international secretariat (is) · 2010-07-09 · jayaprasad kumar - member gerbina van den hurk –...

International Secretariat (IS)

Sint Jacobsmarkt 822000 Antwerp

Belgium

Tel. 32.3.2265727E-mail: [email protected]

www.sciint.org

Antwerp, Belgium - May 2010

Service Civil International is on Facebook

http://www.sciint.org/

Service Civil International (SCI) – Annual Report 2009 2

Acknowledgements:

We are grateful for the support received from (in alphabetical order):

● Council of Europe – European Youth Foundation● European Commission● Foundations● Key Travel● Private Donors● SCI Branches● Worldbizonline.com

We would also, and most of all, like to acknowledge the valuable support received fromnumerous volunteers and staff persons from all the branches of our internationalorganisation.

Council of Europe – European Youth Foundation

This publication has been funded with support from the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme’ ofthe European Commission. It reflects the views only of the author, and the Commissioncannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information containedtherein.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 2

Foreword 5

1. Introduction 6

2. Structures of SCI 6

3. Areas of Work 8

3.1 Short-Term International Voluntary Projects 8

3.2 Long-Term International Voluntary Projects 10

3.3 International Working Groups 103.3.1 Long-Term Exchange Working Group (LTEG) 103.3.2 SAVA Working Group 103.3.3 Youth and Unemployment Working Group (YUWG) 113.3.4 GAIA Informal Working Group 11

3.4 North South Exchanges and - Working Groups 123.4.1 North South Platform Meeting 133.4.2 Africa Working Group 153.4.3 Midi Working Group 163.4.4 Abya Yala International Working Group (Latin America) 183.4.6 Asia International Working Group 19

4. Other Activities 20

4.1 Working in Conflict Areas 20

4.2 Peace Messengers 21

4.3 Peace Education 21

5. International Coordination 22

5.1 International Secretariat 22

5.2 Strategic Planning 24

5.3 International Committee Meeting 24


6. External Representation 25

6.1 Youth Forum 25

6.2 Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service 266.3 Liaison Meeting 26

6.4 United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders) 26

6.5 UNESCO 26

6.6 Council of Europe 26

6.7 European Commission 27

7. Appendices 28


Foreword

Service Civil International is an international volunteer organisation dedicated to promotingand building cultures of peace through short- and long-term volunteer exchanges. Eighty-nine years after its foundation, SCI’s methods remain simple, concrete and highly effective.Testimonies from volunteers clearly describe how SCI has an impact on their lives andreally helps to break down barriers and overcome prejudices.

In the 89th year after the first voluntary project took place in a war-torn village on theFrench-German border, 3500 volunteers were sent on SCI s. Long-Term Volunteers havealso been placed in different projects and countries, and there have been all kinds ofmeetings, trainings and seminars organised with the goal of improving our performance asan organisation and as individuals in different areas, one of them being Strategic Planning.

The Strategic Planning Process in 2009 resulted in a draft Strategic Plan. The process willcontinue throughout 2010 with the end goal of presenting a new Strategic Plan for thecoming four years, at the International Committee Meeting 2010. The keyword in thisprocess is ‘ownership’: SCI activists, working groups and branches will have an active,participatory role in developing the plan.

While remaining focused on the original core values of international solidarity and socialjustice, SCI continues to be an innovative movement, able to transform itself in line withmodern times. In 2009, we held our last spring Technical Meeting and replaced it with theautumn Exchange Evaluation Meeting, a move aimed at focusing less on the technicalaspects of volunteer exchanges and more on their quality. The pioneering spirit wasconfirmed once more by the introduction of a new online database for s which also featuresan online placement facility for volunteers, to be further developed.

In line with this, the work of the International Executive Committee (IEC) has become lesspolitical and ideological than it used to be. It is now more focused on facilitation ofbranches with practical issues. IEC has provided SCI branches and working groups withtools and support that enabled them to run their activities closer to the hearts of theirvolunteers. Most volunteers don't want to alter their idealism with issues such as finances,staff management, strategic objectives, partnership, funding, Online Placement Systems,and so on. The IEC is aware that a strong SCI movement is made of strong, sustainablebranches and thus intends to continue along this line. Together with a strengthened officeteam at the International Secretariat, the branches, working groups, activists and all thevolunteers, we are looking forward to an exciting 2010: the year of our 90th anniversary!

Mihai CrisanSCI International President


1. Introduction

Service Civil International (SCI) is one of the world’s largest international volunteeringorganisations and a worldwide peace movement. Our mission is to promote peace andintercultural understanding through volunteering and voluntary projects. SCI believes thatvoluntary work can be a useful tool as part of the process of education for peace andinternational understanding.

SCI’s was founded by Pierre Ceresole, a Swiss engineer who established a peace andhumanitarian movement in the aftermath of the 1st World War and laid down thefoundations of SCI in 1920. From the modest size in the twenties, SCI has developed intoan international peace movement and international volunteering organisation with 44member organisations in 40 countries all over the world. SCI has established an evengreater number of partnerships with like-minded organisations from all corners of theworld.

SCI is open to all. It was one of the first organisations to divest itself of all political orreligious affiliations in its work of promoting peace and understanding through practicalaction. Throughout the years SCI has made a major contribution to the development of themain forms of volunteering. Normally there are no specific requirements for short-termvolunteers, except the minimum age of 16 and the willingness to work and learn. For long-term volunteers who serve for more then three months or go to special projects certainqualifications might be necessary. Volunteers are all the persons who freely offer theirservices, through SCI, for the benefit of communities or groups of people in need, withoutreceiving remuneration for this.

