THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE
By FOCSIV
The International Voluntary Service is a demonstration of
solidarity among communities, universality and peace, availability
and service, Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV
1. What is the international voluntary service
2. Identikit of the international volunteer
3. Sectors of volunteer work
4. Volunteer training
5. How to apply
6. The Voluntary Civil Service abroad
7. The United Nations Volunteers Programme
8. The commitment of the volunteers on their re-entry
9. Study tools
10. Useful links
1.What is the international voluntary service
Choosing to be a volunteer is fundamentally a personal
choice. In whatever sector, we are dealing with a real, original
answer to situations of alienation, poverty and injustice.
Those who commit to international solidarity, in Italy, as
in the poorest countries of the world, unite to denounce
general conditions of injustice, the intentional willingness
to change and to overcome iniquity, aiming their actions
to making firm, constant commitments. This is the reason
for which the choice of the International Voluntary Service
is innate with deep political influence. The volunteer, in
fact, is called upon to contribute to the creation of conditions
of justice, combating all the obstacles built up by structures
realised by the egoistic human and by distorted wealth distribution
mechanisms. These political options form the basis of a volunteer's
actions who identifies the most efficient form, being more
real and more human in their choice to offer their technical
and professional services to an international solidarity
project, in a free, sharing spirit. To this we can add, for
those who commit themselves to the Christian inspired NGO,
such as those associated with the Volunteers in the world
- FOCSIV, a deep spiritual influence and a spirit of closeness
to the teachings of the gospel.
The components which, with different combinations, allow them to respond appropriately
to the needs expressed by the reality of the Southern world, which always motivates
them to start initiatives of international solidarity, are the professionalism
and the gratuitousness of the service, the availability of personnel and programmes,
the expansion and realisation of others and the spirit of renunciation and
institutional protection and guarantee. The professionalism and expertise of
the volunteers, even if they are the fundamental components, would not be enough
to justify sending people to countries in which, now more than ever, highly
specialised professional figures are available locally: the wealth and potential
of the experience of the International Voluntary Service is fundamental in
the exchange and sharing that occurs with full respect for mentalities and
culture.
2. Identikit of the international volunteer
Even if no universally recognised "model" exists to define the international volunteer, it is possible to identify a series of characteristics and availability, that, along with strong motivations, the sense of gratuitousness and awareness of enhancement in the meeting and exchange between different cultures, marks out an efficient identikit. The specifications provided will have different importance depending on NGO needs and the development project on which the volunteers are assigned.
Volunteer Professionalism
The specialist capabilities, training process and possible
former work experience are fundamental: it is mainly
based on these components that the volunteers
are assigned to the project. And it is therefore important to interpret the
service experience in the South also in terms of fundamental professional
growth.
Personal characteristics and expertise
The main personal characteristics that each volunteer must have to make the
most of an experience of international cooperation are: a communicative and
relational capacity, adaptability and stress tolerance, a decision making
capacity, negotiation capacity, the capacity to work in a team and the capacity
to coordinate.
Training availability
The completion of a rigorous training course is a necessary condition to
become an international volunteer: the objective of the development NGO
is in fact
that of uniting full awareness and training to the dynamics of cooperation
with the professionalism of the volunteer candidate.
The spiritual dimension
For those people who made a choice in Christian faith, the experience
of the international voluntary service experience represents a real confirmation
of
the willingness to respond to a vocation of love and charity and to feel
part of God's people, which is not limited by geographical borders.
3.Sectors of volunteer work
For more details on the different sectors of volunteer work:
www.focsiv.it/presenza/presenza_index.htm
4.Volunteer training
You cannot decide to act as an International Solidarity
operator. Whether the commitment of the person involved occurs
in an activity in Italy, whether the projects take you to
Africa, South America, Asia or Eastern Europe, it is right
to support this person's reasons and technical skills with
specific training that makes a person aware of their role,
the dynamics that drive or derive from their actions and
the complex relationship between the different parties involved.
For this reason, there are several types of training available:
schools to study themes of international cooperation, addressed
to those who want to improve their knowledge of an issue,
along side training courses for volunteers ready to go on
assignment. The people interested have a good range of opportunity
to choose from.
