Malta is said to be the third most generous nation in the world when it comes to offering monetary donations, yet the Maltese are likely to turn the other way if they see a stranger in need and are also unlikely to give up their time for voluntary work, according to a 2015 study published by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
The CAF World Giving Index is known around the world as the leading comparative measure of generosity across the globe.
The CAF measures generosity on three counts ‐ giving money, giving time and helping a stranger.
Despite Malta's top three rank when it comes to monetary donations, the island ranked 73rd out of 145 countries when it comes to helping a stranger, and 46th when it comes to giving up time for voluntary work.
50 per cent of the Maltese surveyed said they would help a stranger and 26 per cent said they would give up their time for voluntary work.
The latter two factors drag Malta's overall generosity rank in the index down to 12th place, with Myanmar being ranked as the most generous nation.
Malta's generosity on the donations front was showcased over the past few weeks, with record sums of four million euro having been raised for the Malta Community Chest Fund and a further one million euro was raised for Dar tal-Providenza during the aptly titled 'Feast of Generosity.'
The study notes that against a backdrop of continuing global economic uncertainty, it is particularly heartening that the willingness of people to donate money has increased in 2015.
"While many Western economies have seen only modest growth in recent years, other economies are experiencing profound and transformative growth. In this context, it is more important than ever that we seize the once-in-a-generation opportunity to encourage those enjoying decent incomes for the first time to support good causes," the CAF says.
"That means more than just asking them to give. It means building trusted institutions, good regulation, open and transparent organisations and strong governance so that people can give easily and with confidence.
"This applies not just to the developing world, but also to the developed world, where civil society needs constantly to earn people's trust, so they feel confident that money and time freely given will have the maximum social impact."
Questions have been raised in Malta on this front recently, particularly about how the Malta Community Chest Funds are distributed.
The audited accounts for 2014 show an income of €3,625,472 and expenditure of €518, 560, the bulk of which (€323,093) was spent on Istrina, while a further €113,005 was spent on printing and banners, €57,999 on advertising and public relations and €24,463 on "other expenses."
Expenditure in 2014 increased by over €200,000 in 2013, with this being put down to an increase in the events organised.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1OJMc7c
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