Short-term international voluntary projects are mostly 2-3 weeks long. In somecountries, for example in Asia, they can be longer. The participants come from a widerange of countries and the groups are preferably gender-balanced. The voluntary workmay be on long- or short-term basis, and is designed to introduce volunteers to the rangeof problems that communities face in the struggle for peace and social justice. The workaspect, as much as the social contact with local people, is a unique way of acquiring adeeper understanding of problems that people are facing in one’s own country and abroad.

Every year, SCI enables thousands of volunteers to participate in its work. Living andworking together in an international group gives the volunteers a chance to create anetwork of international contacts. In this way, SCI helps to break down artificial barriersand prejudices between people and nations.

There is a great diversity in SCI’s approach to voluntary work. The short-terminternational voluntary project, which usually lasts 2-3 weeks, is generally carried out inareas of social need. However, there is also a medium and long-term programme underwhich volunteers can be actively employed for several months or even years. Internationalvoluntary projects are our main activity but other work is being developed in a broadersocio-economic context, through various projects and campaigns.

To ensure the unity of and cohesion within the organisation and in order to pursue acoherent policy, SCI has set up national and international coordination structures.However, the emphasis is placed on the base of our organisation: the volunteers and theirpractical work initiatives.


2. Structures of SCI

The highest decision making body in SCI is the International Committee Meeting(ICM), which meets once a year. All the branches of SCI are members of the organisationand they all have voting rights in the ICM. SCI branches can send one delegate and one ormore observers.

The International Executive Committee (IEC) and the International Secretariat(IS) are responsible for preparing the ICM. In December 2009, this important meeting washeld for the first time on the island Mauritius, hosted by the SCI branch Mauritius.

The members of the International Executive Committee, including a president, vice-president and treasurer, are elected at the ICM. The IEC is responsible for implementingthe decisions made at each ICM and it has a mandate to make in-between policy andmanagement decisions.

In 2009, the IEC consisted of the following persons:

Mihai Crisan - International PresidentPhilippe Guillaume - International TreasurerHeinz Gabathuler - MemberJayaprasad Kumar - MemberGerbina van den Hurk – MemberDanijela Juric - MemberGrazyna Pulawska – Member

Organisations that want to become a member of SCI can apply for SCI Group status ifthey meet certain conditions mentioned in the SCI International Constitution.

SCI Groups may apply for SCI Branch status if they have been active for at least 2 years,have evidence of administrative stability, are officially registered with the authorities intheir own country and undertake moral and financial obligations in support of themovement. The ICM grants branch status upon recommendation of the IEC.

In countries where SCI has no branches SCI cooperates with partner organisations.Partners are like-minded organisations that are selected according to a fixed procedure andfurthermore evaluated on their annual activities. Most of the partners are based in EasternEurope, North and Latin America and Africa.

Apart from groups, branches and partners, several international working groups areactive within SCI. When a group starts its activities it can apply for working group status inSCI. Once received the official working group status, it needs to present an activity report,financial results, budget for the coming year, and an action plan at each ICM. The ICMvotes whether the working group status can be maintained.

The following international working groups were recognised and active in 2009:

International Working Groups:● LTEG (Long-Term Exchanges Group)● SAVA WG (Balkans)● Youth and Unemployment WG


North South Working Groups:● Abya Yala WG (Latin America)● Africa WG● Asia International WG● Midi WG (Mediterranean region)

All branches can choose which international working groups they want to support and join.A branch that joins an international working group as a member carries a financialresponsibility for a possible deficit of that working group.

Besides the officially recognised working groups other informal structures are active ondifferent issues:

● Peace Education● Pacifist Voluntary Projects● Working in Conflict Areas● Conflict Resolution● IT Development● World Social Forum● GAIA (informal working group on sustainable development and climate change).

Other bodies in the SCI international structures are the Financial Advisory &Consultancy Team (FACT) and the International Insurance Commission (IIC). Bothmeet once a year and advise the international treasurer and/ or the IEC, the ICM, separatebranches and international working groups on finances, respectively insurance matters.

3. Areas of Work

3.1 Short-Term International Voluntary Projects

Every year between May and October SCI organises its short-term international voluntaryprogramme, often in cooperation with other civil society organisations. In 2009, around3500 people were placed in about 300 international voluntary projects. 60% of thevolunteers placed were young people aged between 18 and 25 years old, another 26% ofvolunteers were between 26 and 35 years old, while the remaining 14% belonged to otherage groups (see Appendix 2 - Statistics).

A short-term international voluntary project generally lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Volunteers formpart of an international team of 6 to 25 people that is coordinated by one or two leaders.The project provides the participants with an experience in societal contribution, self-organisation, conflict resolution, intercultural learning and peace education. SCI branchescooperate with other local organisations or communities that are involved in social, culturalor environmental projects. Examples are: organising activities for children in a refugeecentre; supporting the daily work of a youth centre; working in an eco-village; and helprefurbishing tools to be sent to developing countries. All projects contain a study elementand include intercultural activities.

