Sections:
New £10 million Global Volunteering Programme announced
29 February 2008
A
new Government-backed global volunteering scheme has been launched for 18- to 25-year-olds.
'Platform2'
offers young adults from less advantaged backgrounds
the opportunity to live, work and learn about life in poorer countries. At the
same time, they will be making a real difference to poor people's lives. It is fully funded by DFID and
implemented by a partnership of
Christian Aid,
Islamic Relief and
BUNAC.
Speaking in Birmingham, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander
said:
- "I want more people to have the opportunity to travel to developing
countries and see what I’ve seen. That’s why I am introducing today a new
volunteering programme to give young adults the chance to do just that."
Unlocking potential
What makes Platform2 special and exciting is that it is aimed at unlocking the potential and developing the skills of less advantaged young adults who wouldn’t normally have such an opportunity.
The scheme will help promote a greater understanding in the UK of other cultures and global issues.
The first groups (of 12 volunteers each) will go to Ghana and South Africa in May. Subsequent groups will go to India, Malawi and Peru. These countries were chosen because of their different stages of development.
Daniel Stone, who is 18 and comes from Handsworth in Birmingham, will be one of the first volunteers. He said:
- "From a young age I have felt the need to make a difference in my
community and in the world around me. I wanted to volunteer abroad but
always felt the costs involved made it impossible. Hearing what the global
volunteering scheme is doing renewed my hope that I could reach this goal."
The first project in South Africa is to build a boat jetty at an Environmental Education Centre used by schoolchildren from townships near Cape Town. This will help the pupils to learn about environmental conservation. Future groups will assist in the construction of a play area and ‘bush camp’, where local children can stay overnight.
Volunteers will spend ten weeks overseas. On returning to the UK, they will go on weekends away to prepare personal activity plans for raising awareness in the UK.
Why should young adults sign up and volunteer?
- Making a difference overseas: Platform2 is an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst young people; to build schools, community centres, wells, tap stands and hand pumps; and to develop allotments, sports pitches and ecological centres.
- Raising awareness in the UK: Volunteers will be inspired and supported to produce videos and take part in music and sports road shows, telling their stories to other young people and the wider UK community in schools, youth groups, churches, mosques and temples.
- Personal development: Volunteering is an opportunity to use and develop skills and talents, ranging from practical building skills to creative media and team working abilities, while gaining valuable work experience in a different country.
- Promoting understanding of global issues and social cohesion: Volunteers will see at first-hand the poverty challenges faced by different countries and how aid is making a difference. Mixed groups from diverse backgrounds will travel, live and work together, giving them a unique opportunity to get to know and respect one another.
- Why we are doing it: It’s important that young adults understand the issues that shape the world they live in – it’s an investment for their future. We want to give young adults the chance to get involved at first hand with DFID, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief and become champions for development and social justice.
Find out more
Visit
the
Platform2 website to find out more about the scheme and to download an
application form. If you would have any questions, please contact the Platform2
team on 0800 988 68 28 or
platform2@myplatform2.com.
Links
- DFID and Volunteering - 5 March 2007
- Millennium Development Goals