La Cantonal Day for Life 2026 It is proposed once again as a moment of reflection and awareness on social issues that affect the everyday of the Canton. This year, particular attention is focused on the commitment of those who choose to dedicate part of their time to social volunteering, helping to support individuals and families in vulnerable situations.
To give voice to this widespread but often little visible reality, the Division of Social Action and Families (DASF) of the Department of Health and Social Services (DSS) promoted the making of the documentary Alongside People: Stories of Social Volunteering in TicinoThe project was born with the aim of valorizing the daily work of volunteers active in the area, highlighting their contribution to social cohesion.
Testimonies of commitment and solidarity
The film brings together a series of firsthand accounts from men and women, young and old, united by their choice to volunteer. Their stories reveal diverse personal journeys, profound motivations, and concrete experiences alongside people experiencing moments of vulnerability.
The stories narrated highlight not only the value of the help offered, but also the human relationship that develops between those who provide service and those who receive support. Volunteering thus appears as a space for mutual exchange: an experience in which the act of giving is often intertwined with the discovery of new relationships, skills, and perspectives.
The documentary also explores the challenges that characterize this commitment: managing emotions, dealing with complex situations, and the need to collaborate with associations and institutions across the canton.
A project born from the collaboration between institutions
The documentary is the result of a collaboration between various departments of the cantonal administration. Specifically, the project was developed in collaboration with Multimedia Sector of the Center for Educational and Digital Resources (CERDD) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS), who took care of the audiovisual production.
The initiative is also part of those of theInternational Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, sponsored by United Nations for 2026, which aims to enhance the contribution of volunteering in building more inclusive and resilient societies.
In the Ticino context, attention to this topic is also linked to recent experiences that have involved the region. The 2025 edition of the Cantonal Day for Life highlighted, among other things, the role played by volunteers who participated in Vallemaggia after the violent downpour of 2024, an episode that had mobilized numerous solidarity groups.
An invitation to participate
The documentary Alongside People: Stories of Social Volunteering in Ticino will be presented as a public preview on Monday March 23, 2026, 20.30, Cinema Forum of Bellinzona (Room 1), in Viale Stazione 33.
The event is open to the public and admission is free, but seating is limited. For this reason, the organizers recommend booking in advance.
Registrations can be made by sending an email, indicating the number of people participating, to the address giornatacantonalesullavita@ti.ch. Alternatively, you can fill out the form available online on the dedicated page.
Strengthening the sense of community
Through the stories collected in the film, the Cantonal Day on Life aims to offer a space for listening and reflection on a phenomenon that affects many realities in the Ticino region. Social volunteering represents a concrete form of civic participation, capable of strengthening the community fabric and promoting relationships of solidarity.