For further information: www.focsiv.it/volont/volont.htm
5.How to apply
For people approaching the international voluntary service
for the first time, eager to offer their availability, it
is not always easy to disentangle from the jungle of acronyms
and regulations which are specific to the world of Cooperation. "InformarVI",
the Information Service on the International Voluntary Service
promoted by the Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV, was founded
to offer this guidance to all people interested and to properly
inform them of real collaboration possibilities. It organises
information meetings around Italy, preselecting volunteer
candidates and it also coordinates the FOCSIV Volunteer Data
Base. InformarVI is available by phone or via internet, offering
further information on line.
Contacts: InformarVI, Tel. (39) 06-68.76.706
e-mail: informarvi@focsiv.it
6. The Voluntary Civil Service abroad
Performing a civil service in international cooperation represents a further opportunity for all females between 18 and 26 years of age and males of the same age not suitable for the military service or suitable but conscientious objectors. The laws regulating employment in collaboration activities and international solidarity are varied, but equally interesting. The main laws follow:
CIVIL SERVICE AS A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
The conscientious objector is regulated by law 230/98. The duration of the civil service is equal to 10 months. The conscientious objector's application must be presented to their Military District or Port Authority and must contain, other than the reason for their objection, the vocational area (International Cooperation), the field of employment and the organisation where they want to perform the service. Within 9 months from the presentation of the application the objector starts working. The civil service in the Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV is performed in one of the associated NGO, and where possible, abroad for part of the service on cooperation projects.
VOLUNTARY CIVIL SERVICE
The voluntary civil service is regulated by law 64/01.
Its duration is equal to 12 months and a contribution equal
to that paid to a volunteer on assignment. According to this
law, females aged between 18 and 26 years and males of the
same age not suitable for the military service can provide
their services. The age limit will be extended to 28 years
of age as from 1 June 2004. During the year, the Civil Service
National Office issues a series of announcements to allow
the competition for posts on single projects drawn up by
service bodies.
The interested youth can submit the application directly to the civil service
bodies, who have the task of selecting and drawing up a list of the applications.
On passing the selection, the Civil Service National Office arranges the commencement
of the service, on the chosen project, with direct communication with the youth.
For the youth completing civil service in the Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV,
he/she is offered the experience of a firm commitment in the world of international
cooperation, in particular they are employed in the following activities:
- Planning, realising and managing sensitisation campaigns regarding issues relevant to International Solidarity, of training programmes for international solidarity
- Planning Development Education tools
- Canalisation of information regarding the International Voluntary Service
- Collaboration in the planning and organisation of events such as meetings, seminars, stands and exhibitions on international solidarity
- Collaboration in the management of some particular phases and some particular aspects of cooperation development projects directed at Developing Countries
- Collaboration in lobbying actions
CIVIL SERVICE AS WHITE HELMETS
If your desire is to perform the civil service abroad,
both as a Conscientious Objector and as a Civil Service Volunteer,
there is the White Helmet Project. The White Helmet Project,
humanitarian intervention in crisis areas, is officially
registered at the Civil Service National Office and is promoted
by a group of bodies (FOCSIV, Ass. Papa Giovanni XXIII, Caritas
Italiana, GAVCI) traditionally engaged in bringing peace
to the world in difficult areas and in building fairer relationships.
The Project, with a high educational value, includes the
insertion of young people in Development Cooperation Projects
in managing activities to overcome unfair situations that
generate conflicts. There is a compulsory training programme
before departing for missions abroad.
For further information on the voluntary civil service applications: www.focsiv.it/volont/servizio%20civile%20volontario/progettiimpiego.htm
7.United Nations Volunteers Programme
Created in 1970 by the United Nations General Assembly,
the UNV Programme acts as an operative partner in development
cooperation activities on request of the UN member States.
It operates in collaboration with governments, Development
Banks, NGO and the UN Agencies (fao, OIL, PAM, UNESCO, ACRNU,
WHO, UNICEF). The United Nations volunteers take part in
a wide range of activities: the programme file has 115 registered
professional categories. The volunteers are mainly employed
in the field of technical development cooperation, participation
actions aimed at communities, humanitarian assistance and
reconstruction works, peace actions, human rights and election
observations. In Italy there are two Focal Points responsible
for the recruitment of Italian candidates for the UNV Programme.
