responsible volunteer travel - what are the issues and how do we address them

responsible volunteering

“making better placesfor people to live in

and better places

for people to visit.”Krippendorf

responsible travel


Having the following characteristics, responsible tourism:

• minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;• generates greater economic benefits for local peopleand enhances the well-being of host communities, • involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage,to the maintenance of the world's diversity;• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people,and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;• provides access for physically challenged people; and• is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hostsand builds local pride and confidence.


Responsible tourism seeks to

maximise positive impacts and to

minimise negative ones.

Cape Town Declaration 2002


Responsible volunteeringseeks to

maximise positive impacts and to

minimise negative ones. Cape Town Declaration 2002


it’sSIMPLE!


SIMPLE prioritiesSafetyInformed ConsentMatchingPurposeLegacyEconomics

responsible volunteeringSafety

protection of the community•preparation

•Codes of Conduct and •Child Protection Policies

protection of the volunteers •preparation

• programme Code of Practice__________

Due Diligence – Risk Analyses

Warning signal : –no policies available

responsible volunteeringInformed Consent

Warning Signal :– quick booking process

community•preparation

•no volunteer placed without consultation•agreed goal for the volunteer

volunteers •preparation

• details of where, how and with whom volunteer working before they commit

•agreed goal for the volunteer

??? responsible volunteering ???

“our record time for arranging a project

is a mere 24 hours! ”

“Projects that are easiestto set up on short notice are care projects”

Volunteer with Cusco Kids – Book Now

“Last minute volunteering in Kenya.

pre-school which acts as a day care orphanage..

Type of help Babysitting / child care,”


MatchingPutting the right people in the right places

is a 2 way process

what does community needwhat does volunteer need

Warning Signal: - would you be allowed to do it in your country?


Purpose

needs of the community are paramountBUT

must recognise volunteer expectations

Challenge :– these don’t always match!


Legacy

is the project appropriate and of

value to proposed beneficiaries ?needs assessments

Warning Sign:- no documentary evidence probably means no goals


Economics•who gets-what-where

•is it fair?•replacing local employment

Warning sign:-pie charts and mud pies

It’s not enough to ask how the money is spent

Ask where it is spent.

Best practise would be to show how and wherethe money is spent for

each

volunteer project

Taking Responsibility


people and places• who• why • how• where•the goal


who

Harold the theorist

Sallie the facilitator

Dianne the verifier Kate the matchmakerAdama and Lisong –representing local partners

Nigel the News Ed


whyVolunteers

andlocal

communities deserve better


How

•no community to subsidise volunteers-a fair price for all•safe experience for volunteers and community•informed consent•no replacement of local employment•leave the knowledge behind•enable people to build the future they want for themselves•a meaningful experience for volunteers•honesty and respect


How do we do our how

•local partners•programmes are as well as not instead of•bespoke matching•development plans, questionnaires and reports•costs•honesty and respect


where

Peru South AfricaThe Gambia

India Cambodia Morocco SwazilandSaint Lucia

Kenya(Nepal)

how people and places design programmes

• Working with the projects, we formalise their needs into a list of aims, with some suggested ways in which volunteers may help to achieve them

• The plan is used to match and brief volunteers appropriately – and inform the discussions with the project

• Volunteers get a copy of the plan so they can see how their contribution fits into the bigger picture – they are also available as downloads on our site

• The plan is reviewed and updated regularly informed by project questionnaires and volunteer reports


Our goal

to enable volunteers and

local communities to achieve their goals

Travel

responsible volunteer travel - what are the issues and how do we address them