SCI implemented a new on-line database and placement system for international voluntaryprojects in 2009: the Online Placement System (OPS) (www.workcamps.info). The OPS ismore than just a public search engine. Interested volunteers can actually register for aninternational voluntary project through the OPS, which then connects the volunteer to the

http://www.workcamps.info/


branch in charge of selection and placement for the specific project chosen. This facilitatesin a great way the work of the branches. The volunteers can apply on-line and easily keepin touch with branches. The search engine implements a smart selection in order to guidevolunteers to available projects that are suitable for their needs and preference. At a laterstage, volunteers and placement officers can perform the placement activity togetherthrough the system itself. Finally, the OPS has been built with a translation system thatallows branches to translate and customise the communication to volunteers. The databasecurrently hosts more than 1000 projects worldwide per year, and nearly 10000 volunteersare registered.

Technical Meeting (TEM)The relevant international working groups, the International Secretariat and the branchescarry out the preparation and evaluation of the volunteer programmes. In 2009 the lastTechnical Meeting (TEM) in the history of SCI was organised in Walberberg (Germany)on 18–22 February 2009 and hosted by SCI Germany. The meeting aimed to set up the2009 season from a qualitative and technical point of view. About 50 participants,representatives of several organisations, gathered to exchange activity programmes and todiscuss how the quality of the international voluntary projects can be improved, as well asto arrange practical details of volunteer exchanges. The main topics of the meeting weresustainability of international voluntary projects, evaluation of the season and the on-lineplacement season. Separately, a team worked on how to promote a volunteer organisationas SCI externally to potential volunteers. There was a meeting of LTEG and YUWG activiststhat drafted the idea for a large project on the exchange of volunteers with feweropportunities.

Exchange Evaluation Meeting (EEM)The Exchange Evaluation Meeting (EEM) took place in Budapest (Hungary) on 14-18October 2009 and was hosted by the Hungarian branch of SCI, Utilapu Hungary. Themeeting aimed to evaluate the international voluntary projects season 2009 and to startthat of 2010. Many organisations gathered and brought their experience to perform a deepevaluation of the season in order to improve quality in future activities. The meeting tookplace jointly with the LTEG Autumn meeting. The 50 participants discussed the quality andpurpose of international voluntary projects, the exchange of volunteers that require visa

‘We really had agood time and Imade manyfriends fromdifferent countries.We all haddifferent culturesand languagesand this taught allof us to be moreopen andunderstand theworld around us’

Gabrielle, short-term volunteer,Portugal


applications, and about all kinds of procedures and technicalities. The evaluation of theinternational voluntary projects took place on a bilateral basis, as well as during plenarydiscussions based on qualitative indicators and statistics collected in the last few years. Toperform fruitfully the evaluation, the prep-team circulated various materials before themeeting in order to collect relevant data and feedbacks. Remarkable outcomes of themeeting are: the set up of green international voluntary projects; a plan of action for thedevelopment of the Online Placement System; and the development of a clearer frameworkto evaluate international voluntary projects and their impact in the society. Several ideashave been discussed for the next season, like special projects for disabled volunteers andthe organisation of projects with special civil impact.

3.2 Long-Term International Voluntary Projects (LTV)

The Long-Term Programme is open to volunteers who are ready to serve for a period of 3to 12 months in community projects or in the office of an SCI branch or partnerorganisation. To develop long-term volunteering within SCI, a database of long-termvolunteer opportunities exists within SCI and like-minded organisations. A list of vacantLTV projects is sent out regularly by the Long-Term Exchange Group (LTEG), which is theinternational working group in charge of promoting and strengthening Long-TermVolunteering in SCI. See also section 3.3.1 below.

3.3 International Working Groups

3.3.1 Long-Term Exchange Working Group (LTEG)

LTEG promotes the aims of SCI through Long-Term Volunteer (LTV) Exchange. The long-lasting commitment LTVs make to their projects enables sustained work for peace, both ona concrete level for the branches, partners and hosting projects and on a personal level forthe volunteer and the members of the community. LTV exchange is, therefore, consideredas an essential activity of SCI that is complimentary to international voluntary projects.LTEG aims to: strengthen and improve the LTV activities in SCI; involve more branches andpartners in LTV exchange; and seek recognition for LTV exchange in SCI.

LTEG had an active year: the 2009 annual meeting of LTEG was combined with the firstEEM in Budapest (14-18 October 2009). The LTEG Steering Group prepared the four-daymeeting to discuss long-term issues and the future of the working group in SCI as well asto hold the LTEG annual meeting. From March 2nd to March 8th the`InternationalVolunteer Express´training course took place in Rome, organised by LTEG and financedwith a grant from the Youth in Action Programme of EACEA (European Commission). TheLTV vacancy list was published five times in 2009 and there were several issues of LTnews,the newsletter published by LTEG for anyone interested in LTV-topics. LTEG also worked onthe database of long-term projects. It was renewed and opened to the SCI network inSeptember 2009. The new system is more structured, which allows for easy comparingbetween projects and the information is more complete.

3.3.2 SAVA Working Group

The SAVA Working Group coordinates the activities in South-Eastern Europe, mainly in theBalkan region. It was formed in 1992 during the wars and conflicts that took place in thisregion. SAVA’s mission is to develop peace values, intercultural understanding, acceptance


and environmental awareness through promoting volunteerism and empowerment ofindividuals and communities of the Balkans.

The main activities of SAVA in 2009: communications with partner organisations; youthexchange Multi-Kulti transformed to ‘ Live Together’; setting up the website; setting up theSAVA Travel Fund and the development of Travel Fund procedures; Balkan Trafik Festival inBrussels where SAVA presented Balkan music and culture; a German/SAVA camp leadertraining course in Germany; presentation of SAVA on international SCI meetings; and thePeace Messengers Travelling Project organized by PVN Albania in the summer of 2009.

