Innovations in Civic Participation

Youth Volunteers are taking action this summer

2011-07-05T12:19:00.002-04:00

As the summer officially starts we are also approaching the closing months of what the United Nations (UN) officially declared as the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Young leaders from around the globe have taken the past year as an opportunity to express their desire to be heard and their willingness to be active members of their communities. These efforts will not cease because classes are over or its summer time. On the contrary, children and young adults are volunteering abroad, aiding those affected by natural disaster, or participating in local community service programs throughout the summer.

In Costa Rica eight international students are rebuilding local schools as part of a civic engagement program called Global Volunteers. This is a private non-profit organization engaging volunteers in micro-economic and human development projects worldwide. As part of this program, eight students are using social media to record their efforts through blog posts and photo galleries.

In the Philippines a record number of 1,600 youth volunteers answered Habitat for Humanity Philippines‘ call to participate in their ‘1K for 1 Day’ program. A diverse group of students coming from international schools, universities, and local entities built the foundation of 80 houses in one day. Ricky Jacinto, HFH Philippines’ CEO, said: “It’s never too early or too late for nation-building. It’s time we (adults) learn from them”, when referring to the youth volunteers.

On a larger scale, students from all over the world are using their knowledge and expertise to improve their communities. In Mexico, for example, more than 400 education majors are being trained to become ‘Community Tutors’. With the support of local government agencies, these future educators will be tutoring more than 1,000 children in preschool, primary and secondary schools who are in risk of failing the school year.

The United States has also made a pledge to serve the country and communities this summer as part of the ‘United We Serve’ project. President Obama asked volunteers to develop their own projects and lay a foundation for growth. Recognizing that at least 55% of youth volunteer in the USA, this summer they are cleaning the streets, building green areas and park trails, or raising funds for those in need.

ICP also supports Summer of Service (SOS) projects engaging students in service-learning projects during the summer months. Check out the findings on participant outcomes for the 2010 Summer of Service pilots here. Additional resources for Summer of Service initiatives are available on the SOS Resource Center. A study conduct by the Corporation for National & Community Service concluded that youth who volunteer are more likely to do better in their academic development and influence other family members to engage in similar activities. These young inspiring individuals are having a positive, sustainable impact in their communities, and gaining valuable skills to incorporate in their transition to adulthood.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities this summer here are some options:

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/summer.asp#UWS

http://redcrossyouth.org/

http://www.foodforthepoor.org/mission/

What you are doing this summer? Tell us in the comments below!

College graduates taking a gap year to volunteer instead of going into the work force

2011-06-03T12:34:00.004-04:00

As the Class of 2011 enters into “the real world” many are not going straight into the work force, but instead are joining different organizations and taking a “gap year” to volunteer all over the world. Some take this gap year to take the time to figure out what they would like to do post-university. Others take this time to fulfill a calling to volunteer.

In these programs graduates have the opportunity to volunteer in a particular area that suits their interests. Many organizations have programs such as: teaching, environment and conservation, animal care, human rights and health care.

The National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC), a branch of AmeriCorps, is a popular program for people looking to take a gap year. One project that the NCCC was a part of was planning a Christmas party for 500 victims of Hurricane Katrina. The volunteers, whom were taking a gap year, took donations of Christmas presents from all over the country and set up a teen club aboard a cruise ship where the victims were staying. The volunteers organized the holiday party with gifts, decorations, music and holiday cheer.

Another reason college graduate turn to a gap year is because of the unavailability of jobs. This gap year is not considered a year without work. Graduates are able to put this experience on their resume and gives them an advantage when applying to jobs the next year.

The South Asia Peac e Alliance has many programs abroad for volunteers all over the world. They support volunteers engaged in community development efforts. Their programs include one to volunteer in Africa. These programs allow graduates to indulge into the culture of their particular country and give back to the community that is hosting them. For example, many volunteers build roads in African countries enabling easier access to water and other necessities.

The Peace Corps, a well known program throughout the world, is one that many college graduates join. College graduates can commit to two years with the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps has programs in 77 different countries, placing participants in programs that match their skills.

A gap year takes a lot of consideration. The experience is one like you will never have! More information about gap year opportunities are available online through organizations such as Global Citizen Year and Serve.gov.

Have you taken a gap year? Tell us your story in the comments below! If you haven’t taken a gap year, let us know your thoughts and if you plan on taking one!

Many Americans are stepping up to help those affected by natural disasters at home

2011-05-31T11:07:00.004-04:00

A twister in Joplin, Mo., killing over 120 people and record breaking floods up and down the Mississippi River have volunteers from all over the United States helping with recovery efforts. Volunteers with many different organizations are traveling to different disaster sites helping out where they can.

In Mississippi a group of college-age volunteers who are part of the National Civi lian Community Corps, a program within AmeriCorps, have been working diligently o n preparing towns up and down the Mississippi River for the inevitable flooding.

Many of the volunteers from the NCCC were helping with Hurricane Katrina recovery when the reports of flooding along the Mississippi River came in. About 100 volunteers were transferred to Vicksburg, Miss., to begin preparing for the impending flood. They have been making sand bags for residents and businesses to protect them from the rising water. AmeriCorps also sent a specially trained emergency team to help with the disaster in Joplin, Mo. Their help along with other volunteers and organizations have led to the rescue of nine people.