For further information: http://www.focsiv.it/informarvi/unv.htm
8. The commitment of the volunteers on their re-entry
The idea of constructing an Association to unite everyone
involved in the international voluntary service was founded
following a national meeting of Voluntari Rientrati (Volunteers
returning from assignment) which took place in Verona on
6 December 1998. On this occasion, organised by Volunteers
in the world - FOCSIV, the large number of volunteers re-entering
in Italy was noted, then with around 13,000 people, and more
importantly, a great patrimony of experience, professionalism
and humanity which they represent. The necessity to do something
to assess this patrimony started from these Volontari Rientrati
(VR). In fact, the NGO did not have a reference structure
for VR. Many of them, on re-entering, did not have any contact
with their original organisation or with other voluntary
bodies. Therefore, this experience remained, for many, a
close personal experience to share with family and a few
friends.
Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV, sensitive to the needs of Volontari Rientrati
and aware of the necessity not to squander this wealth, following the meeting
in Verona, committed to creating a stable meeting and communication point between
those who lived the experience of the international voluntary service and those,
who had not witnessed this direct experience in the South, to share these deep
emotions. This structure assists communication between all of those who want
to commit themselves to contributing in the construction of a more aware and
mature culture of International Cooperation in Italy.
The National Association Network of Re-entered Volunteers was established on
14 May 2000 in Bologna, with the following objectives:
- assess the patrimony of experience and professionalism of the re-entered volunteers, also within the prospective of availability and collaboration with Non Governmental Organisations and International Organisations involved in international solidarity
- encourage awareness, aggregation and exchange among re-entered volunteers, also to facilitate their reinsertion in their own country
- participate in the training of critical awareness towards development models which don't respect the dignity of each man and woman, which determines the exclusion and alienation of the world's poor populations
- contribute to peace building, justice and safeguarding the environment worldwide, also through a political commitment, to bear upon governmental and legislative, national and international decisions
- support campaigns of sensitisation, information and fund raising in favour of the needy populations, to combat misery, oppression and all forms of alienation
- motivate the international voluntary service as a specific resource for human development, promoting and supporting initiatives which strengthen subjectivity, operativity and visibility on a national and international level
- promote and spread the cultures of Southern Hemisphere populations
- provide permanent training for re-entered volunteers
on issues of solidarity and universality, to keep them
permanently updated on problems regarding international
cooperation and development of the populations. For further
information on activity promotion updates of the VR Network
of re-entered volunteers:
http://www.tiscalinet.it/volontari_rientrati
9. Study tools
FOCSIV PUBLICATIONS
VOLONTARI NEL MONDO (Volunteers in the world)
This is a newsletter which is issued four times
a year about Federation initiatives and commitments in a
simple, clear manner, offering different ideas on current
problems in the Southern Hemisphere and on solidarity. It
is a tool within everyone's reach, above all those who wish
to maintain a link to the world of the international voluntary
service and be informed on our activities.
A yearly subscription costs 15 Euro.
VOLONTARI E TERZO MONDO (Volunteers and
the Third World)
A quarterly magazine from the Federation, a study
tool on certain issues and problems regarding North-South
relations. It is a particularly useful publication for anyone
who is interested in increasing their knowledge on the progress
of Southern Hemisphere development.
A yearly subscription costs 18 Euro.
VOLONTARI PER LO SVILUPPO (Volunteers
for development)
It is the general Federation magazine. It is a monthly
magazine to better understand this sphere from the points
of view of African and South American journalists, through
reports and exclusive investigations, but also though the
practical proposals for readers: responsible tourist trips,
volunteers research, adoption proposals, meetings, appointments
and training courses.
A yearly subscription costs 20 Euro.
NOTIZIARIO INTERNO (Internal Newsletter)
It is issued every fortnight and is sent via fax
or email. It provides an efficient information service on
Federation and NGO activities, news on NGO European development
and the DGCS of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, important
events and appointments planned in the cooperation world
and the Third Sector.
A yearly subscription costs 52 Euro.
I NUMERI DEL VOLONTARIATO INTERNAZIONALE(International
Voluntary Service Editions)
This is an annual publication which contains updates
of relevant data on working volunteers, projects in progress
in the Southern Hemisphere, activities in Italy and financial
resources of the Federation. It is produced and distributed
in cooperation with organised manifestations on the 5 December,
World Volunteer Day.
ANNUAL REPORT
This is an annual report on the activities and projects
realised by the Federation and Associated Organisations. In
particular, in the last few years, the Federation has further
promoted the central focus on human resources within a development
cooperation outline, evaluating the fundamental contributions
of these Organisations in the growth of a common awareness
of the concept of universality and international solidarity.
The report is available both in Italian and English.
"COLLANA "QUADERNI" ("Notebook" Series)
This is a series of single issue notes, a particular
review dedicated to the in-depth study of specific issues.