3.3.3 Youth and Unemployment Working Group (YUWG)

YUWG is a platform for activists working with and for the social inclusion of young peoplewith fewer opportunities. The group was established in 1985. The purpose of YUWGactivities is to support young people in overcoming obstacles that may prevent them frombeing an international volunteer. Many of the young people on these projects are insituations which leave them marginalised and vulnerable within their communities. Theseyoung people include: young offenders; young asylum seekers separated from theirfamilies; young people in state care; young people with a history of homelessness, drug oralcohol abuse; and young people who face economic, geographical or physical difficulties.

In 2009, 13 Youth Exchanges were organised with YUWG members hosted by different SCIbranches and partners in Europe. A total of approximately 360 volunteers took part inYUWG Youth Exchanges. YUWG also hosted two seminars in 2009, in Palermo, Italy and inWicklow, Ireland. The seminars were a chance for YUWG activists and volunteers toexplore key topics connected to their work, share experiences and plan future projects.YUWG organised a very successful leader training event in May hosted by SCI Hellas andfunded by the TRAIN fund of SCI. The training was for volunteer youth exchange leadersand included topics such as leadership skills, social inclusion, working with young peoplewith fewer opportunities, conflict resolution, communication skills, and etcetera.

3.3.4 GAIA informal working group

GAIA is SCI’s new international thematic group on sustainable development andclimate change. GAIA was created at the Sustaining SCI meeting which took place inApril 2009, in Serbia. GAIA aims to improve SCI’s consciousness of sustainable living in

‘I return to my home moremature and like a part ofsociety. I will try to rememberthat my acts, all that I do, canhave an impact on others,more than I knew before andthat we can all do somethingto improve the world, evento share our experiences andknowledge.’

A participant in a youthexchange in Ireland


relationship to peace and social justice. GAIA is not (yet) a formal Working Group andtherefore the main functions of the group are to improve information-sharing in order tofacilitate cooperation between branches in the organisation of initiatives, projects andcampaigns. In addition, the group provides support when action at the international level isnecessary.

Since April 2009 the group carried out several activities and initiatives related to the mainissues, such as following:

- Development of communication tools (mailing list, Blog, Facebook, Twitter andGaiaZine newsletter) mainly aimed to spread information among SCI movementand to connect activists interested in these issues;

- At EEM 2009, GAIA achieved adoption of a recommendation on ‘Sustainable Livingin international voluntary projects’, which calls for branches to promote fourspecific themes related to sustainable living in all international voluntary projects;

- At EEM 2009, the “Green Camps” label was also launched for a few pilot projects;- Several SCI branches participated in the biggest grassroots climate campaign on

24th of October - Global Day of Climate Action and photos from Sri Lanka and Serbiawere used in further actions within this campaign;

- Participation in the United Nations negotiations on Climate Change

Therefore, SCI sent a delegation to the Bonn 2 (June), Bonn 3 (August), Barcelona(November) meetings of the negotiation working groups under the convention, as wellas to the Copenhagen Conference (December). These meetings have been a goodopportunity to observe and understand the negotiation process but also to engage in thecivil society movement pushing for strong engagement on climate change. At theCopenhagen Conference, SCI sent a 30-activist strong delegation. SCI delegates tookpart in many activities organized both on the inside and outside of the conference hall.

3.4 North South Exchanges and - Working Groups

SCI organises exchanges between European, Asian, African and Latin American memberand partner organisations. Placements to Africa are partly being centralised through theInternational Secretariat while placements to Latin America are centralised through theMexican SCI Group, SCM Mexico. Europe – Asia exchanges are done in a decentralizedway, meaning between the sending and hosting branches directly.

The strong emphasis on climate changethis year was due to the strong politicalcontext together with the final stages ofthe climate negotiations prior to theCopenhagen Conference. First of all, andafter having sent twice a SCI delegate tothe negotiations among the EuropeanYouth Forum delegation, GAIA secured theobserver status to the United NationsFramework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC). Consequently SCI has certainrights at the negotiation sessions of theClimate Change Convention such asregistering a delegation or organising sideevents and press conferences.


Every year, there is a European Incoming Volunteer Programme where volunteers from theSouth are invited to visit European SCI branches. They are hosted in two differentcountries and attend two different international voluntary projects.

Several North–South coordination meetings take place annually. The most important one isthe North South Platform Meeting.

3.4.1 North South Platform Meeting

In 2009, the North South Platform Meeting took place from 7 to 11 October in Arenys deMar in Spain, hosted by SCI Catalonia. There were 33 participants, eight of whom belongedto the Incoming Volunteers Exchange Programme and four were representatives of thepartner organisations. The theme was ‘Working in Conflict Areas’. Consequently, commonsessions were dedicated to SCI’s involvement in Palestine and Chiapas in Mexico. Mainoutcomes of the meeting were:

- A resolution for the International Committee Meeting to have a support person forthe North-South working groups at the SCI International Secretariat (to ensurecontinuity and efficiency in the work of the groups);

- Recommendations for the Exchange Evaluation Meeting, like keeping the status quoof separate meetings, as well as improving the communication structure betweenthe NSPM and the EEM;

- A call to differentiate International Voluntary Projects and North-South exchanges inthe Online Placement System (OPS);

- The development of an Emergency Standard Form to be signed by volunteersbefore going to an international voluntary project and other recommendationsregarding safety of volunteers on North-South projects

- Acknowledgment of the need to clearly define what geographic areas correspond towhich working group (like for example Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan,Kazakhstan, Vanuatu, etcetera).


