Diminishing the cultural divide through volunteer exchange programs benefits people on a global scale. Broadening the scope of ones experience and developing their skills with unique encounters that provide community aid – turns travel and self discovery into an adventure!
Australia an Adventurous Nation
Australian overseas volunteer efforts began in the 1950s with Herb Feirth. An Indonesian diplomat who inspired the formation of the Volunteer Graduate Scheme, a project that pre-dates the American Peace Corps and the British VSO.
Australian Volunteers International as it is now known, assisted with requests for technical experts who could live and work in Indonesia sharing knowledge to teach independence.
The Australian government in 1965 provided funding and their financing continues to support expanding requests for volunteers in overseas locations. Asia, the Pacific and Africa are all benefiting from assignments developed to improve conditions in local communities.
AVI offers community support via a partnership that allows local organisations to employ the volunteers. The assignments involve skills, experience for resolving development needs and training local staff to be independent. Assistance is also offered to host organisations for managing projects, improving administration systems and building networks.
The opportunities for people to improve their work skills whilst experiencing another culture are part of the benefits to volunteers. The effect to poverty and inequality gives purpose to the people involved. The AVI is the first of its kind but not the only (see below). Australians have a history of cooperating on an international level to achieve numerous objectives towards betterment.
Conservation Volunteers Australia also operates in foreign destinations and provides training courses and certification in Active Volunteering. Qualifications represent the reputable position of volunteers and indicate the career possibilities.
The field of professional volunteering is not restricted by age and the best way to start is by considering what cause interests you, the AVI can assist with providing information on volunteer programs in your area of expertise or interest.
Australian Volunteer program application periods coming up in 2012
21 January to 13 February 2012 – assignments start May to June 2012
14 April to 7 May 2012 – assignments start August to September 2012
14 July to 6 August 2012 – assignments start November 2012 to February 2013
Volunteer Travel and Cultural Exchange Resources
Depending on your point of departure, anyone interested in advancing their career and cultural awareness should consider ‘googling’ volunteer travel programs – the opportunities are without bounds, offering a plethora of places and causes to pursue your passion and find your purpose.
A few of our favourites, offering a wide variety of destinations and skill acquisition include:
Travellers Worldwide a leading international provider of Voluntary Placements and Work Experience Internships overseas.
Go Abroad over 27,000 opportunities abroad updated daily.
i-to-i work with hundreds of projects around the globe, organically developed by the local community, for the local community.
