Topic: Supporting returned volunteers

"Encourage the (volunteers') commitment to act on the understanding of issues and problems existing in the local, national and world community, both during the exchange experience and beyond." Preamble of the ICYE's constitution.

"When I had problems during my voluntary service abroad, many people helped me. I am very thankful to them, and would like to do something for future volunteers in my country."

From the different perspectives of the organiser and participant, both quotes point at the need to conceive, plan and evaluate international voluntary service programmes as a continuum. This is particularly important if the educational value of volunteering abroad, as well as the volunteers' commitment to serve, value diversity, and promote positive change in society, is to be sustained also after the volunteer's return home.

However, while there is growing agreement and understanding on what is needed to make international voluntary service as beneficial as possible (i.e. to enhance intercultural sensitivity, problem solving abilities, acquisition of a new language etc.), little is known about what happens to long term volunteers upon their return home and what is the long-term impact of volunteering abroad on LTVs and their own communities.

Upon their return, very often LTVs feel just as disoriented and confused as when they first arrived in the host country. They are likely to "suffer" from a "reverse cultural shock" and go through a new intercultural experience - this time feeling strangers at home, misunderstood and out of place in the family, study, work and other familiar environments. The "rite of passage" which started abroad continues: realisation of the changes happening within oneself can be as lengthy and painstaking.

Against this background, sending organisations need to evaluate the necessity and desirability of accompanying, providing support and monitoring LTVs re-adjustment and re-orientation process in the home country. Support and understanding should help returning LTVs to channel positively their desire to feel useful, to build on their past experience and to find ways to engage with others in action and reflection.

Returnees conferences usually serve well this purpose and enable LTVs and their sending organisations to deal with issues such as: the relevance of their voluntary service abroad ( in terms of further training, study and finding employment); ways to involve returnees as resources in the preparation of future volunteers or as mentor of incoming volunteers; identify their needs and plan training on i.e. intercultural learning, promotion of voluntary service, organisation of youth exchanges, leadership skills, organisational management etc.

May the IVY 2001 be an opportunity to demonstrate that supporting volunteers upon their return is as important as providing them with a good preparation and in-service support, and that measuring volunteering is a challenge and an obligation for all those who are promoting the cause of voluntary service across the board.

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