Social engagement

Social commitment is a separately motivated social action, which is usually based on the principles of voluntariness and free will. This means you invest time and / or money in a project that serves a good cause ( charity). In this sense it differs from the economic, political and cultural commitment. The term is only since the mid-sixties in the public debate and was sponsored among others by the Christian social teaching.

Social engagement can be done in an environmental protection, human rights, animal welfare or other charitable organization and goes to the support of membership and donations, but is also usually associated with a specific practical use for the common goals. The term was in the seventies also input into the Christian Reflection of diakonia and Caritas (see also social ethics ).

Great response was held in advance of the last two World Youth Days in Toronto and Cologne, the day of social engagement in which the Catholic young people should learn about the social work of the Church in the host country. Similar objectives pursued for a long time, the International Bauorden and initiatives such as the Voluntary social year.

In addition, there is often talk of social commitment of companies, when using these more or less disinterested motives for social projects financially (Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, Corporate Giving ).