Motive Types

Many volunteers in the field of integration mention humanistic motives for their engagement. They emphasise the relevance of justice and human rights. They think that every person has a right to live in social security. Keywords in the framework of this motive type are moral courage, responsibility, cultural sensitivity, harmony, fairness and the demand to live a socially active life. Often persons driven by this motive type express the idea of „giving back to the community“: They are aware that they were lucky enough to be born into a peaceful society full of opportunities and connect this awareness to the demand to give something to those who were not so lucky.

Religious attitudes can be found in all areas of professional and volunteer social acting. The attitude is similar to the type „Humanistic life concept“ but has its roots in religious (mostly Christian) basic values. Keywords in the framework of this motive type are charity, the mission to help those in need and the demand to do good deeds. The underlying conviction is that all human beings are brothers and sisters who should share their troubles and support each other. Helping others is one of the main elements that give meaning to individual lives.

Persons mainly driven by pedagogical motives point out that they want to change and improve the society or parts of it. They feel the need to improve the conditions of human life and are interested to motivate others to rethink their attitudes and behaviour. Persons with this motive type, when working for refugees and asylum seekers,  use their own skills and competences for supporting the personal development and integration of migrants.

This motive type can be found in all forms of civic engagement because volunteering is frequently combined with sociality, getting together and meeting people of different backgrounds and cultures. Persons driven by this motive type enjoy to be involved with people and feel enriched by contacts with culturally contrasting individuals. They are curious, like to expand their horizons and appreciate intercultural exchange.

As explained before egoistic motives are almost always a part of volunteer engagement. In some cases the motivation of fun, pleasure and fulfillment plays the leading role. Persons with this motive like their task and the company of their protégés. Some of them compensate shortcomings in their personal lives by being active volunteers. Older people with „empty nests“ can find new communities and a family-like atmosphere. Others are happy to fulfill tasks they do not find in their professional life. Many experience a sense of purpose and meaning. Particularly in the field of migration and integration some of the volunteers have the impression to be involved in a very topical issue that is controversially discussed in the society and in the media which gives them the feeling to actively participate in proceedings of high relevance.