Established in 1936, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has a rich legacy of social research. It has contributed continually towards creating an ecologically sustainable and just society by catering to the emerging needs of India. TISS offers some of the most contemporary and socially relevant study programs in social sciences and applied human service professions.
With a special emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable groups, the diverse social research areas of institute include – climate change and action, sustainability and renewable energy, disability and access, mental health, gender studies, migrants and migration, human trafficking, and disaster risk management.
Whilst there exists an abundance of well-defined indicators to measure and track company efforts in the realm of “Environment” and “Governance”, what constitutes social impact can be given even more attention.
Current dimensions such as customer satisfaction, labor standards, safety conditions are often measured by prescribed indicators which only partially captures the lived experience of company beneficiaries, employees, and local communities. As such, TISS and Voluntas are committed to explore a more inclusive framework to capture the meaning organizations can generate for their (1) employees (2) local communities (3) city and (4) customers and suppliers.
This will be done through jointly drafting whitepapers supported by TISS students’ urban and rural fieldwork as well as the preparation and teaching of ESG reporting courses directed towards companies and municipalities in Maharashtra.
The partnership also includes internship opportunities for TISS master students at Voluntas’ Mumbai office.
Voluntas is very proud to have entered an academic partnership with such an esteemed academic institution and look forward to working alongside the Labour Market Research Facility and Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability over the next three years.
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
The Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights (ArMA) – hosted and coordinated by Saint Joseph University of Beirut – is one of seven regional programs of the Global Campus of Human Rights (GCHR). It offers a unique cross-regional and interdisciplinary program, combining research-oriented courses with insights from practitioners from across the MENA region. The ArMA program is implemented by the Institute of Political Science at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, in cooperation with Birzeit University in Palestine, the International University of Rabat in Morocco, the University of Carthage in Tunisia, the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
Saint Joseph University is a private Lebanese university established in 1875. The Global Campus of Human Rights brings together around a hundred universities around the world, seeking to advance human rights and democracy through regional and global cooperation for education and research on these themes. Aligned with this, Voluntas’ Center for Applied Meaningfulness rests on the belief that meaningfulness is a better way of measuring societal well-being or human progress than existing indexes such as GDP or happiness. Whilst Voluntās has already measured and explored the impact of meaningfulness across organizations, the Center for Applied Meaningfulness investigates meaningfulness across all aspects of life – including within education. The MoU between Voluntas and the ArMA is therefore closely aligned with the overall purpose of Voluntas and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness.
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Based on the MoU, Voluntas and Saint Joseph University will collaborate to uncover the anatomy of meaningfulness amongst students of the ArMA. This will be done through the implementation of meaningfulness surveys throughout the program where the core drivers of meaning will be measured. Furthermore, Voluntas will be actively participating in the elaboration and preparation of lectures related to democratization, applied research in human rights, and transition processes in the MENA. The partnership will also offer ArMA students the opportunity of completing internships at Voluntas, as well as see the implementation of events on applied meaningfulness in Beirut.
As an initial phase, the Voluntas-ArMA MoU will be active until 2025. As such, Voluntas and ArMA pledge to create more avenues for meaningful academic cooperation, while emphasizing the importance of fact-based research in the areas of democratization and human rights.
This project is another testament to the opportunities created through the bridging of academia and the private sector. In late august 2022, Voluntas was also part of the announcement of the world’s most meaningful university in Esbjerg having participated in the design of the concept and curriculum. As such, at Voluntas we humbly approach education as not only a universal human right but also as a pathway to realize human potential, across all disciplines and pathways of life.
More and more students suffer from loneliness, stress and unhappiness. All learning starts with self-understanding and insight into who you are and want to become, as well as what you can and cannot do. We therefore need to educate people for life skills through a culture that stimulates self-insight and self-respect and thus the foundation for a healthy and meaningful life.
Morten Albæk
Founder and CEO of Voluntas
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
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More and more students suffer from loneliness, stress and unhappiness and therefore our main idea is to embrace existential aspects of learning at least as much as the academic ones. All learning starts with self-understanding and insight into who you are and want to become, as well as what you can and cannot do. We therefore want to educate people for life skills through a culture that stimulates self-insight and self-respect and thus the foundation for a healthy and meaningful life
Morten Albæk
Founder and CEO
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Esbjerg Municipality and the largest companies in Esbjerg stand behind Education Esbjerg such as Blue Water Shipping, Microsoft, Mærsk, Deloitte and Ascanius.
