Background
International volunteering plays a crucial role in building global solidarity, personal growth, and community development. It empowers young people with values such as active citizenship, volunteering, and respect for diversity. International Voluntary workcamps offer a unique opportunity for individuals to embrace their authentic selves and build meaningful connections with others.
The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations (Alliance) is committed to creating a safe, open inclusive and equitable environment for all young people.
LGBTQIA+ youth face additional barriers throughout the entire volunteer journey, including:
- Lack of information and resources: Limited information and resources specifically tailored to the needs and concerns of LGBTQIA+ youth
- Safety concerns: Fears of discrimination, harassment, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity both in their home countries and in the host countries
- Lack of inclusive environments: Concerns about finding welcoming and supportive host communities and volunteer placements that are truly inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals
Recognising the critical need to address these challenges and to reverse the decline in volunteer participation, members of the Alliance network are seeking to explore and implement innovative approaches to make workcamps safer, more inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Aim
This Study Session aims to ensure that International voluntary Service (IVS) projects, particularly workcamps, are inclusive, safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth; to address the barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ youth throughout their entire IVS volunteering journey; and to increase the participation of LGBTQIA+ youth in IVS projects.
Objectives
The objectives of the study session are:
- Gather insights and lived experiences: For LGBTQIA+ volunteers, allies and IVS practitioners to share their experiences and collectively identify the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth in accessing and participating in IVS programmes.
- Share best practices: To disseminate best practices, approaches, and expertise that effectively promote the safety and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ youth within IVS activities, particularly within the context of workcamps.
- Develop collaborative solutions: To collaboratively explore, create, and support the development of new resources and materials that will enhance the safety and inclusivity of workcamps for LGBTQIA+ youth and bring them in the toolbox of change for IVS networks.
- Empower action: To empower participants to utilise the insights and resources generated during the study session to implement meaningful changes within their respective IVS networks resulting in more inclusive, safe, and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth.
About the organisation(s)
The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations is an International Non-Governmental Youth Organisation that represents national organisations which promote intercultural education, understanding and peace through voluntary service.
Founded in 1982, the Alliance provides individuals with a chance to volunteer, whatever their nationality, gender, age, economic, social and physical conditions. The Alliance is made up of 43 full member organisations, that organise International Voluntary Service (IVS) projects on a national or regional basis, in partnership with local communities. Every year an average of 12,000 young volunteers participate in more than 1,200 local community projects, including environmental, construction, renovation, social, cultural and archaeological work.
Documents
