Staying Involved

When you have returned home there are many ways that you can continue to effect change. Remember what you choose to do when home may be even more valuable than what you do while overseas. You can build on the knowledge that you gained while volunteering overseas about the situation in developing countries.

Development related study

Perhaps your time volunteering overseas has prompted an interest in development issues or a wish to work in a related area. There are many courses available in Ireland and elsewhere that you can choose.

 

Development work as a career

Having returned home you may decide that you want to work with a development organisation. It is important to learn about the sector and its requirements, and to ask yourself some questions about the type of work you want.

 

Volunteering in Ireland

Despite its wealth, there is poverty and under-development in Ireland. There are a variety of ways that you can get involved volunteering and tackling social injustices while at home.

 

Campaigning

There are many examples of global injustice that are unlikely to be resolved without a shift in public awareness leading to increased political will in developed countries, such as arms sales. You can get involved in groups in Ireland that work for development with a global perspective by lobbying and campaigning.

 

Development Education

You can get involved in exploring development issues through participatory learning approaches with the aim of changing attitudes and promoting positive changes in society locally and globally. There are courses, debates, and other activities taking place throughout Ireland.

 

Ethical buying & living

The personal decisions that you take about how you live your life can help to improve conditions in developing countries. For example buying fair trade products and trying to live more ecologically.

 

Fundraising

Many people have fundraised to help you to pay for your time spent volunteering overseas. You can get involved fundraising for other people to go overseas, for the project you worked with while overseas, for your sending organisation, or for Irish organisations working on local issues.

 

Donncha O'Donnchadha & Ali Leahy at a Comhlámh reception for Returned Volunteers on International Volunteer Day 2007.

 
 

Volunteering Options - Promoting best practice in volunteering for global development