Ivco 2006 Report

© Andrew Smith/ UN Volunteers

Rethinking International Volunteering and Co-operation

IVCO 2006 Conference Report 4-6 October 2006 UN Campus, Bonn

Welcome to IVCO 2006 ©SKI/Jessica Lowe

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Cliff Allum, President of the International FORUM on Development Service, and Ad de Raad, Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) welcomed delegates to the recently inaugurated UN Campus in Bonn and to the start of the 2006 meeting of International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations (IVCO).

The focus of this year’s conference was, how we can improve our impact. This was looked at through studying general trends over the past five Cliff Allum, President FORUM years, discussing recent developments in measuring impact and exploring three areas in which new ways of engagement are possible and topical, ‘Rethinking Working with the Private Sector’, ‘Public Engagement and Influencing Policy’ and ‘Collaboration and Cooperation.’

State Secretary Karin Kortmann gave a passionate welcome speech stating her strong support for volunteering.

"Germany is taking over the EU presidency in January 2007. We should use this as an opportunity to give a breath of fresh life to volunteering." Karin Kortmann, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany. Ad de Radd, Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) then gave a keynote speech. He introduced UNV as an organisation and introduced people to their V4D (volunteering for development) model.

“Focus on and clear association with the 'V' [volunteer] dimension represents a comparative and competitive advantage that can make the whole of IVCOs so much more than the sum of their own volunteers.” Ad de Raad, Executive Coordinator, UNV.

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 following points were shown to be the major changes in environment on aid, development and poverty reduction in the last five years:

• 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 main issues being: as aid increases there is is ever present pressure to

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show results, the Paris Declaration and engaging with alternative develpment approaches. Tony went on to discuss trends in:

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The international development context ⇒ Capacity development ⇒ Growing aid volume ⇒ Impact of the global security agenda ⇒ Increased access to communications ⇒ Engaging with alternative actors. The growth in private sector collaboration is “patchy, interesting, and has lots of potential.” Tony German ⇒ Private funders and vertical funds

Increasing number of available volunteers New models of working with Southern partners Changes in volunteer recruitment

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Relationships with donors ⇒ Evaluation and impact assessment. IVCOs really want to show that they’re making a difference which is much more positive than impact assessment just for donor reporting ⇒ Overcoming funding challenges

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Competition and partners

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Increasing professionalism of IVCOs

Tony then discussed possible challenges for the future such as gender, exclusion and what distinctive contribution could IVCOs make to eliminating poverty by 2025?

International Cooperation Organisations ⇒ Short rather than long term placement

©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

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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.

“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:

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Another model: start with what happened, then what caused it, then what was the role of the volunteer.

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Some of the richness of the work we’ve talked about is in the dynamism of the planned and unintended outcomes.

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Most significant change stories are beautiful but more difficult to aggregate.

©JICA/Naoko Yago

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.

JICA adopted parts of the methodology for impact assessment (UNV-led research) in their volunteer programme evaluation.

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.

Presentations followed giving examples of working in partnership with the corporate sector and the positives and pitfalls that can grow from such a collaboration.

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.

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

Fredskorpset but now these partnerships make up 15% of their programme portfolio. Pierre Veronneau, Executive Director (Oxfam-Quebec), then talked about Oxfam-Quebec’s partnership with Cirque de Soleil. Oxfam-Quebec receives 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 cobranding – 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.

“Yes we still want dollars and companies have dollars to 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 discussion groups all looking at this question: Question for group discussion: What are the opportunities and challenges in more engagement with the private sector?

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Public Engagement and Influencing Policy ©SKI/Jessica Lowe

(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

Group Discussion

“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

“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 parliamentarians.”

©JICA

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.

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.

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 public awareness.

Dimity Fifer, CEO, AVI

Open Topics The Work of UNV

Collaboration and Cooperation

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JOCV

Online Volunteering The online volunteering service connects development organisations and volunteers worldwide over the internet and supports their online collaboration. Volunteers complete tasks over the internet and it is a useful tool for engaging volunteers who cannot travel.

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World Volunteer Web

Possible future collaborations for JOCV include Peace Corps, DED, FHI and UNFPA.

The World Volunteer Web is a volunteering resource site hosted by UNV. It provides links to a variety of information, databases of organisations, forums and blogs, and a bank of stories and perspectives.

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Naoko Yago, Programme Officer (JICA/JOCV), presented JOCV’s collaboration in Africa on AIDS programmes. She explained the programme model and how it involves cooperation with the government, community and hospitals.

Skillshare International and AVI Skillshare International and AVI have been working in partnership in Southern Africa for six months. Dimity Fifer, CEO (AVI), and Elaine Stevenson, International Programmes Manager (Skillshare International), presented to IVCO delegates this partnership. AVI recruits volunteers which are then supported by Skillshare in the host country. Skillshare International manages AVI’s Africa programme.

Volunteer Infrastructure UNV presented the four key points of their volunteering infrastructure: • Reach a common understanding of volunteerism and a shared appreciation of its value. • Establish and nurture an enabling environment. • Adopt a diversity of approaches to mobilising and facilitating volunteerism • Ensure sustainable funding

Dimity described the partnership as an “evolving, emergent relationship.” Elaine said that “stronger partnerships will add voice for social change.” They both stressed that the partnership benefited from 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

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Participants 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, DirectorGeneral, JICA/JOCV Doris Popp, Senior Policy Advisor, DED Peter Reicher, Chairman, HVSF Rudolf Rogg, Head of Technical Dept, DED

Frédérique Samé-Ekobo, Partnership Development Officer, AFVP Martin Schreiber, Central Secretariat, Unité Dagmar Schumacher, Head, Donor Relations Unit, UNV Luís Silva, Head of International Programmes, Skillshare International Deborah Snelson, CEO, VSA Elaine Stevenson, International 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 Joyce Yu, Deputy Executive Coordinator, UNV

Many thanks to UNV for hosting this year’s conference and to all UNV employees involved.

Next Steps IVCO 2007 will be held in Montreal 17th-19th September. For further information about FORUM, please contact: [email protected]

This report has been printed on recycled paper.

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