Other organizations are also transferring volunteers to different parts of the country to help with the recent tornados that have hit Joplin, Mo. The Red Cross continues to help victims in the storm ravaged south and the flooding of the Mississippi River, but has transferred volunteers to Joplin, Mo. to help with the destruction that was caused by the deadliest tornado in the US in 64 years.

According to Memphis, Tenn. WREG News Channel 3, volunteers have been transferred many times during these spring months. Kathy Maloney, a retired nurse volunteering for the Red Cross, has been transferred from Tuscaloosa, Al., to Memphis, Tenn., and is now being sent to Joplin, Mo. to help where she is needed. Maloney and other volunteers of the Red Cross establish shelters for those who have been displaced because of these disasters. In Joplin, Mo. Red Cross volunteers set up a shelter at a local high school that was not harmed during the tornados. Theses shelters give those with nowhere to go a place to stay.

The United Animal Nations, a California based non-profit group, also contributed to the response effort in the recent disasters, by establishing shelters for displaced pets whose owners have disappeared. The UAN helps rescue workers by placing animals in shelters so they do not hamper the rescue and recovery efforts.

Residents in Pittsburg, Pa. loaded trucks with supplies to deliver to Joplin. College athletes and other volunteers from Pittsburg State University have been sorting and taking donations. These volunteers loaded 14 pallets of supplies for those affected by the tornados.

People from across the country have helped by donating their time, money, supplies and resources. These disasters have brought people together through volunteering. Visit the Red Cross Website to help with the relief efforts! Already involved? Tell us your story in the comment below!

Picture 1: Creative Commons- Chicago Public Media

Picture 2: Creative Commons-John T. Pilot

The Young Volunteers of Japan

2011-05-24T16:15:00.006-04:00

The Young Volunteers of Japan

Volunteering isn’t a large part of Japanese culture, and the young especially may be considered by some as lazy and “lost”. However, in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, young people have stepped up and taken the lead in rebuilding their country, changing views of their generation in the process.

Young people around Japan have traveled north to volunteer. In Tome, Miyagi, a northern Japanese city, a group of young college women from Tokyo helped by folding and distributing children’s clothing.

Young people in Japan started a non-profit group called Youth for 3.11. Their primary goal is to send college students and young adults to the Tohoku region of Japan to help with the relief efforts. They have had over 1,800 students register to volunteer.

Tohoku Rising is another new youth organization that has flourished due to the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. They have utilized social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to organize relief donations. In addition they have sent volunteers to the Tohoku region.

Not only are these young people helping by raising funds and distributing clothing, food and water, they are interacting with the residents of the affected areas. They are doing this in order to better suit the needs of those affected in the long run. Young people in Japan have made a point that they will be here beyond the immediate relief efforts.

These young people have gone against stereotypes and have proven that they will be a presence in years to come. Are you doing something to support Japan’s recovery efforts and other countries in crisis in the years to come? Let us know by commenting below!

Photo by: Creative Commons
Username: Kianno

A Billion Acts of Green

2011-04-20T12:13:00.007-04:00

April 22, 2011 is the 41^st anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s theme, “A Billion Acts of Green”, aims to get everyone involved in environmental advocacy and service.

Earth day was started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Horrified by the environmental devastation wreaked by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill (a spill which, for the record, was far smaller than the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill), Senator Nelson sought to capitalize on the mobilizing power of college students to seek environmental change.

Originally, Earth Day was to be a day of teaching and environmental advocacy, but it has grown into a day of service as well. Young people around the globe have dedicated their time and energy to helping better the earth, both on Earth Day and year-round. The Student Conservation Association (SCA), for example, has over 4,000 interns and volunteers who provide more than two million hours of conservation service per year and is sponsoring several Earth Day events.

But what can you do to get involved in Earth Day? A lot! Attend an Earth Day event in your area, or make a pledge to turn off your lights, take the bus or carpool to work, or call your representative about environmental issues. Even just going to your local park and cleaning up trash is helpful! A great thing you can do for Earth Day, however, is to celebrate it every day. The environment doesn’t just need our projection one day a year, it needs it every day. Making small changes in your life can do far more for the environment than attending a one-day event (though we certainly encourage that as well!).

Here at ICP, we strongly support Earth Day and the environmental movement. We are advocates of the 21^st Century Conservation Service Corps and other strategies for expanding opportunities for environment-focused youth service, and have created the Green Youth Service Resource Center to help compile publications, news and funding opportunities for environment-focused youth service. If you have any additional information for our resource center, email us at info@icicp.org or, as always, just let us know in the comments!

It's Global Youth Service Day!

2011-04-15T11:53:00.005-04:00

Starting today through April 17, millions of people around the globe will be celebrating Global Youth Service Day, the world’s largest event dedicated to service. Many organizations have been planning their events for months (though there are still plenty of ways to get involved for all the last-minute types) and have put together really impressive programs. Check out this blog for more general GYSD information.

Young People We Care (YPWC), a youth-led nonprofit in Ghana, is serving as the GYSD West African Regional Partner for the second time. Founded in 2005, YPWC seeks to provide a “'youthful voice' that seeks to address the numerous challenges facing leaders of tomorrow by effectively using young resourceful minds to influence the course of global policy formulation and development in a consistent and harmonized manner”.