European Incoming Programme: a report from the Belgian branch of SCI

In the frame of the ‘incoming programme’ SCI Belgium hosts volunteers from the South every year, fora one-month programme of discovery and intercultural exchanges. This year, four female volunteersjoined the programme. They were coming from Nigeria, Malaysia, Palestine and Ecuador.

Broken airplaneThe adventure starts with some complications in the first weekend of August: a broken airplane and arefusal to pass the customs. We need one extra week to gather the group and have everyone inBelgium. Theresa, Hanneen, Nurul and Giuliana start their programme in Belgium with a two-weekwork-camp. After this we organise all sort of visits, from an organic farm to the wind park in Liège.They also visit the Oxfam workshop, the recycling centre of Bruxelles, the federal parliament, a refugeecentre and the Belgo-Palestinian association. They get the chance to discover one of our awarenessdidactical tools and prepare a marvellous international buffet for our local volunteers. An intense butrich programme.

Environmental awarenessUpon evaluation of the programme, the volunteers tell us they are very pleased with what they havediscovered about the organisation of our society but also all the facilities we have here. The biggestsurprise for them was our environmental management: recycling wastes, the wind park, the organicfood you can find in supermarkets. They are all impressed and would like to bring some of it home.Giuliana, for example, tell us that her stay has influenced her university choice. She wants to specializeherself in environmental issues. Theresa, who is a teacher in Nigeria, would like to raise awareness onecology with her pupils. Hanneen wants to think with her colleagues of Project Hope Palestine aboutsome recycling solutions in Nablus. Environmental management has become a priority for all of them.

All glowing stars..?We are, of course, very happy with this. However, something is worrying us. We have the impressionthat they think everything is beautiful and perfect in Belgium. For sure that’s not the reality. Haven’twe brought false ideas in their mind by showing them only positive initiatives? Wouldn’t it be morecorrect to show them also the negative aspects of daily life in Belgium? We feel it’s important to thinkabout it for the future of this programme. Shall we also show the dark sky or only the glowing stars?

Going back homeAfter sharing their visions on Belgian society, we get the chance to hear how proud they are to bePalestinian, Nigerian or Ecuadorian. Their living conditions are much harder but they feel anxious to gohome and to share all of what they have learned and seen.

Theresa tells us:‘When I came to Europe for the first time a few years ago, I wanted to study abroad. The cultural chocwas so hard for me that I just felt like going home. I was wondering how I would feel this time. It’sbeen easier but still I would not want to live here. If we could just export all the facilities such asrunning water and electricity it would be great!’

Hanneen tells us that she gave up a lot to come here:‘I actually quit a good job to be able to take part in the programme. I needed to discover anotherreality and take some distance from my daily life and some of the conservative ideas which can exist inmy city. Now, I want to go home and share my discoveries to my siblings and friends. I am not lookingfor confrontation; I want to show them that some things are possible.’

Antoinette Servais


3.4.2 Africa Working Group

The Africa Working Group is dedicated to promoting and facilitating exchanges to andfrom African countries, both short- and long-term voluntary services. In 2009 there were13 branches sending 180 volunteers to short-term volunteer projects in 13 different Africancountries. The main groups of volunteers were hosted in Tanzania, Kenya and Togo,whereas there were no volunteers sent to Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. SCIbranches also continued to develop long-term volunteer service in Africa. The Germanbranch of SCI placed several LTVs in Togo and Kenya through the partner organisationsAstovot and KVDA. Then there was the incoming programme through which threevolunteers from Mozambique, Tanzania and Nigeria were sent to Europe.

The Africa Working Group prepared a project related to staff and long-term volunteerexchange with several African partner organisations. It was submitted to Youth in Action,but failed to get approved – however close. The working group members communicated byemail and phone and had a successful annual meeting in Catalonia, early October 2009 –combined with the North South Platform Meeting.

The main issues the AWG looked after during 2009 were the support of the PlacementOfficer in Antwerp, maintaining communication, cooperation and evaluation with ourpartners, taking care of Health and Safety issues for volunteers, and maintaining contactwith potential new partners.


3.4.3 Midi Working Group

The Mediterranean Working Group (Midi) sees it as its responsibility to ensure aresponsible and smooth exchange of volunteers between the Mediterranean region (seebelow) and the rest of the SCI movement in an effort to achieve a just peace as analternative to violence and oppression. It seeks to communicate and strengthen thebroader SCI movement’s solidarity with its partners and the communities where they work,in times of need.

Currently, Midi is responsible for Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Egypt,Algeria and Morocco. It remains, however, open to cover countries geographically andculturally linked to the ones mentioned above, whenever the need or opportunity arises.

At the 2008 North-South Platform Meeting, representatives from SCI Germany, SCIBelgium and VIA Netherlands decided to revive the (unofficial) Midi Working Group. Theyimproved internal and external communication and managed to involve more branches andindividuals in the unofficial Midi Working Group. Since then the individuals and branches

Voluntary work in the mystique Orient

'This summer I decided to participate as a volunteer in the Palestinian refugee centreYarmouk in Syria. The desire to add something new to my curious nature has led meto discover a small part of the mystique Orient...

