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Looking for international volunteering opportunities
The following sites provides some key services to link you with the volunteering opportunity that you are looking for. Below in this page are some links to articles that ask you to question whether that volunteer opportunity really addresses the values that you are seeking to model.
Volunteer opportunities
- Idealist, a project of Action Without Borders This is a key site for people wanting to make a difference in the world. The Idealist vision is very cool: "we want to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives; where any person who wants to help another can do so; and where no opportunities for action and collaboration are missed or wasted - and we want to do this with you." Provides opportunites internationally.
- Volunteer Abroad with Global Vision International Looking for a unique international travel experience? Make a difference in some of the world's most critical conservation and community volunteering projects with GVI. Adventurous individuals can join over 60 projects including challenging Marine Conservation and Wildlife Research expeditions in Africa and Latin America and volunteer teaching and wildlife projects in over 30 countries worldwide.
- VolunteerMatch With an aim of bringing people together, VolunteerMatch is a leader in the US nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Operates mainly within the US.
- Working Abroad Working Abroad is the international networking service for volunteers, workers and travellers, which offers you the ability to take action for nature and society. Offers an introduction to a wide range of projects in most areas of the globe.
- The Global Volunteer Network The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. We currently provide volunteer programs through our partner organizations in Alaska, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.
- experiencedevelopment.org experiencedevelopment is an independently run not-for-profit company which works to improve transparency and communication within the development sector. Provides links to a range of volunteering opportunities internationally, including funded and self-funded.
- United Planet United Planet is a leading international non-profit organization devoted to fostering cross-cultural understanding and supporting communities in need. As featured on CNN, United Planet offers one-week to fifty-two-week volunteer programs in 50 countries, called United Planet Quests. United Planet is also a new proud partner with the International Cultural Exchange Federation (ICYE), one of the oldest long-term volunteer federations with a 50 year history, offering 6-month and one-year volunteer opportunities worldwide as an alternative to the Peace Corps. United Planet Quests are open to people of all ages and nationalities, including skilled and unskilled volunteers.
- Time Bank TimeBank is a UK-based national charity inspiring and connecting people to share and give time. TimeBank appeals to people like you who know that their time and skills are in demand - but just don't know what to do about it or where to start. Provides links to opportunities in the UK and internationally.
- UNV - United Nations Volunteer Programme The United Nations Volunteers is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It is administered by the United Nations Development Programme.
- EnvironmentJobs.co.uk This section of their site provides links for global opportunites for internships and volunteer work in conservation and the environment. You can also look at going on expeditions.
Is that volunteering opportunity right for you
- Gap Years Create 'New Colonialists' GAP year volunteers are in danger of becoming the new colonialists, indulging in a type of "charity tourism" that can do more harm than good, according to a leading charity. It is seen as a chance to broaden horizons, learn about other cultures and make a positive contribution to the world. But organising volunteering programmes is now big business and too often the schemes are designed with the enjoyment of the volunteers in mind. And some argue that too little concern is shown for the communities they are supposed to be helping. (The Times, August 15, 2006)