To celebrate Global Youth Service Day, YPWC has been holding events throughout the month of April. To launch the GYSD festivities, YPWC held a kickoff event at the University of Education, Winneba. This event, emceed by a popular radio host, featured speeches by a Presidential candidate, members of Ghana’s National Youth Council, and Nana Ama Agyeiwaa, winner of the 2010 Ghana's Most Beautiful cultural reality show and Millennium Development Goals Ambassador, as well as presentations by students from the local Jr. High School. Following the launch event, participants traveled to the rural community on the outskirts of Kumasi, Ghana to help with a local clean-up effort. Children and adults cleaned the town “until they couldn’t clean anymore!”

In addition to the launch event, YPWC has helped to facilitate the events of its partners throughout West Africa.

In Liberia, Child Liberia will mobilize youth in three geographical regions of Liberia including urban slum communities and rural towns and villages to promote HIV/AIDS prevention campaign using community information systems, culture dances, drama and radio jingles. The goal is to respond to the 8.5% HIV/AIDS rate reported in 2010 and help young people lead activities of youth football education to pass messages.

In Togo, People to People International plans to use GYSD to engage youth in clean-up exercises, promote inter-educational and cultural programs and activities in schools, engage youth to volunteer in the children's homes and to assist people living with HIV/AIDS and organize tree planting activities in at least 15 schools across the nation

In Sierra Leone, Saviour and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) will organize 3 major projects in 12 communities, with the "Youth Awareness Campaign" also implemented in 2 communities. This campaign will include visiting ghettos and sensitizing youth on the effects of drug abuse. The "Sweep Up and Pick Up Campaign" will mobilize youth to sweep and pick up unwanted materials within 6 communities. SAVE will also initiate a one-day tree planting campaign with the Forestry Division in the Ministry of Agriculture.

These projects are just a sample of the many projects occurring right now in West Africa and countries around the world. Clearly, West African Youth are involved and excited to serve. What are you doing for GYSD? Let us know in the comments!

Celebrating National Volunteer Week

2011-04-06T16:11:00.003-04:00

From April 10-16, 2011, nonprofits and other organizations across the nation will be celebrating National Volunteer Week (NVW), a time dedicated to “inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.”

Everyone likes to be recognized for their good work, and volunteers are no different. In a time when Congress is considering completely cutting the Corporation for National and Community Service, it is more important than ever to recognize the great work volunteers do in the community, and to show how much we would lose by cutting volunteer services. (For ways to tell Congress why they shouldn’t cut service, please visit www.saveservice.org.)

Instead of just thanking the volunteers themselves, tell the entire community how important volunteers are. This blog has four tips for sharing the importance of volunteers with the greater community, including writing letters to the editor and contacting your state and national representation.

There are many ways to commemorate National Volunteer week, which will be filled with ceremonies honoring dedicated volunteers and events designed to get communities involved in volunteering. HandsOn Network has produced a great resource guide to help nonprofits plan and promote their events, and is also recognizing volunteers of their own. You can learn more about nominations for HandsOn volunteer recognition here.

National Volunteer Week generally focuses on recognizing people who already volunteer, but is also a great opportunity to get more people involved in volunteer efforts. Many people don’t volunteer because they don’t know how to get involved, and National Volunteer Week is a great time to get the word out about volunteering opportunities.

Many groups are holding large, one-time events during National Volunteer Week that will engage the whole community and put their efforts and volunteers in the spotlight. In ICP’s neighborhood, on April 15-16, Greater DC Cares is holding its annual Servathon. Over 8,000 volunteers will participate in nearly 100 service projects across the Greater DC area, doing everything from painting schools to painting nails.

Want to participate in a National Volunteer Week event? VolunteerMatch.org has 5,000 different NVW activities listed, including both short-term and long-term volunteering opportunities. With so many options, everyone can get involved!

Is your organization doing something for National Volunteer Week? Are you participating in an event? Let us know in the comments!

Young Environmentalists Take the Lead

2011-03-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

From 8:30-9:30pm on March 26, individuals, businesses and cities around the globe turned off the lights to celebrate Earth Hour, a day designed to raise awareness of climate change and global environmental issues. This year, the theme was “60+: Go Beyond The Hour”, which encouraged participants to make small pledges to help the environment year-round, such as bringing reusable bags to the grocery store or riding their bikes to work.

Thousands of people made pledges, and small changes certainly add up. However, many young environmentalists are going above and beyond, working tirelessly to help preserve the world around them.

Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement (Young Volunteers for the Environment) is a youth-led nonprofit that works to involve other young people in sustainable development. Headquartered in Togo, JVE has more than 30 branches throughout the nation and 17 international representations in a diverse group of countries ranging from Kenya to Switzerland.

JVE has implemented a number of projects, including increased environmental education in schools, weekly radio and TV programs on sustainable development, and organizing the first youth forum on social justice, which featured the Bhopal tragedy. They have also participated in conferences around the globe, and worked in tandem with other ecological networks such as the Earth Day Network, African Biodiversity Network and the Global Youth Action Network.

In another example, in Maine, 18-year-old Chloe Maxim founded the Climate Action Club at her high school. This club managed to establish a “no idling” policy on campus, purchased solar panels for the school and helped to launch a reusable bag campaign, even convincing the state’s largest supermarket to participate. This was impressive enough, but Chloe also began and maintained an online network of young environmentalists called First Here, Then Everywhere. Consisting of a website and a community space, First Here, Then Everywhere allows young people around the globe to share ideas and projects, learn from each other and find like-minded friends.

The Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) is a non-profit focused on empowering young people and their communities to develop programs and actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. CYEN is comprised of individuals and youth groups who want to work together to address environmental issues. They work throughout the Caribbean on a variety of projects, including cleaning up marine debris and litter and encouraging sustainable land management.

It’s Getting Hot in Here is an online global community originally created to allow youth to report from the International Climate Negotiations in Montreal in 2005. Since then, it has expanded into a forum where over 300 young writers express their ideas and share information to stop global warming.

These groups, and many others, are working hard to protect our natural resources. To find a youth environmental organization near you, check out ICP’s Green Youth Resource Center, which lists a large number of youth environmental organizations, as well as relevant legislation and news articles. Would you like your organization added to the resource center? Email us at info@icicp.org or let us know in the comments!

Picture courtesy of newwavegurly

Celebrating World Water Day

2011-03-22T13:24:00.005-04:00

Today, March 22, 2011, is World Water Day (WWD), a day designated to celebrate a resource that everyone needs to survive. Recommended at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and put into action the following year, World Water Day works to highlight an aspect of fresh water that is particularly important. This year, the theme is Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge.

World Water Day is holding conferences in Cape Town, South Africa, to address the issues of clean water in cities, and to discuss how changes in water recycling, city planning and water conservation can help guarantee clean water for everyone.

Every month, the urban population grows by 5 million residents, mostly in developing nations. The growth in urban areas has far outpaced the growth in the water supply system, and right now over 25% of people in cities don’t have water piped into their homes. This problem is only expected to get worse in the coming years.

Young people around the world are working diligently to help solve water issues. For example, the International Youth Water Movement is working to create new business models that allow for sustainable water use and increased water access. They are doing this by creating “Centers for Youth Enterprise Development”, which would allow young entrepreneurs to advance new ideas and form new networks. Through this movement, young people have reached agreements with local governments to guarantee sanitation and water access in 100,000 homes, influenced water access legislation in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua, and completed a number of other goals.

They can’t do it alone. In the spirit of World Water Day, here are some things you can do to help save and protect the world’s supply of freshwater.

Take part in a World Water Day event! Though WWD is in March, events occur throughout the year. From irrigation testing in India to an event promoting tap water in New York, find an event that appeals to you here.

At home, little changes can add up. Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, and each minute you shave off your shower can save 2.5 gallons of water. Installing newer, more efficient appliances, such as shower heads, toilets and faucets, can drastically reduce the amount of water used every day.

Locally, you can lobby your city manager or sanitation leader for better water practices. The WWD Advocacy Guide and Action Handbook has great ideas about how to organize a campaign for cleaner water in your community.

Globally, donate to one of many organizations that work to provide people throughout the world with access to clean, safe water.

Clean water is a global issue that everyone needs to consider. What are you doing to celebrate World Water Day? Let us know in the comments.

(Image Courtesy of World Water Day 2011)

Global Youth Service Day is Coming Soon!

2011-03-16T16:10:00.008-04:00

Last year, millions of young people participated in nearly 4,000 registered projects as part of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). This year, GYSD is on April 15-17^th, less than a month away! However, there is still plenty of time to get involved.

Began in 1988, Global Youth Service Day “celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning.” Young people around the world work with nonprofits, schools, volunteer and national service programs and other organizations to tackle problems in their communities via GYSD projects.

These projects are registered all over the world, and can be found on this map. Projects span a wide variety of different activities. A few examples of projects are

In Statesville, North Carolina, students are working together to plan a community garden that will serve as a learning lab for afterschool and summer programs, as well as provide fresh produce.

In Egypt, youth have organized a celebration designed to raise awareness of the benefits of donating blood regularly. The event will have stations where people can give blood as well as a number of young people advertising in the streets to encourage blood donation.

In New York, the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is holding a Teen Art, Music, and Poetry Festival. This festival allows teens to enjoy art, and also serves as a fundraiser for Ethical Friends of Children, which helps families provide for their young children.

Youth in Janakpur, Nepal, are working to make Janakpur a “safe, social city” by holding a variety of events, including marches, street clean-ups, and workshops for activists and lawmakers.

If there is nothing in your area that interests you, don’t worry! It’s not too late to design and register your own project. The Global Youth Service Day website has all the tools you need to plan, register and promote your event.

Are you planning or participating in a Global Youth Service Day event? Tell us about it in the comments!

The Challenges of "Voluntourism"

2011-03-14T14:57:00.001-04:00

Last week, the Boston Globe published an article talking about the rise of “voluntourism” among the baby-boomer generation. Voluntourism is travel that mixes a volunteer project with more traditional tourist pursuits such as sightseeing or nights on the town, usually on a short-term (less than a month) basis. The popularity of voluntourism is rising in all age groups, begging the question – what impact are these programs having on communities?

Much has been written about the damage voluntourism can do in communities. In September 2010, a study entitled “AIDS orphan tourism” was published in Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies Quarterly. This article detailed the harm that voluntourism does to young orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, who form attachments to the volunteers only to be continually abandoned. According to the article, for young children who have already lost their parents, this continual loss of volunteers does deep damage to their ability to form meaningful connections later in life.

An editorial in Canadian newspaper the Star details how voluntourism in developing countries can actually take jobs away from those who need them most—the unemployed in that country. In Haiti, the unemployment rate exceeds 50 percent and people are fighting for dangerous, low paying jobs. Yet every day unskilled volunteers, many of whom paid handsomely to take the trip, descend on Port-au-Prince, ready to help. In truth, the money could go much further if donated to a respected aid organization or put into microloans for Haitians trying to rebuild their lives.

