Volunteering Options is a programme within Comhlámh, The Irish Association of Development Workers and Volunteers. It aims to promote responsible, responsive international volunteering and to develop good practice standards in the international volunteering sector.
About Comhlámh
Comhlámh (pronounced ‘co-law-ve', Irish for ‘solidarity') is a member and supporter organisation open to anyone interested in social justice, human rights and global development issues. Marking its 36th year in 2011, it connects, informs, educates and campaigns on these matters.
Comhlámh was set up in 1975 by Irish returned development workers, who defined the organisations principle objective as, “to enable persons who have rendered services overseas in developing countries upon their return to Ireland to bring to bear their own particular experience in order to further international development co-operation.”
Membership was subsequently extended to all those who see their work in a global perspective and support our aims. In recent years, we have been particularly happy to welcome new members from Southern countries living in Ireland, whether as students, refugees or immigrants.
Comhlámh members have always seen overseas development work as part of a broader commitment to global development and solidarity. Many of the causes of global inequality, poverty and oppression have their origin in the industrialised countries and can be addressed by education and campaigning.
Over the past three decades, Comhlámh members have pursued our objectives through:
- providing opportunities for returned development workers to meet each other, to put their overseas experience in context and to consider issues in returning to Ireland and staying involved in development work.
- campaigning for global justice and human rights at home and worldwide;
- promoting understanding of global issues and the cultures of the South through courses, public meetings, the media, etc;
Visit Comhlámh's website for more information on our work.