Rethinking International

© Andrew Smith/ UN Volunteers

Volunteering and
Co-operation

IVCO 2006
Conference Report

4-6 October 2006

UN Campus, Bonn
2
Welcome to IVCO 2006
©SKI/Jessica Lowe Cliff Allum, President of the State Secretary Karin Kortmann gave a passionate welcome speech
International FORUM on Development stating her strong support for volunteering.
Service, and Ad de Raad, Executive
Coordinator of United Nations "Germany is taking over the EU presidency in January 2007.
Volunteers (UNV) welcomed We should use this as an opportunity to give a breath of fresh
delegates to the recently inaugurated life to volunteering." Karin Kortmann, Parliamentary State
UN Campus in Bonn and to the start Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
of the 2006 meeting of International
Volunteer Cooperation Organisations
Development, Germany.
(IVCO).
Ad de Radd, Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
then gave a keynote speech. He introduced UNV as an organisation and
The focus of this year’s conference
introduced people to their V4D (volunteering for development) model.
was, how we can improve our impact.
This was looked at through studying
general trends over the past five
“Focus on and clear association with the 'V' [volunteer]
Cliff Allum, President FORUM years, discussing recent dimension represents a comparative and competitive
developments in measuring impact advantage that can make the whole of IVCOs so much more
and exploring three areas in which new ways of engagement are than the sum of their own volunteers.” Ad de Raad, Executive
possible and topical, ‘Rethinking Working with the Private Sector’, ‘Public Coordinator, UNV.
Engagement and Influencing Policy’ and ‘Collaboration and Cooperation.’

Welcome to IVCO 2006

Tony German from Development Initiatives presented his findings from
research commissioned by FORUM, Key Trends in International
Volunteering and Co-operation 2001-2006.
“The old mould of volunteer sending has been firmly
broken” it is “clear that we are now development
organisations using volunteering as a tool to achieve
development objectives.” Tony German,
Development Initiatives.
• The Millennium Development Goals
• Post 9/11 agenda: preoccupation with (military) security, instability,
and perhaps identity and cohesion
• Aid falls reversed: new pledges on UN 0.7% target
• International development and poverty reduction regularly in news
and on mainstream
political agenda
• Aspects of globalisation have become a reality: access (for some) to
information, increased mobility, global trade, finance and employment

These changes have resulted in IVCOs having to adapt, with some of the
The following points were shown to be the major changes in environment
main issues being: as aid increases there is is ever present pressure to
on aid, development and poverty reduction in the last five years:
show results, the Paris Declaration and engaging with alternative ⇒ Increasing number of available volunteers
develpment approaches. ⇒
⇒
New models of working with Southern partners
Changes in volunteer recruitment
3
Tony went on to discuss trends in:
• Relationships with donors
• The international development context ⇒ Evaluation and impact assessment. IVCOs really want to
⇒ Capacity development show that they’re making a difference which is much more
⇒ Growing aid volume positive than impact assessment just for donor reporting
⇒ Impact of the global security agenda ⇒ Overcoming funding challenges
⇒ Increased access to communications
⇒ Engaging with alternative actors. The growth in private • Competition and partners
sector collaboration is “patchy, interesting, and has lots of
potential.” Tony German • Increasing professionalism of IVCOs
⇒ Private funders and vertical funds
Tony then discussed possible challenges for the future such as gender,
• International Cooperation Organisations exclusion and what distinctive contribution could IVCOs make to
⇒ Short rather than long term placement eliminating poverty by 2025?

©SKI/Jessica Lowe
These are some of the key points raised in group
discussion:

“Although IVCOs have broken the mould

many people don’t know that it has been
broken so there is a huge PR challenge for
agencies”

“There is a mixed picture of diverse activities

rather than a crystallised new model. Lots of
younger volunteers, older volunteers, shorter
term placements, online etc.”