Voluntary Service Overseas’ (VSO) UK director, Judith Brodie put it plainly in saying would-be volunteers “would be better off travelling and experiencing different cultures, rather than wasting time on projects that have no impact and can leave a big hole in their wallet."

Despite the possible negative effects of voluntourism, with research and careful planning, an international volunteering experience can be one that is enjoyable and beneficial for all involved. For example, every spring, thousands of college students participate in Alternative Spring Break, a program in which they forego partying and use their break to serve others. Though a vacation, such a program is based primarily in service, not tourism with a day or two of service squeezed in.

In general, embarking on a long-term volunteer experience will allow you to do more good than a short term vacation, but that is not always possible. The best advice when planning for an international volunteer experience, be it a gap year or a two week vacation, is to choose your organization carefully. Goodintents.org provides guidance on what to look for when choosing an organization to volunteer with.

If you choose to take a volunteering vacation, be sure the organization matches your skills and interests, and ask yourself why you want to volunteer on your vacation. Do you really want to help those less fortunate than yourself? Or do you just want a “different” vacation? Going into the experience for the right reasons can make a huge difference in the connections you make and the quality of the experience you have.

What do you think? Have you gone on a volunteering vacation? Have an opinion on the rise of voluntourism? Let us know in the comments!

More Thoughts on Voluntourism

Voluntourism: Making a Difference through Tourism

Tribewatned: Sierra Leone

‘Voluntourism' Proves a Hit with the over 40's as Bookings Rise 51% In 2010

When Americans Volunteer Abroad, Who Really Benefits?

Voluntourism: Hip or Hype?

Before you pay to volunteer abroad, think of the harm you might do

Voluntourism: Good or bad?

Disaster Tourism and Haiti

Happy 50th Anniversary, Peace Corps!

2011-03-02T14:13:00.007-05:00

On March 1^st, 1961 President Kennedy signed the Executive Order that created the Peace Corps. Fifty years later, it just may be his greatest legacy. What started as an impromptu remark at a late-night rally in Michigan has now allowed over 200,000 people to serve in 139 countries, doing everything from teaching children in Nicaragua to drafting laws in Belize.

The Peace Corps was established to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, help promote a better understanding of Americans abroad, and help Americans understand other people. 50years later it is still fulfilling its mission. President Obama released a statement praising the Corps, and declaring March 1^st, 2011, as the official 50^th anniversary.

Many volunteers have used the 50^th anniversary to reflect on their Peace Corps experiences. These stories range from funny to poignant, and really bring the Peace Corps experience alive.

Examples of Volunteer Stories

Peace Corps life in Ukraine, Nepal, and West Indies

Peace Corps Volunteer Journals

Peace Corps memories: A shard of glass, a sharp lesson

Peace Corps turns 50, raises Ore. memories

Peace Corps series: Peace Corps is about tolerance, respect and understanding

Though the Peace Corps has received much publicity for its 50^th anniversary, it is shrinking. There are less than 9,000 Peace Corps members today, down from 15,000 at the peak. Some don’t know the Peace Corps still exists, or think of it as an outdated product of the sixties.

In reality, the Peace Corps, though smaller, has changed with the times and improved greatly over the past 50 years. Peace Corps members today are better trained, safer and make a greater impact than ever before. This timeline breaks down the evolution of the Peace Corps, from Kennedy’s speech in Michigan to the present day.

Interested in the Peace Corps? Peacecorps.gov has all the information you need, but be sure to plan in advance! Applying to the Peace Corps is a competitive process, and it is recommended that you apply 9-12 months before you’d like to be deployed. If you’d like to volunteer aboard, but aren’t sure if the Peace Corps is right for you (or you’re not an American citizen) keep in mind there are lots of other options as well, such as Raleigh International or VSO, among many other international volunteering organizations.

ICP is a member of the ServiceWorld Coalition where we have been encouraging expanding US foreign aid to invest in capacity building and technical assistance to other countries in developing National Youth Service policies and programs. In honor of Peace Corps' anniversary, the Coalition is asking supporters to sign the ServiceWorld International Volunteer Service Declaration (here), supporting the expansion of international volunteer efforts.

Have you worked with the Peace Corps? Tell us your story in the comments!

(Pictures courtesy of the Peace Corps Digital Library)

ICP Exec Director Travels to the UK for Conference, Meets with Youth Service Groups

2011-02-23T14:57:00.004-05:00

In February, ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud traveled to the UK to participate in a conference entitled “Democracy and the Power of the Individual”, organized by the Ditchley Foundation. The conference brought together academics and practitioners from around the globe to discuss the “relationship between democratic governments and their citizens in the age of the internet and social media.”

The conference tackled several question, but focused on the power and limits of social media. Participants questioned the use of sites such as Facebook and Twitter, asking if they are just better, faster, cheaper means of communication, or if they can change behavior, giving people more active roles in government and greater self-determination.

As the recent revolts throughout the Mideast clearly show, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be used to disseminate information, gather support, and help power a revolution. The internet and social media have already helped to give the general populace a more active role in government; the question is how such sites will affect the day-to-day business of governing.

While in the UK, Susan also met with several youth service organizations, including the Commonwealth Youth Programme, VSO, British Council Active Citizens Program, and Raleigh International. These organizations have different methods and areas of focus, but all have impressive programs engaging young people in their communities.

