Young people in the Saudi capital are increasingly volunteering to help the needy, Arab News has found.

“This is good, to say the least. It shows not only the civic responsibility of the youth but also their capabilities as leaders of the future,” said Saad Al-Bazei, a Shoura Council member.

He said the Ministry of Social Affairs has been holding a forum every year to promote volunteerism among the country’s youth, with the participation of several groups.

Muhammad Al-Zamzani, a member of one such group, said: “Young as they are, the participants at the forum were confident that they could contribute to society, even if only in small ways.”

A volunteer group in the Saudi capital held a conference on using the media to spread the message. Hani Mogbil Al-Moqbil, the team leader, said the aim was to “teach people to help others by disseminating information through the media.”

He said that the dissemination of information could be done in different ways, including a public forum. About 1,000 young Saudi men and women attended the event.

A group in Ergah district northwest of the Saudi capital is also engaged in community work. Badr Fahad Al-Jeraisy, the group’s social committee spokesman, said: “We want to show what we can achieve through voluntary work.”

Al-Jeraisy, a 28-year-old teacher at an intermediate school, said that his group helps local residents in surrounding neighborhoods.

“Support for our group is an investment in the future of Saudi youth,” he said.

Another group, Rekaaz, aims to instill good values among young Saudis between the ages of 15 and 25. Its theme this year is “forgiveness.” Over the last four years, it has promoted respect for mothers, developing self-esteem, fostering the desire to succeed in life, and instilling a sense of responsibility toward society.

“If all these values are inculcated in young minds, they can become good members of society and Rekaaz’s efforts won’t have been in vain,” said the group’s spokesman.

Another group is Sanabel Club, whose spokesperson Shahinas Hosni, said: “We want to shed light on our work with orphans. We are more privileged than them. That’s why it’s our duty to uplift them and raise awareness about their plight,” Hosni said.