I arrived in Syria several days before the start of the camp and thus used this time asan opportunity to wonder around the capital. Three days after discovering Damask, therepresentative of the Palestinian youth organisation Jafra awaited me in front of thehotel and took me to Yarmouk, which is situated 20 minutes out of Damask. Upon myentrance through the big gate of the Palestinian camp, the work and adventurestarted. Twelve more volunteers arrived and we all went to our apartment thatbecame our home for the next 14 days. With the occasional lack of electricity andwater we have personally experienced everyday life in a refugee camp.

The camp was called 'European Summer Camp'. The main aims were to betterunderstand the Palestinian side of the conflict; get familiar with the status ofPalestinian refugees and with life in a refugee camp. We attended various lectures anddebates, participated in working groups, watched documentaries and visited NGOs andPalestinian camps around Damask. Themes were interesting and debates were hot.Extremely interesting was the visit of a Danish journalist who has been living severalyears in the occupied territories of Ghaza and West Bank. The stories from first hand,so lively, shocked all of us.

Of course there was also time to socialize and get acquainted with Palestinian culture:habits, music and way of partying. This has been a unique experience. I highlyrecommend the 'European Summer Camp' in Yarmouk to anyone who wants to learnmore about Palestinians.'

Irena Kržan, short-term volunteer in 2009


have been de facto performing many of the tasks a working group performs.Tasks included, but were not limited to: evaluation of exchange with existing partners;seeking to address shortcomings in cooperation and improving communication with theregion in general; proposal of several new partners and contacts to ICM 2008; mentoringand advising of Bridges of Peace (a contact organisation that wishes to become SCIJordan); informing of Placement Officers and several bodies within SCI on the existence ofthe unofficial Midi Working Group and the necessity to take into account the specialcharacter of the region; pooling of knowledge, experience and resources to assist thebroader SCI movement with preparation tools and expertise, which has led to at least oneMidi introduction and preparation workshop being held in an SCI branch with no Midigroup; expressing solidarity with SCI partners and their suffering communities in theregion; seeking to expand our partnership in Israel; serving to effect placements onseveral new partner organisations.

In October 2009 the group had the chance to meet again within the North South PlatformMeeting in Barcelona. Midi was recognized as an official International Working Group of SCIat the ICM 2009.


3.4.4 Abya Yala International Working Group (Latin America)

Abya Yala is the working group of SCI that promotes and encourages political awareness,international voluntary projects and exchanges regarding Latin America. Branches and localgroups work in different ways or combine and develop one or more of the followingmethods:

● Exchanges● Information exchanges● International voluntary projects● Study tours● Invitation to individuals or groups who represent a particular cultural, social or politicalgroup● International Solidarity campaigns● International, national, regional seminars● Production and distribution of educational and informative material related to the socialand political situation in Latin America, activities of SCI.

Abya Yala had its annual meeting in October in Barcelona, combined with the North SouthPlatform Meeting.

Until 4 October 2009, 36 volunteers were placedin Latin America by the Abya Yala PlacementTeam and there were 2 German LTVs placed inEcuador with Fundacion Chiriboga, as well as oneBelgian LTV in Mexico (with CEMIAC).

Latin American volunteers came to Europethrough the SCI European Incoming Programme.They were Matheus Oliveira from SVI Brasil andGiulana Vaca Mueses (in the picture on the right)from Fundacion Chiriboga in Ecuador.

Abya Yala started using the SCI wiki actively as acommunication tool for its members but alsowith other working groups and activists. A wiki isan online communication tool – a website – thatcan be used for exchange of information andstorage of documents.

SVI Brasil was officially recognised as a new SCIGroup, according to the suggestion of Abya YalaWorking Group. Besides, Fundación Darien fromColombia was accepted by the ICM 2009 as anofficial SCI partner organisation. Aftercooperation with CIESCU in Peru, SCI Madrid isnow establishing contact with a new partner inthe same country, called ‘Gotas de Agua’.


3.4.5 Asia International Working Group

The Asia International Working Group (AIWG) was established in 2006 and is the SCIplatform for activists and branches of Asia and the rest of the world. Its aims are: toachieve more and better cooperation and development of exchanges between Asia and therest of the world through common projects and exchange; to reinforce the links betweenAsian branches and branches from the rest of the world; improve all the projects that Asianand worldwide branches have in common and to look at new projects; and to providecommunication and coordination over the Asian branches and their cooperation with otherbranches. Since 2006, the AIWG established a steering group of different branchrepresentatives to take the lead in coordination and decision making issues. In order tofacilitate communication, a mailing list all branches and activists involved can subscribe towas established.

In 2009 the AIWG continued to play its role in the coordination of the Asia-EuropeExchange Programme (AEEP), providing general support to the whole SCI movement,especially member branches. The AIWG strongly supports the formation of the AsianDevelopment Committee (ADC), which saw two regional projects successfully carried out inAsia.

With the assistance of member branches, the AIWG coordinated the evaluation ofcooperation with new Asia partners - i.e. Dalaa Thailand and Volunteers For Peace Vietnam- and continued dealing with partnership issues in the Asia region. In the coming years, theAIWG aims to strengthen its human resources and capacity to fulfill its vision and mission.


4. Other Activities

4.1 Working in Conflict Areas

SCI continued its important work in conflict areas in 2009. Mainly on branch level but alsoon international level, in the Conflict Resolution Team, an informal network in SCIconsisting of activists experienced or interested in volunteering in conflict areas. SCI’s workin conflict areas was also the central theme of the North-South Platform Meeting in October2009. Presentations about Palestinian and Guatemalan conflicts were held includingconcrete suggestions for SCI’s involvement, as well as some games to trigger discussionabout different views on war and peace among the participants who were all coming fromdifferent cultural backgrounds.

