Message-ID: <9602081750.AA24308@strauss.spc.videotron.ca> Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 12:50:36 -0500 From: Bernard Aubin <mailto:aubinber@ORICOM.CA> Subject: Re: Volunteers and Human settlements development To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
At 12:29 96-02-08 +0100, Lim Hoe wrote: >Is the concept of sending international volunteers in support of
>development assistance still relevant, or is it an outdated idea ? If it
>is the latter, does this mean that international volunteer sending
>agencies (VSAs) should be phased out ?
Bonjour,
In my opinion sending international volunteers is still relevant - for the developing countries - for the sending countries if it's integrated in a effective development program and a perspective of long term cooperation. Usually volunteers are working at the "grass roots" and are much concerned with some humans dimensions of development that are too often diluted in the frenetic process of development as a whole (say, business as usual).
But, also we have now to admit that the status of the volunteers is outdated: - in the 60's and 70's most of these volunteers were between 20 and 30 years old, with not much work experience at home; and on their return home they found jobs (in the development sector or somewhere else). - now and since the 80's, in Canada for instance, most of them are between 30 and 40 years old, with good experience background; and on their return home, well, it's now hard to find a good job, so some of them interested in development just sign for a new voluntary assignement, and so on.
In fact 88% of them would accepted to work again in developing countries on a slightly enhanced financial status. The problem is that this position is not (objectively) considered by AID agencies (or NGOs) as "work"; it's a voluntary involvement.
Question: If in the 90's this international voluntary involvement mean really work (objectively) for more and more people, do these workers really received what they deserve?
In my opinion, by now work done by volunteers in developing countries often look alike (or is the same) as work done by other assistance workers, but for 25% or less of the "price" of the latter. For instance a few canadian NGOs now bid on World Bank contracts, same as private firms. Also some firms have signed agreements with NGOs to put volunteers on their projects, leaving to voluntary assignement the "participatory and social work" they have to do according to contract requirements.
Thanks,
Bernard Aubin, Quebec, mailto:aubinber@oricom.ca
>you also wrote:
>Over recent years the demand for international volunteers to support
>technical cooperation programmes has been on the decline. This is partly
>due to the increased human resource capacity of developing countries and
>partly due to the changed environment for development assistance. In
>the case of habitat (human settlements development ) - locally
>based NGOs and CBOs are now recognised as the key actors.
>How can a VSA support the work of these organisations ?
>Or, what are the key problems faced by NGOs and CBOs
>working in Habitat related fields (ie. urban poverty, shelter, basic
>services, street children, urban environment, etc) that could be
>alleviated with the support of a VSA ? What form should this support
>take ?
>
>Does anybody have any views on these questions ? Would be interested to
>hear from you.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Hoe Lim
>Lim Hoe <mailto:hoe@UNV.ORG>