem are identified. Numerous pedagogical, sociological, psychological,
philosophical, political, gerontological, legal, medical and economic researches on
volunteering have been studied. The existence of a layer of knowledge of
multidisciplinary nature of the issue in world science is proved. The conceptual and
categorical apparatus of the research is analyzed; the main aspects of the development
of volunteering in Ukraine are studied and described.
The study of the essence of the phenomenon of volunteering, which is determined
by the national scientific heritage, made it possible to reveal the basic units of the
conceptual and terminological apparatus of volunteering, including "volunteer",
"volunteering", "volunteer services", "volunteer movement". Defined: volunteer - a
person who via their voluntary and free of charge activities participates in solving
certain problems, helps others by providing a range of services (volunteer services)
without been paid for their actions, without pressure, in order to improve the situation
(both for individuals and social groups (clients)), chosen by them or by a group of
persons (volunteer group), or by the engaging organization, to improve the life
conditions within the local community or in the country as a whole. It is established
that the volunteer movement is a constant development and expansion of
volunteering, its impact on problem solving in the community, and also its influence
on personal and social transformation.