Through a master’s course, the students must be linked to the companies, in order to build a bridge between theory and practice, students will be linked to companies throughout their masters course
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We believe in core expertise, digital frameworks, mentoring schemes with the business world and translation of academic knowledge into practical knowledge and application.
We believe in togetherness and well-being through cooperation, friendships and unforgettable moments.
We believe in fostering self-knowledge and self-respect and realizing human potential.
Education Esbjerg combines academic knowledge and applied experience with training in self-understanding and healthy social relationships. This combined curriculum will breed well-being, self-respect, and lifelong learning.
Convert knowledge and data about students into meaningful initiatives and optimizations
Creation of greater self-insight and self-knowledge through conversations with fellow students about existential topics
Lecturers and graduate students are offered a free coaching education, where they share their own insights and experiences with bachelor students via individual coaching sessions
Build Denmark’s strongest student communities in collaboration with cultural and sports associations
Ongoing measurement of the drivers of students’ sense of meaning – from the day they first enter to their graduation. The measurements of meaing provide continuous insight into the direction for the further development of the framework for the students’ everyday life
8 out of 10 of the country’s students in higher education feel stressed – and close to half feel lonely[1].
In Southwest Jutland, 19 out of 20 young people leave the region when they have to start a master’s degree – and only 1 out of 7 return three years after completing their education[2].
If the number of highly educated people in Southwest Jutland is raised to the national average in 2030, estimates indicate that if the number of highly educatied people in Southwest Jutland is raised to the national average by 2030, the region would see 800 new jobs and an additional 600 billion DKK in GDP (2018 level)[3] 3) strengthening of public finances by over DKK 200 billion DKK (2018 level) [4].
[1] Dansk Magisterforening, Stress blandt studerende, 2020
[2] Danmarks Evalueringsinstitut, Et nyt perspektiv på trivsel: Studierelaterede følelser på de videregående uddannelser, 2019
[3][4] Højbjerre Brauer Schultz, Samfundsøkonomiske konsekvenser af uddannelsesniveauet i Sydvestjylland, 2020
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
In recent years, Tunisia has undergone profound political and social changes and currently faces a severe economic crisis The unemployment rate reached 18.4% in 2021, with 40% of under 25s and 24.8% of women out of work. There are growing disparities in living standards between regions and political participation has declined.
Within this context, radicalisation, and exposure to violent extremism –in part linked to the phenomenon of the return of jihadist fighters (foreign fighters) – is a major challenge in Tunisia, particularly among marginalized youth. This risk is aggravated by the lack of detection mechanisms throughout the country and the absence of continuous dialogue between young people and public authorities, particularly the security sector.
An integrated approach through actions at local, national, and institutional levels targeting a range of actors with complementary roles and responsibilities.
Based on best practices drawn from the final evaluation of the EU-funded IcSP actions carried out by Voluntas between February and June 2021, “Nos Racines” has been designed under a cascading grants funding format. This approach will be implemented through partners, ICCG and FACE Tunisia, with local non-state actors (civil society organisations) operating on different sub-themes. This will ensure the territorial anchorage of the implemented actions, while responding to different local needs in a mosaic approach, thus allowing for a better adaptability of the project toolbox, and a refinement of both territorial and beneficiary targeting.
Some key figures
The project is implemented by Voluntas as Lead Partner, and ICCG and FACE as co-partners. The project will also include partnerships with institutional and local actors
Project activities implemented with non-state actors and institutional partners in nine governorates across Tunisia.
Ifrikya Center for Common Ground (ICCG) will empower its local civil society partners to conduct a process of multi-stakeholder community dialogues, thus building trust between key stakeholders (youth, local authorities, security forces, etc.) targeted by the project. ICCG will also build women’s capacity and empowerment to identify and prevent early signs of vulnerability among young people, with the support and collaboration of local women’s organisations and institutions in the target localities (Mothers’ Brigade).
Foundation FACE Tunisia aims to have an impact within communities as part of a local approach, by strengthening the resilience of those most at risk from violent extremism, but also by playing a key role in preventing violence itself. The action will promote the social and professional (re)integration of young Tunisians in vulnerable situations, with a particular focus on women and youth ex detainees.
