The changing nature of international volunteering
09:34, 3 April 2009
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International volunteering has gone through big, big changes over the last 20 years, to be less focused on providing a feel-good experience for the volunteer and much more on making a real, sustainable difference in communities in the developing world. VSO heard the call for change from the developing world long ago. And the Peace Corps has now heard the call as well.In addition, Peace Corp is looking for ways for its volunteers to create long-lasting influence in the areas where they serve, not only through the Peace Corp member's official project, which could be anything from helping to build a fishery to teaching English, but also through encouraging local people to volunteer locally themselves and create their own ongoing volunteering projects.
Peace Corp has created a Volunteerism Action Guide: Multiplying the Power of Service (PDF) a resource for Corp members and their community partners "to plan, design, implement and assess local service or volunteerism activities. The aim of the V2 Action Guide is to support existing or new host country volunteerism efforts. Part 1 of the guide is an overview and introduction to the elements of service learning along with important cultural considerations. Part 2 is a step by step guide for creating service learning projects with suggested resources and provides a real life example of the process. Part 3 is a template that can be adapted, translated, and used by local groups or organizations to design their own service activities."
Good stuff! And you don't have to be a currently-serving Peace Corp member to find it useful. If you are working in the developing world in any capacity, you may find this guide helpful in building community cohesion and trust.
Here's more information about volunteering abroad, for those of you wanting to volunteer or work abroad.