Israel and PalestineAt the beginning of 2009, war-related activities were going on in the Gaza-strip. As usual,several options were discussed on the mailing lists of SCI, from statements to practicalwork. One of the long-term options was to find Israeli partners for SCI, as until nowexchanges have only been organised with Palestinian partners. Several activists visitedIsraeli organisations, while the international voluntary projects with Palestinian partnerscontinued.

Midi and SAVAThroughout the year, the MIDI working group became more active, resulting in an officialstatus at the ICM in December 2009 (see also paragraph 3.4.6). SAVA, another workinggroup, dealt with activities in the Balkan post-conflict areas. Among others, a travellinginternational voluntary project about peace, organised by PVN Albania, took place insummer 2009.

Sri LankaIn Sri Lanka, the civil war came to an end with a final attack from the Sri Lankan army.The country is, however, still far away from peace. SCI Sri Lanka, therefore, continued itsreconciliation programmes for Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, such as the ‘ BreakingBarriers & Building Bridges’ project for schoolchildren in different communities to work onsolid waste management; the intercultural vocational training center for youth; and a non-violent conflict resolution training for religious leaders. Besides this, SCI Sri Lankaadvocates for the rights of many displaced persons in the country.

IndonesiaA new initiative took place in Ambon, Indonesia. In order to prepare a peace project in2010, a study-visit took place in May 2009, with a thorough assessment of the currentsituation. The Ambon project can be considered as a pilot project for how to set up newprojects in (post-) conflict areas.

Awareness-raising/ campaigningThe attention of SCI for conflict areas goes further than sending volunteers to conflictareas. Another part is about awareness-raising – both within and outside of the movement- about present conflict situations. Many branches have organised workshops, discussionsand demonstrations about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in this respect. Besides, SCIjoined an international boycott-campaign against Israel, the so-called BDS campaign -Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions. It is up to branches to decide upon their level ofinvolvement in this campaign, from the boycott to Israeli products in settlements up to acultural boycott.


4.2 Peace Messengers

Peace Messengers are SCI volunteers who organise workshops - mainly at internationalvoluntary projects - to raise awareness about SCI’s peace values. The emphasis is onlinking it to the international voluntary project experience. Peace Messengers created anetwork to support each other and promote the Peace Messengers programme within SCI,aiming at organising as many Peace Messengers workshops on SCI camps and enabling allinterested volunteers to start or carry on PM activities in their branches. The networkstarted its activities in 2008, mainly focusing on promoting the programme, exchanginginformation and evaluations and developing training tools.

PM was active in 2009 with: regular PM newsletters; development of PM leaflet; networkingwith other groups and individuals within SCI; and the publication of the Peace Messengershandbook. However, the main activity during this period was the organisation of a PeaceMessengers training seminar, taking place in Paris in May 2009. It was a success. Manyvolunteers and branches showed interest and applied, participants were happy about theseminar, and most of the participants conducted Peace Messenger activities during thesummer. This seminar was a great opportunity to increase the number of active PeaceMessengers but also to increase the number of volunteers who are active at the networklevel. At least 19 Peace Messengers from 12 branches ran 40 sessions and there weresome Peace Messengers from different branches running sessions together.

A meeting in Budapest in September enabled the Peace Messengers to create a networkstructure, share the work and decide on next steps. At the network level, a steering groupwas set up with 14 members. A new prepteam consisting of four persons applied for a newbasic training seminar, while another team of two persons is working on an application foran advanced PM training seminar.

4.3 Peace Education

Peace Resource PackIn 2009, the Peace Resource Pack (PRP) was developed by the participants and theprepteam of Summer University 4 that took place in 2008 in Austria. The PRP was createdfor camp coordinators and SCI activists that want to give workshops at internationalvoluntary projects. The pack can be downloaded from the Space For Peace website(www.spaceforpeace.net).

Report on Volunteers’ AwarenessA report was published about volunteers’ awareness of SCI’s mission, aims and objectives.It is based on the survey that was carried out in 2004 and 2005 among 500 short-termvolunteers. Seventeen SCI branches participated in the survey. The report containsrecommendations on how SCI can better communicate with (potential) volunteers about itsphilosophy and aims. The report can be downloaded from the Space For Peace website.

‘I personally believe that it is important for all of us to promote peace not only in SCIinternational voluntary projects, but every day and wherever we are or go!’

Lorena, Peace Messenger


Inter-religious dialogueIn summer 2009, Jeden Swiat (SCI Poland) organised a Group EVS project where fourvolunteers were given the opportunity to meet with religious groups in Poznan. For threemonths volunteers from Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Italy acted as promoters andmultipliers of tolerance and they got to see “how the lack of first-hand contact with realpeople can easily create stereotypes in our mind.” Volunteers met with representativesfrom Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and Mormon religions and created non-formaleducational activities that promote inter-religious dialogue. These have been usedafterwards in workshops with groups coming from diverse cultural and religiousbackgrounds throughout Poland. The results of this project will be compiled in a DVD.Activities were also documented on a web log.

