Even before global observance of the International Year of Volunteers begins in January, Japanese are deeply involved in a search for the spirit of international volunteerism. Some insist that it is based on the wisdom of Oriental thought.
But, "why is it Oriental?" asks one young man. "Don't you remember that it was President John F. Kennedy who thought up the idea of a youth organization of volunteers for development and founded the Peace Corps in 1961? I cannot quite understand why you say it's Asian or Oriental."
Britain, France, Canada -- and Japan, too -- followed in the footsteps of the United States and established similar organizations, assigning many dedicated young volunteers to developing countries all over the world. Then, in 1970, the United Nations also launched its United Nations Volunteers organization, now headquartered in Bonn, Germany.