Getting involved back home

Working towards a more just and equitable world doesn’t have to end when you step off the plane, in fact many returned development workers and volunteers believe that is it at home that they can begin to really make a difference in challenging the poverty and injustice they witnessed overseas.  

There are many ways in which you can continue working for a better world from Ireland depending on your skills and interests, and how much time you have available to you. You will find lots more information and links below.

• What Next? A practical guide to continuing development work in Ireland
  This booklet details a range of practical ways in which to contribute to global justice and sustainable development in your everyday life, ranging from simple lifestyle changes such as shopping and investing ethically, to more substantial commitments such as e-volunteering, ethical entrepreneurship, campaigning and activism, careers and studies in the development sector. Contact us 01 4783490 or email volops@comhlamh.org for a copy. 
  
  
• Options and Issues in Development Volunteer Group
  The Options and Issues Group develop and facilitate Comhlámh’s Options and Issues workshops, which are aimed at anyone considering volunteering overseas. Getting involved with this group is a great way to pass on your experiences to assist others thinking of going overseas and to promote responsible and responsive volunteering. Click here for more info.
  
  
• Focus Magazine
  Focus Magazine is Ireland’s leading magazine on global development issues. You can get involved by contributing articles, ideas for topics, angles or ideas of people we could interview for articles, become involved in the editorial group and organise the production, writing and editing of articles, or assist to distribute the magazine in your local area, workplace or college. View the latest issues and find out how to get involved here. 
  
  
• Campaigning
  Comhlámh is committed to the principle of education leading to action. Most of our campaign work focuses on the issue of Trade Justice. Get involved by joining the Trade Justice group, support our campaign activities or attend our Trade Justice course. Find out more here. 
  
  
• Development Education
  Development Education is about exploring development issues through participatory learning approaches with the aim of changing attitudes and promoting positive changes in society locally and globally. Click here to find out more about the courses and workshops on offer, further information on our activities and useful resources.
  
  
• Other Campaign and Solidarity Groups in Ireland
  The Index Contacts List, updated annually, contains contact details for all organisations working on development and global justice issues in Ireland. Click here for the most up-to-date version.  
  
  
• Thinking of Volunteering Overseas again?
  Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options programme is designed to provide information and advice to people thinking about volunteering overseas in developing countries. Check out www.volunteeringoptions.org for a wealth of useful information for people before, during and after their volunteer placement, as well as a searchable database of over 115 organisations that arrange international volunteer placements. Other sections include links to relevant resources, including the Volunteer Charter and Code of Good Practice for Sending Agencies, and information on upcoming courses and events relating to overseas volunteering. See also ‘Before You Go’.  
  
• Careers and Further Studies in Development Related Areas
  If you are thinking of changing your careers into the non-profit sector or you are searching for your first job in the area, you may be interested in a copy of our ‘Careers and Courses in the Development Sector’ leaflet – contact suzie@comhlamh.org for a copy. You will also find further information in the Coming Home Book and on this page of our website.  
  
  
• e-LINK Newsletter
  Comhlámh’s free e-newsletter is called e-LINK and is compiled and issued approximately every month. It contains information on news, upcoming events and courses from Comhlámh and the wider sector. Sign up to the distribution list here.  
  
  
• Upcoming Events
  We hold a wide variety of events throughout the year, including the Bewley’s debates, social events such as drumming workshops and the Christmas party, the AGM and development forum, information evenings and workshops, International Volunteer Day events and much more. Click on this link to find out what is happening over the coming months.