Volunteering in the developing world: the perceived impacts of Canadian youth

Abstract

Volunteers who travel abroad on short-term (three-to six-month) assignments represent a growing trend in international development work. Many of the short-term volunteers abroad employ funds earmarked for poverty alleviation and development. This article examines the perceived impacts of international volunteering in the developing world of 50 Canadian youth. The findings demonstrate an awareness of modest and, at times, negative effects in international development. The primary focus in the youth reflections was on personal growth as a positive impact; thus raising questions about the goals and desired outcomes for international development funding for volunteer abroad programmes.Le volontariat dans les pays en développement : les impacts perçus des jeunes canadiens Les volontaires qui se rendent à l'étranger dans le cadre de missions courtes (de trois à six mois) représentent une tendance croissante du travail de développement international. Nombre de ces volontaires à court terme emploient des fonds assignés à l'atténuation de la pauvreté et au développement. Cet article examine les impacts perçus du volontariat à l'échelle internationale dans des pays en développement pour 50 jeunes canadiens. Les conclusions indiquent l'existence d'effets modestes et, parfois négatifs, dans le développement international. L'axe central des réflexions des jeunes portait sur la croissance personnelle comme impact positif, ce qui soulève des questions sur les objectifs et les résultats souhaités pour ce qui est du financement des programmes de volontaires à l'étranger à partir du dével-oppement international.Realizando trabalho voluntário no mundo em desenvolvimento: os impactos percebidos da juventude canadense Tem havido uma tendência crescente de voluntários que viajam para o exterior em missões de curto prazo (três a seis meses) no trabalho de desenvolvimento internacional. Muitos dos voluntários que atuam no curto prazo no exterior empregam a dotação de fundos para redução da pobreza e desenvolvimento. Este artigo examina os impactos percebidos do trabalho voluntário internacional no mundo em desenvolvimento de 50 jovens canadenses. Os resultados mostram uma conscientização de efeitos modestos e, às vezes, negativos no desenvolvimento internacional. O principal enfoque nas reflexões dos jovens foi sobre o crescimento pessoal como um impacto positivo; levantando, então, questões sobre os objetivos e resultados desejados para o financiamento de desenvolvimento internacional para programas de voluntários no exterior. 44Ser voluntario en países en desarrollo: percepciones de jóvenes canadienses Es cada vez más común que los voluntarios que trabajan para el desarrollo permanezcan en el extranjero durante estancias breves (de tres a seis meses). Muchos voluntarios internacionales de corto plazo utilizan fondos asignados a la reducción de la pobreza o al desarrollo. Este ensayo analiza las percepciones de 50 jóvenes canadienses tras su voluntariado en países en desarrollo. Los resultados indican un efecto modesto y a veces negati...

A changing landscape for teaching and learning in International Development Studies: an introduction to the special issue

“…The connections and relationships that might emerge from carefully crafted learning/volunteer abroad programs can be significant for universities, faculty members, and students alike. However, the learning/volunteer abroad programs also face numerous critiques, requiring careful consideration of the ethical implications of relatively privileged youth travelling to other countries in order to "help" (Heron 2007;Tiessen and Heron 2012). As noted above, in addition to the demand for learning/volunteer abroad opportunities from the students themselves, postsecondary institutions have also pushed for increasing international volunteer, practicum, and study opportunities, many of which are taking place in the Global South.…”

Learning that Makes a Difference: Pedagogy and Practice for Learning Abroad

“…As they make connections and gain confidence, they are fre quently emboldened to act. Ongoing research by Rebecca Tiessen (2012), Tiessen and Heron (2012), and Che, Spearman, and Manizade (2009) among others, indicates this is true for students in other learning abroad programs too.…”

How do International Volunteering Characteristics Influence Outcomes? Perspectives from Partner Organizations

“…When asking about development outcomes, host organizations have consistently asserted a preference for more experienced volunteers that can serve for longer durations (Lough 2012;Perold et al 2013). Likewise, a number of studies point to potential asymmetries and problems associated with shorter-term placements, particularly because tourism (cultural, educational, and\or adventure) has been increasingly conflated with volunteering abroad (Georgeou 2012;Perold et al 2013;Power 2007;Simpson 2004;Tiessen and Heron 2012). On the other hand, among volunteer programs with an intensive skills-sharing mission, short-term volunteers have been found to be quite effective (Lough 2016a).…”

“…Much of the criticism for short-term volunteering are based on studies using samples of young international volunteers (Diprose 2012;Simpson 2004;Tiessen and Heron 2012). Opportunities for students to learn abroad have expanded beyond university-based study abroad options.…”

“…In broad terms, some forms of gap year volunteering or ''volunteer tourism'' by unskilled young people can strengthen cross-cultural communication but are also associated with a variety of poor to negative communitylevel outcomes including potential harm they may cause by acting on situations they do not fully understand (Graham et al 2012;Guttentag 2009;Palacios 2010;Tiessen and Heron 2012). Likewise, research documents that ''professional volunteering'' by those who are highly skilled can be effective at building local capacity, producing tangible social capital, filling gaps in services, and forming sustainable development partnerships but may be less successful at developing relationships when performed over a short duration (Lough 2016a;Thomas 2001).…”