Some of the big issues that affect development work and that will also have an impact on volunteers include power relations, gender in development, and racism. Having a knowledge and awareness of these topics helps to promote an understanding of the unequal power relations that influence underdevelopment throughout the world. While overseas, volunteers are likely to encounter these issues, all of which can have complex effects on the host communities. In this section, we will explore these issues further and look at why it is important for volunteers to consider them.
As well as having some knowledge of the larger forces that are shaping structures and institutions worldwide, it is important for volunteers to know something about the history of volunteering throughout the ages. Today’s international volunteers will rarely be entering into a situation that is not in some ways defined or affected by the past actions of people from developed countries.
“Volunteering overseas allows you to learn more about the actual structures and agents that help perpetuate poverty in that country. This can be done by educating yourself about the country’s history, economy and society before you go and while you’re there.”
Unequal power relations can be reinforced unconsiously by the actions of international volunteers. Whatever your area of work it is useful to be aware of how you are perceived by others, how your actions and words may be interpreted, and of ways you can try to address this issue.
Women, particularly in developing countries, constitute the majority of the poor, the non-literate and the disenfranchised. Gender discrimination may not be overtly obvious to the volunteer and so it is useful to be sensitive to gender relations and the impact of this on development.
The relationship between volunteers and the communities who host them can be affected by inequalities and may by assumptions of superiority or inferiority. There are however, ways to reduce the risk of discrimination in development.
Time spent considering these issues before you decide to go overseas as a volunteer can help to ensure that your actions have a positive impact on the places and the people you work with.