To date, 59 have been published.
The recent publication editions are:
- Cooperation and universality in international law
- Training for cooperation
- Partnership and challenges of the international volunteers who work on development projects in Kenya
- Christian inspired international voluntary service: comparatives elements of organisations in 16 European countries
- A development culture to confirm the rights of the population
- Christian inspired international voluntary service. Comparative elements of organisations in 16 European countries
- International voluntary service in Europe. A comparative study of the legislation of seven Member States of the European Union
- Training Acts for the training of working volunteers 1999
- CODE OF INTERNATIONAL DISCIPLINE:
- General and institutional international law
- Human rights
- Armed conflicts law
- International cooperation
- Environment and development
- FOCSIV Thirty Year Convention Proceedings
Each copy costs 6 Euro.
COLLANA "STRUMENTI DI LAVORO" ("Work
Tools" Series)
Publishes and distributes the proceedings during
some important events promoted by the Federation - such as
seminars and training courses - as well as tools aimed at
operators within the sector.
Some of the publications:
- The ONLUS decree and the n¡ 168/E explanatory paper published on 26 June 1998 by the Minister for Finance (Managerial seminar proceedings, 1998)
- Renewal of the Lomé Convention
- Microcredit as a new form of cooperation (seminar proceedings 1999)
- Immigration and solidarity: change statistics (seminar proceedings 2000)
- Commerce and solidarity. Contributions to reflections in light of the Social Doctrine of the Church
- Invisible slavery. An in-depth study on domestic workers worldwide
It costs 3 Euro per copy.
IL CAMMINO DELLA SOLIDARIETÀ (The Solidarity
Series)
The book, realised by Volunteers in the world -
FOCSIV with the collaboration of all NGO associates, describes
the main international dynamics relating to globalisation
and interdependence and the experience of 25 years of the
international voluntary service with its partners in the
Southern Hemisphere. "Il cammino della solidarietà" offers
an image of the Federation through some examples of activities
and projects realised by associated organisations with the
tireless work of the volunteers who, in the countries in
progress of development and in Italy, strive to build a fairer
world. The aim of the publication is to sensitive public
opinion and help people to understand the central focus of
human resources in the outline of cooperation for development
and to underline the fundamental contribution of the NGO
in increasing public awareness of the concept of universality
and international solidarity.
It costs 3 Euro per copy.
VOLONTARI INTERNAZIONALI (International Volunteers)
Seventy stories to tell of the experience of international volunteers, to give
a voice to those working for development in emerging countries, who are at
times in dangerous conditions. Produced for the International Year of the
Volunteer (2001) with the contribution of the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and photographs by Sebastiano Salgado, the book presents the international
volunteer reality which is the expression of Italian solidarity worldwide. "VOLONTARI INTERNAZIONALI" was published in Italian and English, and is also available
on CD-Rom (only in Italian).
The volume costs (available both in Italian and English) 8 Euro.
The CD-Rom costs 2 Euro.
30 ANNI PER UNA STORIA DI PACE (30 Years for a History
of Peace)
Published on the thirtieth anniversary of Volunteers
in the world - FOCSIV, this volume was thought of in an optic
of bringing together the different starting points and inspirations
of the international voluntary service to accompany it, through
dialogue, on the road to renewed enthusiasm. "30 ANNI PER UNA STORIA DI PACE" uses useful reading tools to
understand the international voluntary service, its mechanisms
and its evolution.
It costs 4 Euro per copy.
GUIDA SI - GUIDA ALLA SOLIDARIETA' INTERNAZIONALE
(Guide to International Solidarity)
For those who are, or who wish to become international
solidarity operators, this guide offers a series of studies
on the NGO, on cooperation themes, on international voluntary
service activities of Volunteers in the world - FOCSIV and
on the different forms of commitment in Italy. A manual to
help understand all the available possibilities and opportunities
if considering a firm commitment to solidarity.
It costs 2 Euro per copy.
10.USEFUL WEB SITES (the links open in a new window):
Minister for Foreign Affairs
http://www.esteri.it
Minister for Welfare
http://www.minwelfare.it
Office of the National Civil Service
http://www.serviziocivile.it
Italian NGO Association
http://www.ong.it
Unimondo
http://www.unimondo.org
UNDP
http://www.undp.org
World volunteer
http://www.WorldVolunteerWeb.org
OSCE
http://www.ocse.org