“Volunteers tend to be with us for a fixed

period of time, they then leave. How do we
stay connected with this population? They are
a trained resource”
Karin Kortmann, State Secretary and Ad de Raad, Executive Coordinator, UNV
4
Measuring our Impact
Edmund Bengtsson, Evaluation Unit (UNV), presented the background
and process of their methodology for impact assessment.
The "Methodology to Assess the Impact of International Volunteering"
was developed by three consultants from CIDT (Centre for International
Development and Training) in Wolverhampton, UK. The development of
the methodology was overseen by a steering group made up of FORUM
members (Skillshare International, JICA, Australian Volunteers
International, Canadian Crossroads International, VSA) and DED, which
was lead by UNV.
The methodology was tested in around ten countries around the world
and there was a two-day workshop attended by the steering group in
June to review the pilot. UNV will use this methodology to enhance their
current evaluation systems and tools, and other organisations have also
expressed interest in using the methodology.
Ryuichi Nasu, Senior Assistant to Director General (JICA), then
presented JICA’s key findings on their volunteer programme evaluation
which is focussed on the idea of three viewpoints for evaluation:
contribution to social and economic development or reconstruction in
developing countries, promotion of a friendly relationship and a mutual
understanding between developing countries and Japan, and the sharing
of volunteer experiences with society.
Rethinking Working with the Private Sector
Mark Goldring, CEO (VSO), introduced the session ‘rethinking working with
the private sector.’ He stated that “Corporate partnerships have often been
seen as a source of funds or people or gifts,” but this is changing.
Contemporary corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda is more
challenging, it only works well where there is a level of mutuality. There also
needs to be clarity and a meeting of minds between the corporate
organisation and the NGO/ international volunteering organisation when
forming a partnership.
JICA adopted parts of the methodology for impact assessment (UNV-led
research) in their volunteer programme evaluation.
“How do we draw out the added value of volunteerism
rather than the contribution of an individual volunteer?”
Cliff Allum, President, FORUM.
Discussion then followed, a few points raised were:
• Another model: start with what happened, then what caused it,
then what was the role of the volunteer.
• Some of the richness of
the work we’ve talked
about is in the dynamism
of the planned and
unintended outcomes.
©JICA/Naoko Yago
• Most significant change
stories are beautiful
but more difficult to
aggregate.
Presentations followed giving examples of working in partnership with the
corporate sector and the positives and pitfalls that can grow from such a
collaboration.
One partnership model of engagement with the private sector is corporate
exchange as explained by Tor Elden, Director General Fredskorpset (FK
Norway). FK Norway facilitates Norwegian business people going to Africa
and African business people coming to Norway in an exchange programme.
Originally the business community in Norway were sceptical toward the new
 ©United Colours of Benetton/James Mollison
“Yes we still want dollars and companies have dollars to 5
give, but they increasingly want relationships.
Relationships take time and careful planning” Donna
Keher, Chief of Partnerships, Comms and ResMob, UNV.
The topic of exclusivity was then discussed. Donna stated that UNV does not
grant exclusivity to anyone and Pierre commented that exclusivity often
almost happens in a self-selecting way.

Discussion then focussed on screening and ethical checks of private

companies. It was suggested that there should be a compatibility of visions,
missions and business practices. Selection should be based on companies’
behaviours, but companies’ behaviours can change quickly, in which case do
we make a decision based on current behaviour , history or public
perception?

Delegates then split into groups for discussions, there were no report backs –
just an opportunity to learn and share. The four presenters facilitated the
Fredskorpset but now these partnerships make up 15% of their programme discussion groups all looking at this question:
portfolio.
Question for group discussion:
Pierre Veronneau, Executive Director (Oxfam-Quebec), then talked about What are the opportunities and challenges in more engagement with
Oxfam-Quebec’s partnership with Cirque de Soleil. Oxfam-Quebec receives the private sector?
support for their programme from Cirque de Soleil, but the two organisations
also have a joint programme ‘Cirque de Monde’. There are two aspects to
the programme, public engagement through art and a water project. This is
not a corporate donation – it’s a long-term partnership.

Another model was presented with the example of a joint venture of the
Uniterra initiative. Sylvain Matte, Director General (Uniterra, CECI), talked
about the ’Leave for Change’ (Congé Solidaire) scheme. Uniterra facilitates
short-term placements for private company employees to transform their
holidays into development placements. The private company provides
financial donations for each placement and in return increases its visibility as
a good corporate citizen and benefits from increased staff retention.