Voluntas, while leading the overall project, will implement capacity building sessions for 100 preachers and imams selected by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The aim is to provide technical support in modern mediation and communication skills, in order to bring imams/preachers closer to their respective communities, especially youth. This will help limit the exposure of the most vulnerable populations to potentially extremist religious discourse.
Voluntas will also support the institutional and technical development of the National Commission for the Fight against Terrorism (CNLCT), in order to contribute to the strengthening of its capacity as a key actor of preventing violent extremism in Tunisia.
European Union Delegation in Tunisia
The 2011 Revolution marked a turning point in the EU-Tunisia partnership. Since then, the EU has been a key partner supporting Tunisia’s transition towards a modern democracy. Through all its instruments, the EU is supporting democratic and socioeconomic reforms, accompanying electoral processes, promoting human rights, strengthening civil society actors, enhancing economic and trade integration, and improving security. Since 2011, EU assistance to Tunisia has amounted to almost €3 billion with over €2 billion in grants and €1.1 billion in macro-financial assistance (concessional loans).
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
With Sudan still ranking as the 138th state out of 162 countries in the Gender Inequality Index, millions of women face economic and political exclusion. These challenges are especially exacerbated amongst refugee women. As such, changing perceptions and attitudes, and ensuring vulnerable women and girls have access to opportunities is a long-term effort, which can only be achieved by involving local stakeholders and civil society organizations currently playing an active role in the development of their communities and their country.
Since 2018, Search for Common Ground (Search) in Sudan has implemented the three-year Maa Baaad Namo/We Grow Together project in collaboration with five local partner organizations. The project focused on increasing the capacity, networks, and opportunities of Sudanese civil society organizations to improve vulnerable women and girls’ access to multi-sectoral development. Project activities took place in five states in Sudan: West Kordofan, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Gedaref, and Kassala.
Voluntas carried out the final evaluation of the project through an in-depth review of programmatic documentation, a listenership survey in selected target locations, by interviewing partner and local civil society organizations, staff, government, and media representatives, involved in the project as well as discussing with local communities.
Based on the findings of the final evaluation, Voluntas advised Search on lessons learned and fact-based recommendations to further enhance programming activities focused on supporting women and girls’ access to multi-sectoral development opportunities in the country.
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
Libya faces numerous barriers to sustainable livelihoods, exacerbated by the political unrest the country has been facing since 2011. Among these barriers is high unemployment, particularly among youth. Within this context, Amideast launched the “Skills for Tomorrow” (SFT) program aimed at increasing employability skills and equipping Libyan youth with the skills they need for success while encouraging them to be leaders in their communities. The program is designed to provide training for 105 Libyan students in disadvantaged neighborhoods in seven locations across the country.
The support includes conducting baseline, mid-term and end-line assessments to develop actionable recommendations for program implementation and evaluate the program’s impact. The baseline study was conducted in August 2020, providing insights on how participating Libyan youth view leadership and their educational and career aspirations. In January 2022, Voluntas conducted the midterm study providing additional insights to the baseline and a deeper understanding of the perceptions and challenges of participating Libyan youth.
Amideast and Voluntas share a common purpose: to provide Libyan youth with opportunities to realize their human potential and become the future leaders of their country.
Voluntas supported Amideast by conducting a baseline and midterm study of the “Skills for Tomorrow” program, enabling a better understanding of the challenges and lessons learned voiced by the students. The reports also allowed unlocking a deeper knowledge of the program’s participants perceptions of leadership, and their aspirations for the future.
Amideast is a leading American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training, and development activities in the MENA region.
On 10th January 2023 Voluntās and the Center for Applied Meaningfulness took a giant stride towards establishing meaningful academic collaborations in India when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Asia’s oldest school for professional social work.
On September 15th, 2022, Voluntas and the Arab Master’s program in Democracy and Human Rights, “Global Campus – Arab World” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a new era of cross-sector collaboration in the MENA region.
Esbjerg wants to create the world’s most human university with a central focus on education, human development and a high degree of belonging.
Voluntas and the star architect company Bjarke Ingels group are supporting the project.
Based on Morten Albæks philosophy of a meaningful life, the students must embark on an educational journey based on becoming self-realized people who master their encounters with life’s coincidences, opportunities, and challenges.
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