Volunteering, Campaigns, Resources
Working in International Development
If you are interested in volunteering overseas, contact one of these groups:
| VSO 020 8780 7200 |
Voluntary Service Overseas is an international development organisation that works through volunteers. | www.vso.org.uk |
| RedR-IHE 020 7233 3166 |
RedR-IHE is an international NGO that provides recruitment, training and support services for humanitarian professionals across the world. RedR = Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief. IHE = International Health Exchange. These two organisations merged in 2003. |
www.redr.org |
Alternatively, some aid agencies place people with professional skills (teaching, management, social work, health, ICT) in posts abroad. Vacancies are sometimes listed on their websites.
Some of these agencies (and a number of other organisations) offer short-term placements of four weeks to three months in duration, or gap-year programmes of six to twelve months in duration.
You can also volunteer in the UK, for example to assist with public collections.
Campaigning and Resources
Speak out on behalf of the word’s poorest people. Contact these groups to find out how.
Keep yourself and others informed, using resources offered by these organisations.
| Make Poverty History | A coalition of anti-poverty pressure groups. | www.makepovertyhistory.org |
| Jubilee Debt Campaign | Calls for 100% cancellation of unpayable debts owed by poorer countries. | www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk |
| Trade Justice Movement | A group of organisations that campaign for changes to unjust rules and institutions governing international trade. | www.tjm.org.uk |
| Christian Aid | Campaigns for an end to world poverty. | www.christian-aid.org.uk/campaign/ |
| VSO | Find out more on the Awareness and Action section of the VSO website. | www.vso.org.uk/awareness_action |
| Rough Guide to a Better World | This book explains some of the reasons for poverty in developing countries and offers suggestions of how you can help. Ask for a free copy by calling the DfID Enquiry Point 0845 300 4100. | The book can also be downloaded from: www.roughguidebetterworld.com |
| Developments | This is a free quarterly magazine produced by DfID. | www.developments.org.uk |
| ReliefWeb | Online resources relating to global humanitarian needs and responses. Provides reliable information as events unfold. Is designed to assist the international humanitarian community. | www.reliefweb.int |
| BOND | A network of nearly 300 UK-based voluntary organisations working in international development and development education. | www.bond.org.uk |
| DfID 0845 300 4100 |
The Department for International Development is a UK government department. It responds to natural and man-made disasters, and supports long-term programmes designed to reduce poverty. DfID publications can be downloaded from their website. |
www.dfid.gov.uk |
