International Volunteerism

International volunteerism is a hot topic as more and more individuals seek to make a difference beyond their borders, whether through global service or more travel-focused voluntourism. In either case, the challenge for volunteer management professionals is to find new ways to engage volunteers from around the world. While many strategies can be found in the literature on diversity, there are also a handful of great resources specifically on how to work with international volunteers. Similarly, we've included some research here on what volunteerism looks like around the globe.

International Volunteerism

• The Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service - The Brookings Institution
• Building Bridges Coalition (A consortium of organizations working collaboratively to promote the field of international volunteering)
• Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS)
• Global Trends and the Challenges for Volunteering – Mary V. Merrill, LSW @ The International Journal of Volunteer Administration
• International Service - Center for Social Development, Washington University
• International Volunteering – OzVPM
• Service Enquiry - Global Service Institute and Volunteer and Service Enquiry Southern Africa (VOSESA)
• Vacation Volunteering - World Volunteer Web
• Voluntourism - Pros, Cons, and Possibilities - Susan Ellis, Energize, Inc.

Working with International Volunteers

• Developing a Voluntourism Program – Geneva Marney, Associate Director, Hands On New Orleans @ The Corporation for National and Community Service
• Hosting a VolunTourist Lessons Learned – Hands On New Orleans @ The Corporation for National and Community Service
• Hosting International Volunteers: A Where-To-Start Guide For Local Organizations – Jayne Cravens and Coyote Communications
• Involving International Online Volunteers: Factors for Success, Organizational Benefits, and New Views of Community – Jayne Cravens @ The International Journal of Volunteer Administration
• Managing International Volunteer Programs - Elon Gilbert, Robert Navin, Gary Alex, Eric Benschoter, Anne Cullen, and Ronni Flannery, USAID (Written primarily for USAID programs, there are sections on topics like volunteer recruitment, orientation, and outreach and public awareness)
• Managing the Placement of Volunteers - Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
• Overcoming Cultural Barriers: Recruiting and Training Volunteers for Mercy Ships and Fisher House - Sarah J. Schmidt, Volunteer Leadership Magazine
• Visas for Volunteers from Overseas - Volunteering Australia

Sending Volunteers Abroad

• Volunteering Overseas – Volunteering England

Volunteerism Around the World

• Energize, Inc.: International Volunteering and Volunteer Management
• International Volunteerism Resource Center
• Additional resources