For instance, part of the Commonwealth Secretariat, The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) is an international development agency that works with young people in 54 different countries. CYP focuses on three strategic program areas: Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihoods, Governance, Development, and Youth Networks and Youth Education and Training. They do this by providing skills and resources for young people to create businesses, working with the government to increase the impact of young people, developing youth work as a profession and a number of other tactics. CYP just launched a new website, yourcommonwelath.org, designed to get more direct feedback from young people around the world.

The British Council Active Citizens Program promotes community involvement and improvement around the world. This includes programs such as establishing dialogue and helping to reconcile two warring villages in Kenya, engaging 4,000 young people in Pakistan and implementing skills-training programs at home in the UK. The British Council also organized the Youth in Action for Global Change symposium where Susan gave a keynote address in January, and it is planning a Youth Policy Symposium Series in May.

VSO is an international development organization that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO has volunteers in placements around the world, serving in capacities as varied as an urban planning advisor in Zambia, a physiotherapy lecturer in Ethiopia and an art and design specialist in Bangladesh. In the UK, VSO has a special program for youth, called Global Xchange, which partners two young people from different countries in an immersive volunteer experience.

Raleigh International focuses on providing international volunteer projects for people taking a gap year or career break, and works with people of all ages and levels of experience. It works in Costa Rica, Borneo, Nicaragua and India and has projects concerned with the environment as well as community development. Raleigh International is also featured on ICP’s Green Youth Service Online Resource Center.

Are you familiar with other innovative youth civic participation programs in the UK? We’d love to hear about them in the comment below!

US Service Threatened by Proposed Budget Cuts

2011-02-16T10:41:00.003-05:00

Last week I wrote about how budget cuts in the UK are affecting youth service programs. This week, I discuss the effects proposed cuts could have here in the US.

In the United States, national service has generally been a bipartisan issue. When the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which greatly expanded national service, passed in March 2009, it had broad bipartisan support, garnering seventy-one Republican votes in the House and twenty-one in the Senate.

In the aftermath of the 2010 elections, however, things seem to be changing. With Republican leadership under strong pressure to cut the budget by $100 billion, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) is proposing to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service. Many programs fall under CNCS, including popular programs such as AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America (who oversees Summer of Service for which ICP is a grantee).

The elimination of these programs would be detrimental to all Americans. AmeriCorps members alone serve over 60 million hours a year, making critical differences in communities from education and disaster relief (see ICP’s 2010 report Transforming Communities through Service: A Collection of 52 of the Most Innovative AmeriCorps Programs). It would be far more expensive to hire people to do this work than it is to give a small stipend to AmeriCorps members. Learn and Serve has 1.2 million participants, many of which are students from high-risk, low-income schools. These are not services America can afford to lose.

President Obama realizes the importance of service in the US and was an ardent supporter of the Serve America Act. In his FY 2012 Budget, Obama requests $1.26 billion for CNCS, which is $109 million more than the current level. President Obama’s budget, however, is merely a first step. Republicans in the House seem poised to oppose an increase in CNCS funding, and any budget proposal will have to go through floor consideration, conference committees, and final passage (and perhaps contend with a Presidential veto).

Here at ICP, we hope that the President’s request is approved, and that the Corporation for National and Community Service is allowed to remain strong for years to come. And we’re not the only ones. National service has been a hot topic as of late, with many writing to discuss the importance of service in America. Here is a selection of recent news articles discussing the importance of national service:

General McChrystal: Why America Needs National Service

Bipartisan Case for National Service

Idea of the Day: We Can’t Eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service

Defund National Service, Cripple the Nation

Why Conservatives Should Love AmeriCorps, Not Kill It

Worried about how these potential cuts could affect your organization or community? Take Action! Voices for National Service is a great resource for information and activities regarding CNCS funding. Their website includes information on the proposal, instructions for calling your Member of Congress and talking points to make that phone call easier. Calling your Congressperson only takes a few minutes and could help save CNCS funding.

Have you contacted your member of Congress? Signed a petition? Worked in other ways to help save CNCS? Tell us about it in the comments.

UK budget cuts undermine “big society” and weaken volunteer programs

2011-02-11T12:41:00.003-05:00

Last July, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a program called the “big society.” In this program, many responsibilities held by the national government would devolve to localities (thus allowing Britain to be a “big society” instead of a “big government”).

The idea behind this program is to give people more control over their lives, while simultaneously shrinking the size of the central government. Under this plan, care of many community properties such as libraries, housing developments, and even hospitals would devolve from the government to community groups. Big society is a moderately popular plan. On paper it sounds plausible, invoking memories of George H.W. Bush’s a thousand points of light. Government would step out, but nonprofits, local governments, and charities would step in. Most people want to be civically engaged, and local control does allow for more flexibility in programming.

However, nine months later, the concept of a Big Society is colliding with the reality of harsh austerity measures, leading to what many volunteer and other youth service groups believe is a recipe for disaster. Like many other nations, the UK is deeply in debt.When the Conservative PM Cameron took office, he promised to reduce the debt and tame the “out of control” spending created by years of Labour-run government.

In order to do that, strong austerity measures were put into place, severely cutting the budget of many local councils. Theoretically these cuts are supposed to reduce wasteful spending and bureaucracy. In reality, councils are both cutting overhead and choosing to defund important programs including senior citizen services, the police force, public building hours and, perhaps more than anything else, youth services.

