A VSO-Bahaginan Framework for Active Citizenship

Abstract

This article is based on a commissioned work for the Volunteer Service Organization (VSO)-Bahaginan to develop its organizational framework for active citizenship. The primary objective of the paper is to define the role of VSO-Bahaginan in the development of active citizenship in individuals and communities. The resulting framework derived in this paper was based on surveys, interviews and focused group discussion with various VSO-Bahaginan stakeholders, including volunteers and staff. This complemented other workshop outputs and secondary data provided by VSO-Bahaginan. Taken together, these inputs were used in crafting an active citizenship framework that is culturally sensitive to Filipino values. It discusses how VSO-Bahaginan volunteers describe the progression of active citizenship, from kamalayan (awareness) to kamulatan (consciousness) to having a paninindigan (conviction), as an agent of change.