One of the most relevant topics in these times of pandemic, where in several countries, people have started this year to offer their time as volunteers or to financially help local organizations.
Nearly one in two Quebecers have supported a charitable organization since last January. Some participate more than others – or rather some, because it is more often the women, as well as the older people.
And in fact, the more we give, the more we want to give, because it makes us happy. Psychologists had already established it, brain imaging confirmed it: being generous activates two areas of the brain related to pleasure and reward.
Isabelle Burgun talks about generosity and this time of pandemic which also comes to seek the best of us, with:
- Martine Pelletier, associate professor in the communications department of the Université de Sherbrooke. She is interested in the impact of media and fundraising campaigns and generosity during the holiday season;
- Julie fortier, professor in the department of studies in leisure, culture and tourism at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières. Co-director of Leisure and community life laboratory.
The needs are greater than ever with the health crisis and the economic problems it causes. Are Quebecers there? Was their commitment different this year: donations of money, food, time?
More than one in three Quebecers (38%) volunteered in 2017, according to the Quebec Volunteer Action Network. At the start of the pandemic, the call “I volunteer” strongly mobilized citizens. Can we still see it on the ground at the end of the year? Is it still true that more women are getting involved? And that the place of young people is growing?
However, the needs are very great. How to further stimulate giving and volunteering? The holiday season is obviously an opportunity: does it have a measurable impact on the rest of the year?
Beyond helping the most disadvantaged, at the municipal level, volunteer action by citizens is also an essential resource for the vitality of cities.
And what lessons can we learn from the pandemic?
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I vote for science is broadcast Monday at 1 p.m. on the five regional stations of Radio VM. It is hosted by Isabelle Burgun. Search for this show: Aurélie Lagueux-Beloin. You can also listen to us, among others, on CIBO (Senneterre), CFOU (Trois-Rivières), CIAX (Windsor) and CFLX (Sherbrooke).
On this page you will find links to shows from previous seasons. You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
Image: Hands of mutual aid. Gordon Johnson / Pixabay
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