The austerity cuts alone have major implications for youth service. Volunteering England, which offers volunteer training, may have to close 30 centers, and 3000 local youth workers may lose their jobs. Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said that the voluntary sector was going to lose £4.5bn because of the government's austerity measures.

This only gets worse when combined with the new responsibilities of the big society program. Because the government is stepping out, other associations have to step in. These groups are now expected to do far more with far less funding.

The Liverpool city council, designated as one of four big society pilot projects, recently quit, claiming that the budget cuts didn’t allow the big society to function. Dame Elizabeth Hoodless, outgoing Executive Director from Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the largest volunteer organization in Britain, claimed that the cuts were undermining the big society program and “destroying the volunteer army”.

While the austerity cuts in Britain are noteworthy, funding cuts for community service agencies are being discussed elsewhere as well. In the US, Republicans are recommending budget cuts that would eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service entirely, and many local communities have already cut programs.

Here at ICP, we’re both concerned about potential cuts and excited for many programs in the UK, including the launch of their National Citizen Service program this summer. For a detailed look at service in the UK, take a look at ICP’s Youth Civic Participation Worldwide snapshot. We hope that as governments both in the US and abroad look for ways to cut their budgets, they don’t forget the power and wisdom of investing in young people.

Has your local volunteer program been affected by cuts in government spending? Tell us your stories in the comments below.

3 Months After the IANYS Global Conference on National Youth Service in Egypt, Young People Demonstrate Civic Engagement in Action

2011-02-09T09:44:00.015-05:00

February 9, 2011

When ICP hosted the 9th Global Conference of the International Association of National Youth Service (IANYS) at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt last October, no one could have anticipated the extent of the popular upheaval that has swept through Egypt since January 25. Yet, discussions of Egypt’s youth at the time were in many ways prescient.

According to the Egypt’s 2010 Human Development Report on Egyptian youth, which was presented at the conference by lead author Dr. Heba Handoussa, close to a quarter of Egypt’s total population is between the ages of 18 and 29, and over 50 percent are under 30. If encouraged by inclusive, well-managed programs and policies, these youth represent a “formidable force” that can contribute positively to Egypt’s future growth and development (EHDR, p. xi)

Yet, unemployment is extremely high among young people, even college graduates. An estimated 90 percent of unemployed people are under 30 and many more are affected by perpetual underemployment (EHDR). Governments throughout the MENA region face tremendous challenges in channeling the potential of their youth population as they make the transition to adulthood.

Creating an enabling environment for youth civic engagement by supporting a “robust and vibrant civil society” is a key strategy for confronting these challenges (IANYS 9th Global Conference Report, forthcoming). During the Global Conference, participants emphasized the need for government policies that allow freedom of association and expression, which are fundamental to civic participation, as well as communications outlets that can raise awareness among youth about opportunities available to them.

Unfortunately, while the energy and vitality of Egyptian youth and civil society have been on the rise for years, the Mubarak government has attempted to restrict such participation, and recent events have propelled this underlying pressure to the surface.

In taking to the streets, y oung Egyptians are demanding changes in their government and demonstrating their desire to participate fully in society. Their leveraging of social media (some sources have even called it a Facebook-fueled movement) has broadened participation in the protests and drawn international attention to their cause.

Youth who were the focus of discussion and participants at the Global Conference have played a leading role in these historic protests. They have also become the fierce protectors of valuable public buildings, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that hosted the conference, organizing groups and calling on the army to join them in guarding against vandals and looters.

Their actions seem to highlight the transformative power of civic engagement—one that can counter repression and pressure governments to enact reforms that address grievances and allow for the plurality of ideas and public debate vital for peace and democracy.

“This is about the people of Egypt who are fed up,” Barbara Ibrahim, the founding director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo, told the Washington Examiner on January 31. She is hopeful that the “people are winning” and that the transition of power will be lawful and orderly.

In an article for Al Jazeera, Firas Al-Atraqchi observed that the Youth Movement, as it has broadly come to be known, is made up of young people who have “have known no other president, no other ruling party and no other political system.” It does not define itself by political ideology, but demonstrates optimism toward Egypt’s future that has inspired an entire society. Also a professor at the American University in Cairo, Al-Atraqchi wrote that her students have made it very clear to her that “opposition parties, long defunct and impotent, have been replaced by grassroots social action.”

The driving force of youth in these current events and the participation of individuals from all ages and backgrounds have shown the possibility for inter-generational partnership, another important feature of an enabling environment discussed at the Global Conference in October.

Photos courtesy of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

However, as protests give way to what Egyptians hope will be a genuine democratic transition, political leaders must take care not to discount the significant achievements that youth have made in the streets by excluding them from this process. As Egypt faces its future, national dialogue must readily encourage the participation and leadership of youth. Some observers suggest that the creation of an Egyptian Youth Party is necessary for ensuring a legitimate voice for young people in the political process.

For the sake of Egypt’s youth, our hope is that whatever new government emerges in the aftermath, it will take the formidable force of its young citizens seriously and make a concerted effort to enable and harness their full capabilities. As the title of Egypt’s 2010 Human Development Report suggests, youth are crucial to building Egypt’s future. The courage, hope and dignity of Egypt’s youth witnessed by the world over the past two weeks have made their commitment to that future even clearer.

