Celebrating CAs as a force for good on World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day (WHD), which takes place on 19 August each year, aims to bring people together in support of the safety of aid workers across the world.
ICAS President Indy Singh Hothi CA has been a passionate advocate for humanitarianism for many years. Through his passion for social and humanitarian causes, Indy was a trustee and director of Khalsa Aid International, a charity which provides humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones. The charity was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. His work has led him to the frontline on a number of projects.
In a video recorded to celebrate WHD 2022, Indy highlights the role CAs play in humanitarianism and why their trusted skills are a vital part of the projects which save lives and provide urgent help.
“Accounting and finance have a lot to offer because some of our most important values – integrity, professionalism and efficiency – are even more crucial in the charity sector.” Victoria Roo CA, Director of Finance, Mercy Corps
Show your support on WHD
There are many ways that you can help support humanitarian causes, from donating money to donating your time by volunteering.
Indy has put together a short list of his top five benefits of volunteering for those who are interested in getting involved with a cause that matters to them.
Indy’s top five benefits of volunteering:
1. Improve your mental health
The age-old saying of “it is better to give than receive” is supported by research.
A growing body of research is identifying that volunteering contributes to improved mental health and wellbeing.
Also, the social aspect of volunteering alone can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing and mood.
2. A sense of perspective
Volunteering can provide you with a deeper sense of perspective, helping you to become much more empathetic and understanding of the challenges faced in society. Personally, it has pushed me to become a better leader in my professional career as I strive to ask difficult questions to try and find innovative solutions to these problems.
There is a lot to be said for the benefits of empathic leadership in society today - there's nothing ‘soft’ about it.
3. Connect with others
If you have been feeling isolated and lonely recently, or simply want to meet new people and widen your social circle, volunteering in your local community can be a great way to connect with others and make new friends.
Volunteering together with a partner, relative, or friend can strengthen your existing relationships.
4. Build self-confidence and resilience
Knowing that you are using your time to serve others and support people in your community can provide a natural sense of accomplishment and a broader purpose.
Volunteering can provide a self-validating experience and foster a belief in being able to make a difference, this, in turn, brings about improvements in confidence and self-esteem.
5. Improve your physical health
There’s no doubt that volunteering can have some great benefits for your mental health, but it can also improve your physical health.
Many volunteer positions can be highly active or get you outdoors.
I can recount the days when I’ve been involved with local community projects where I’ve easily reached 25,000 steps in a day, whereas my usual average is 9,000 steps!
The benefits of volunteering for organisations
Volunteering in the workplace has risen exponentially over the last decade, led by millennials and now increasingly by generation Z.
This younger demographic is increasingly seeking to integrate their professional careers, personal life and broader interests - throwing away the old notions of ‘work-life balance’.
Increasingly, businesses are seeking to enact their broader purpose and commitment toward the integration of economic, environmental, and social aims into strategic objectives, activities, and planning. This has led to the perfect environment for volunteering opportunities to thrive in the workplace.
To learn more about Indy’s humanitarian work, read his recent article from CA Magazine or listen to him being interviewed by Jonny Jacobs CA for the ICAS Insights podcast.
More about WHD
World Humanitarian Day is observed to commemorate the tragic deaths of 22 people, many of whom were humanitarian aid workers, as a result of a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003.
WHD is a day where we can celebrate the sacrifice and contribution humanitarian workers make in order to help those who are most in need.