Donna Keher, Chief of Partnerships, Comms and ResMob (UNV), finished

the presentations by talking about UNV’s partnerships . The Benetton
partnership allowed for co-branding opportunities such as the ‘International
Year of the Volunteer’ posters. Pierre commented on the sensitivity of co-
branding – if there is an existing co-branding relationship with a private
sector partner, the corporate partner can have issues when the international
volunteering organisation considers new corporate partnerships.
6
Public Engagement and Influencing Policy
©SKI/Jessica Lowe
Group Discussion
In addressing the topic of ‘Public Engagement and Influencing Policy’
Karen Takacs, Executive Director (CCI), presented on the collaboration
of volunteer cooperation agencies (VCAs) in Canada and how that has
assisted with public engagement. VCAs share a common struggle to
keep up to date contact information, and to engage returned volunteers
where they live so they decided to collaborate on funding challenges,
policy influence, and program support. This has benefits as often VCAs
do not have the resources to support large scale campaigns on their
own.
“By public engagement we mean the processes and
activities of engaging citizens that enables people to
move from basic awareness of international
development issues, through to an understanding of the
causes and effects of global issues to personal and
informed action.” Karen Takacs, Executive Director, CCI.
Sepp Gähwiler, CEO (Bethlehem Mission Immensee), gave a
presentation also focussed on collaboration in public engagement. Sepp
described the varied ways Bethlehem Mission Immensee (BMI) engages
people, through their ‘Wendekreis’ magazine, the RomeroHaus workshop
and education centre, and a structured group of returned volunteers who
offer advice and training.
The case study Sepp chose to elaborate was a collaborative effort of BMI
(a Catholic missionary organisation) and Swiss Interchurch Aid
(a Protestant organisation). They worked together on the ‘Africa Needs
Medicines - Now!’ campaign. The campaign focussed on collecting
signatures for a petition and a large event where 6,000 lit candles were
placed in the shape of an AIDS ribbon in front of the Swiss parliamentary
buildings.
Tor Elden, Director General (FK Norway), described how FK Norway bases
a lot of their public engagement on cooperation with their Southern
partners. There are educational programmes in all secondary schools
where they work, culture activities to show diversity and focus on the
MDGs in different activities. Municipalities discuss how to make the
municipality a better place and carry on activities on their own.
“Influencing policy through government IS
relationships” Dimity Fifer, CEO, AVI.
Dimity Fifer, CEO (AVI) then gave her presentation on AVI and
influencing policy through relationships with the government. Dimity
stated that “It is about dialogue and two-way exchange. AVI has a long
strong history and the name has a lot of clout, they are seen as a leader
in their country which opens doors such as
returned volunteers having hearings with
©JICA
parliamentarians.”
Links with returned volunteers are kept
strong through emails every six weeks
keeping them abreast of issues and how
they can be involved.
Dong Ho Kim, Director (KOICA), talked
about public engagement in Korea. They
also have a strong network of returned
volunteers engaged in the association of
ex-KOICA volunteers. The Korean
government financially supports the
association giving funds for projects such
as large exhibitions about volunteering in
subway stations etc. There is also a
national volunteer award to raise Dimity Fifer, CEO, AVI
public awareness.
 Open Topics 7
The Work of UNV Collaboration and Cooperation
• Online Volunteering JOCV
The online volunteering service connects development organisations and
volunteers worldwide over the internet and supports their online Naoko Yago, Programme Officer (JICA/JOCV), presented JOCV’s collaboration
collaboration. Volunteers complete tasks over the internet and it is a useful in Africa on AIDS programmes. She explained the programme model and how it
tool for engaging volunteers who cannot travel. involves cooperation with the government, community and hospitals.