IANYS will be releasing its Report on the 9th Global Conference, which highlights several important themes and issues related to the situation in Egypt, within the next few weeks. In building an ongoing community of practice, IANYS also aims to foster shared learning among its members and will provide opportunities for international and regional dialogue and coordination via an interactive online networking platform, building on the impressive momentum of the conference.

Further reading:

Volunteerism Breaks Out in Egypt
The Leaders of Now
Abdou, Ehaab et al. (2010). Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East: Toward Sustainable Development for the Next Generation
EHDR 2010, Youth in Egypt: Building Our Future
John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at American University in Cairo
Innovations in Civic Participation (2010). Youth Civic Participation in Action: Meeting Youth and Community Needs Worldwide, Egypt Country Snapshot

Virtual Volunteering

2011-02-02T11:22:00.006-05:00

A recent study by the Pew Research Center has shown that people who use the internet are more civically engaged than their offline counterparts. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as both internet use and mainstream modes of civic engagement are correlated with income, and Pew used an expansive measure of civic participation, including everything from political rallies to online chatrooms. However, the increased engagement of internet users demonstrates that the internet is great resource for volunteers, and one that has yet to be fully tapped.

Nearly all volunteer agencies and nonprofits use the internet for information and recruitment. (For example, see Serve.gov or VolunteerMatch.org.) There is no doubt that social networking has changed the way volunteering functions, and has led to great changes in how people find volunteer opportunities.

However, ask the average person what they think of when the word volunteering is mentioned, and they may conjure images of soup kitchens, construction sites and long hours spent mentoring youth. While this type of engagement is necessary (and commendable!) it does not fully capture the opportunities that technology has made available. Every day, thousands of people volunteer without ever leaving the comfort of their home.

Websites such as Sparked help people take advantage of these opportunities. Sparked, which considers itself a “micro-volunteering” platform, allows volunteers to help nonprofits based on their specific skills and interests.

On the site, nonprofits from around the world post “challenges” that volunteers then take on. Right now, there are challenges from a Swedish nonprofit looking for help with Twitter, a Cameroonian organization looking for revenue ideas, a Canadian nonprofit looking for help with event planning, and hundreds of other challenges in dozens of different fields. Volunteers can do as much or as little as they would like—all without leaving their home!

More traditional organizations have also gotten into the act. The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) website also has virtual volunteering opportunities that can be searched by skill or interest area. The UNV program is more formal than Sparked (you have to apply and be screened in order to volunteer, whereas Sparked is open to everyone) but the goal—to allow people to volunteer from home—is the same.

This type of crowd sourcing isn’t a new idea, but the move into the civic engagement sphere is a positive development. According to the US Bureau of Labor, 45% of Americans who don’t volunteer cite lack of time as the reason. Innovations such as Sparked and UNV virtual volunteering help to mitigate this excuse, and allow people to volunteer without setting aside a major part of their day.

Next time you’re bored online, remember this simple fact: A little time volunteering completely offsets a day spent Facebook stalking.

ICP Executive Director Visits Pakistan, Speaks on Youth Service

2011-01-26T11:45:00.030-05:00

"Through global citizenship we can create better-educated citizens from many countries, greater opportunities for prosperity and a foundation for a more peaceful world”
–ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud

Last week, ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud journeyed to Pakistan to participate in a regional symposium and visit with various youth organizations in Islamabad and Lahore.

A 2008 study by the Brookings Institution revealed that there are nearly 94 million Pakistani’s under the age of 25, 36 million of whom are between the ages of 15-24. To some, this represents an almost unmanageable number of people to employ, feed and house. For ICP and our partners, it represents vast untapped potential.

While in Pakistan, Susan met with many groups to discuss the power of youth to promote social change, including students completing service-learning projects at several schools, members of the Pakistan-U.S Alumni Network Youth Group and the inspiring youth organization Bargad.

Bargad clearly demonstrates what is possible when youth come together. Founded by a group of college students in 1997, Bargad works to promote youth development and engagement in Pakistan, especially among women. The group has completed dozens of projects, and is currently working on empowering girls in Gujranwala, promoting democratic values in Lahore, improving waste management across the country and many other ventures.

Susan also spoke with the press, and had a guest spot on the popular Pakistani TV show Witness with Quatrina, where she discussed methods to increase youth civic engagement.

In addition, Susan gave a keynote address at the Youth in Action for Global Change regional symposium, which was organized by the British Council, Pakistan. The goal of the symposium was to develop a workable strategy for promoting engagement and global citizenship in order to combat youth radicalization. Youth activists, policy makers, and government officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Qatar, the United States and the UK were in attendance.

In her speech, Susan emphasized the importance of global citizenship and the tremendous impact young people can have on development. ”Harnessing the energy of young people to work with people of other nations will strengthen our ability to tackle global challenges and lead to a more secure world” Susan said. “Through global citizenship we can create better-educated citizens from many countries, greater opportunities for prosperity and a foundation for a more peaceful world”.

Susan mentioned several organizations that were working towards a more global citizenry, including well known organizations such as the Peace Corps, as well as smaller organizations such as School Girls Unite (which was one of 22 organizations highlighted in ICP’s Innovations in International Volunteering report produced for v in 2008). The young people in these groups, and the millions more like them, are demonstrating how powerful the forces of change can be when wielded in the hands of youth.

Young people across the globe, from Pakistan to Zambia, the UK to Chile, are connecting to wield this power. What are you doing? Let us know in the comments!