弘道國際工作營(原名微孝營) Hondao International WorkCamp

    In September 1993, Taiwan’s population of 65 years and older reached 7% nationwide, which officially made it a rapidly aging society by UN’s definition. According to the Executive Yuan’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics’ projection from a few years ago, the aging population was expected reach 10% by 2010, 14% by 2020, and 20% by 2031, where 1 out of 5 person in the population would be a senior citizen. In reality, Taiwan’s aging rate is far more rapid than it was projected. By March 2007, the senior citizen population has reached 10.05%, which is 3 years earlier than projected. At this aging rate, it is highly likely that Taiwan’s aging population will reach 14% as early as 2016. Rising from 7% to 14% in merely 23 years could create a world record in the aging rate, surpassing the rapidly aging Japanese society by a year, and ranking first amongst the world in this respect is a highly alarming sign.

    As these worrisome numbers constantly appear in the new statistics, we clearly sensed the immense shift in population structure and were aware that senior citizens’ issues could nott afford to wait any longer. It was under these circumstances that Hondao Senior Citizen’s Welfare Foundation was founded in March 31, 1995. To better serve senior citizens who live alone throughout Taiwan, the core members of the Foundation created Republic of China (Taiwan) Hondao Volunteer Association with local volunteer stations island-wide by October 18, 1998.

為實施與提倡「在地老化」弘道老人福利基金會成立17年來，積極在全國設立志工站，希望能借由在地志工的力量，服務當地的長輩，使長者在安享晚年之時還能在自己最熟悉的環境走完最後一程。

為了使在地的青年朋友關心高齡化議題，也讓國外青年認識台灣最有人情味及熱情的在地文化，本會自2009年開始與願景青年服務網協會合作，於全國各地舉辦國際工作營。國際工作營的型態是以召集國內外青年共同服務的方式，一同針對各國當地的生態環保、農業田園協助、文化節慶推展、鄉村發展建設、社會弱勢協助及教育閱讀等6大服務議題進行服務。

弘道推動的國際工作營，除了讓在地的青年志工們能夠了解自己所居住的家鄉特色與發展，把自己所居住的家鄉介紹給國際志工認識，進一步達到對家鄉的認同感，也與國際志工能夠互相交流文化與學習，搭起在地與國際間的橋樑。也期待透過國內外青年志工服務當地的長輩，喚醒青年人能夠關懷自己身邊的長輩，並能夠在後續主動的投入當地社區與長輩的服務。也使社區能夠達到凝聚力，更進一步產生達到社區組織培力之效果。