• World Volunteer Web Possible future collaborations for JOCV include Peace Corps, DED,
The World Volunteer Web is a volunteering FHI and UNFPA.
resource site hosted by UNV. It provides links
to a variety of information, databases of Skillshare International and AVI
organisations, forums and blogs, and a bank
of stories and perspectives. Skillshare International and AVI have been working in
partnership in Southern Africa for six months. Dimity
• Volunteer Infrastructure Fifer, CEO (AVI), and Elaine Stevenson, International
UNV presented the four key points of their Programmes Manager (Skillshare International),
volunteering infrastructure: presented to IVCO delegates this partnership. AVI
• Reach a common understanding of recruits volunteers which are then supported by
volunteerism and a shared Skillshare in the host country. Skillshare International
appreciation of its value. manages AVI’s Africa programme.
• Establish and nurture an enabling Dimity described the partnership as an “evolving,
environment. emergent relationship.” Elaine said that “stronger
• Adopt a diversity of approaches to partnerships will add voice for social change.” They
mobilising and facilitating volunteerism both stressed that the partnership benefited from
• Ensure sustainable funding both parties having similar values, and communication
and trust.

©SKI/Jessica Lowe
©SKI/Jessica Lowe

Peace Corps
Jody Olsen, Deputy Director (Peace Corps), gave a presentation on
the work of Peace Corps as 2006 is the organisation’s 45th
anniversary. She gave information on their history, their missions
and goals, recruitment, volunteer service, host countries and their
approach to development.
Jody then directed delegates to the Peace Corps website as a
resource for languages, recruitment materials and
evaluation materials.
Delegates enjoy the stands at IVCO Jody Olsen, Deputy Director, Peace Corps
Participants
Cliff Allum, President,
International FORUM on
Development Service
Lydia Ang Chia Ying, Manager,
Singapore International
Foundation
Lydia Baker, Research
Consultant, Development
Initiatives
Michelle Brooks, Director of
Congressional Relations, Peace
Corps
Liz Burns, President, IAVE
Eun Ju Cha, Assistant Manager,
KOICA
Lillian Chatterjee, Director
General, CIDA
Ad de Raad, Executive
Coordinator, UNV
Tor Elden, Director General,
Fredskorpset (FK Norway)
Hartwig Euler, General Manager,
AK LHÜ
Dimity Fifer, CEO, AVI
Sepp Gähwiler, CEO, BMI
Tony German, Research
Consultant, Development
Initiatives
Mark Goldring, Chief Executive,
VSO
Donna Keher, Chief,
Partnerships, Comms and
ResMob, UNV
Dong Ho Kim, Director, KOICA
Angela König, Director, EIRENE
International
Eric Levine, Chief Executive,
SPW
Claire Lewis, Coordinator,
FORUM
Jessica Lowe, Coordinator,
FORUM
Jean Marc Mangin, Executive
Director, CUSO
Sylvain Matte, Director Uniterra,
CECI
Rod Macleod, International
Programmes Director,
Progressio
Ryuichi Nasu, Senior Assistant
to Director General, JICA/JOCV
Åsa Öhrström, Head of HR,
Forum Syd
Jody Olsen, Deputy Director,
Peace Corps
Masaaki Otsuka, Director-
General, JICA/JOCV
Doris Popp, Senior Policy
Advisor, DED
Peter Reicher, Chairman, HVSF
Rudolf Rogg, Head of Technical
Dept, DED
Frédérique Samé-Ekobo, Many thanks to UNV for
Partnership Development hosting this year’s
conference and to all UNV
Officer, AFVP employees involved.
Martin Schreiber, Central
Secretariat, Unité
Dagmar Schumacher, Head, Next Steps
Donor Relations Unit, UNV IVCO 2007 will be held in
Luís Silva, Head of International Montreal 17th-19th
Programmes, Skillshare September.
International
Deborah Snelson, CEO, VSA For further information about
FORUM, please contact:
Elaine Stevenson, International
info@forum-ids.org
Programmes Manager,
Skillshare International
Karen Takacs, Executive
Director, Canadian Crossroads
International
Margaret Thevarakon, Senior
Manager, Singapore
International Foundation
Bente Topsøe-Jensen,
International Director,
Mellemfolkeligt
Lars Tollemark, Recruitment
Officer, Forum Syd
Pierre Veronneau, Executive
Director, Oxfam Quebéc
Naoko Yago, Programme
Officer, JICA/JOCV
This report has been printed on recycled paper.
Joyce Yu, Deputy Executive
Coordinator, UNV