Explore Your Motivation for International Volunteering
People seek out international volunteering opportunities for various reasons and come to it from diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Some wish to offer professional expertise, while others have a desire to learn and expand their world view. Some are seeking out new experiences and the chance to share their energy and enthusiasm. For many, there’s a common thread of social justice and compassion driving their desire to make a positive impact.
All these motivations, and others, come from a valid place. Undoubtedly, international volunteering can be a force for good. Over the years we have seen how it can foster connections, contribute to expansion of world views and strengthen bonds of solidarity that cross borders, land, and sea.
Experience tells us, however, that good intentions are not enough. If you are thinking about international volunteering, it is crucial to take time to look at motivations and assumptions also, even if this means deciding not to travel and getting involved in action for global justice from here in Ireland through activism, solidarity and advocacy.
Most people who travel from Ireland to volunteer overseas have a relatively high degree of social mobility – they are white, European, hold an Irish passport, and belong to higher socio-economic groups. Indeed, the path to the Global South is well- worn with the shoes of this demographic. We spotlight social mobility here not to create guilt but to acknowledge the inequalities that are with us. This is a good place to we start if we really want to prepare ourselves for volunteering.
Here below are a few more questions to ask yourself if you are thinking about international volunteering from Ireland and links to resources that can help you dig deeper.
Questions to ask yourself
- Where is your desire to volunteer in this way coming from?
- What are your motivations?
- How do you see the world right now? What informs that perspective?
- What does it mean that this opportunity might be a possibility for you, but not for others?
- Could we imagine volunteers traveling North to help us out here?
International Volunteering and Orphanage Care
Join our campaign to end orphanage care and volunteering
Orphanage care is harmful to children and orphanage volunteering increases this harm. Comhlámh is firmly opposed to orphanage volunteering and is actively campaigning for global care reform. Growing evidence shows that institutional care is linked to child trafficking, with volunteer visits helping to sustain an orphanage industry which increase the risk of exposure to abuse and exploitation.
- We are calling on you to help end the practice of orphanage volunteering and change how children are cared for.
- We ask you not volunteer or visit an orphanages and institutions for children.
- Sign our pledge, learn more and spread the word about our End Orphanage Care campaign below.
Join our Courses
E-TICK Online Course on Ethical Communication
A unique self-study course for developing critical thinking, intercultural understanding and media literacy.
Values-Led International Volunteering
Find a Volunteer Opportunity
Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Visit the I-VOL national volunteering database which shows live opportunities offered by the Code of Good Practice signatories.
Find a Volunteer Sending Agency
Check out our directory of Volunteer Sending Agencies who have signed up to the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice and are committed to values-led international volunteering.
Code of Good Practice for Volunteer Sending Agencies
Learn more about good practice among volunteer sending agencies in our section on the Code and see how we work with them to promote values-led volunteering practice.
SUPPORTS AND SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
Social Welfare Services and Pensions for Volunteer Development Workers
Comhlámh is responsible for administering the Volunteer Development Worker Scheme on behalf of the Department of Social Protection which has special arrangements in place to protect the social welfare rights of Volunteer Development Workers (VDWs). We also administer the Public Service Pension Scheme for Volunteer Development Workers on behalf of Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
Debriefing and Counselling
Many returning development workers, volunteers and humanitarian responders find that engaging with debriefing and/or counselling can be helpful in processing experiences following an assignment. Comhlámh recommends that everyone should, at a minimum, have access to both a personal and an operational debriefing. We can provide you with information and confidential advice to help you access counselling services, through an established counselling provider that offers online and in-person sessions.
All enquiries about debriefing and counselling will be treated with confidentiality. To find out more, please email info@comhlamh.org or telephone 01 478 3490. Anyone who is interested in learning more about trauma, resilience and the impacts of sustained stress may find our Psychosocial Resources for Refugee and Migrant Solidarity Responders of interest.
Any Questions? Get in Touch!
Would you like to get involved? Do you have any questions about the Code, how to start your journey or support we may offer to your organisation? Get in touch with Fiachra@comhlamh.org.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Join our Groups
Join us as a Member and get involved in one of our groups active on global and social justice issues.