Volunteering is always a “give and take” and there is nothing wrong starting with the taking part. You can start volunteering for yourself even without thinking too much about your motivation. After all by volunteering you can learn so many things, new skills, new connections and if you live overseas, it can make you feel part of the community.

If Barcelona can become the Capital of Volunteerism in the EU for 2014, why not a South Asian city can aspire to something similar? Volunteerism can renovate a new sense of unity and common belonging in the region while fostering the foundations for a better and more equal society.