International Day of PeaceFor International Day of Peace (21st September) a number of special activities wereorganised. SCI Malaysia, in partnership with Taiping Peace Initiative set up a PeaceExhibition called ‘Seeds of Change’, together with video presentations, a quiz contest and acultural exchange performance. International Volunteers for Peace (IVP) prepared ashort film, a peace workshop, as well as a performance and a discussion on peace topicswith participation of various organisations. SCI France organised a call for French andinternational volunteers to use their creative skills to express their thought, emotions andvisions through pictures, drawings and text on the subject Concrete Acts for Peace. Thematerial was displayed during different events in Paris. Voluntary Service InternationalIreland organised a screening of the film 'The Day after Peace' (made by Jeremy Gilley)with speakers from VSI and the ‘Why Violence’ Campaign. SCI Switzerland planned a‘flash mob’, in order to get people's attention and involve them in discussions. Volunteersalso organised a peace-bench and a peace-tree, to give everyone the chance to expressideas and opinions on the issue of peace. Peace-bench was equipped with different posters,and people were able to decide in favour or against what they wish to demonstrate. CVSBulgaria prepared a workshop on the origin and results so far of Peace Day. Participantscould discover through interactive games how and why international conflicts occur, howviolence in human relations can be avoided and what one can do to establish peacefulcommunication in one’s own home, work place, community, or school.

‘Culture of Peace’ report

SCI answered the call and provided the information on its peace activities for the ReportCulture of Peace. The report is to be ready in May 2010. Aim of this worldwide initiative isto mark the end of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace andNon-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010) with presenting the efforts fromindividuals and organisations in all parts of the world to cultivate a lasting culture of Peace.

5. International Coordination

5.1 International Secretariat

Main occupationsIn 2009, the International Secretariat (IS) continued on supporting communication andinformation streams at the International level of SCI. Apart from e-mail and telephonecommunications it also included updating of the international websites www.sciint.org andwww.spaceforpeace.net, as well as managing the various e-lists. In 2009, the IS developedan e-zine meant for both internal and external target groups, such as branches, working


groups and interested (potential) volunteers. Anyone can subscribe to the e-zine that ispublished every month, by filling out the e-form on the homepage of www.sciint.org.

The IS was very active in terms of external and internal representation at meetings such asTEM, EEM, NSPM and ICM and was involved with the organisation of seminars andtrainings. On the policy making level IS suported the IEC with various topics, such as theStrategic Planning process, grant applications, staff and LTV issues, and many othersmaller topics. In the democratic culture of SCI, with so many branches, working groups,international teams and activists spread over different countries, it is the coordination andcommunication between all these different parts of the organisation that take up most ofIS staff’s and LTVs’ time.

Staff and LTVsIn 2009 the position of Finance Officer was changed into what is now the full time positionof ‘Finance and Administration Officer’, for which a new person was hired in September2009. A lot of attention is now being paid to the practical and formal functioning of theoffice, including legal aspects, practicalities related to LTVs, as well as equipment andoffice procedures.

The IS staff person in charge of communication and fundraising was working on acommunication project, financed by the European Youth Foundation and called‘Volunteering for Peace and Intercultural Understanding. Brochure and meeting to promoteSCI activities related to international volunteering and citizenship’. This project was mainlycarried out during the first half of 2009. Workshops were held in Germany and Serbia andthere was a lot of exchange of best practices and experiences regarding PR andcommunication in SCI. A leaflet was developed and published in various languages, to beused by branches for promotion of international voluntary projects to prospectivevolunteers. The project was financially supported by the European Youth Foundation. Inthe second half of 2009, more time was dedicated to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).Different companies were approached and some partnerships were effectively set up.Outcomes for SCI differ from cheap phone calls and air fare to small donations, or thepossibility of a fundraising event for the benefit of SCI.


The International Coordinator dedicated most of his time to coordination and managementof staff and office, international communications, supervision of projects and meetings andto policy making with the IEC, as well as external representation in Youth Forum, EUcitizenship group meetings and representation in international NGO networks.

Throughout the year 2009, there were various LTVs working on office matters, projects,trainings and seminars, communication, and exchange support. The different volunteerpositions were filled by different people coming from many countries and continents:Malaysia, Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Sri Lanka, Slovenia and Nigeria. Most ofthem worked at the IS for the period of one year.

5.2 Strategic Planning

In 2003, the ICM agreed upon a Strategic Plan for SCI, covering the period 2004 to 2009.This plan was developed and served as a direction for the international organisation and itsmember branches to streamline the various activities. In 2009, a draft version of a newstrategic plan was developed. This strategic plan represents vision and strategic goals thatwill guide SCI in its work on International and branch levels for four years. The draft wasdeveloped after the Strategic Planning Seminar in May 2009 in Serbia as a result of groupwork and brainstorming on objectives that had been formulated in a process ofconsultation with different SCI bodies and branches during various occasions, such as the‘Summer University’ in Romania (2007), the ‘Volunteering in Conflict Areas’ - Seminar(2008), the ICM in Ireland (2008), and the ‘Summer University’ in Austria (2009).

At ICM 2009, it was decided that a special team of SCI activists would work on finalisingthe document during the year of 2010 to be presented at ICM 2010. A feeling ofownership of the Strategic Plan at branch level is considered as crucial and essential for asmooth implementation of the plan. Therefore, the team will work in close cooperation andpermanent consultation with branches and working groups. An evaluation of the formerstrategic plan is also foreseen.

The overall Strategic Planning process was coordinated by IEC member Danijela Jurić withthe support of Marius Ulozas, an external consultant and the rest of the IEC members.

5.3 International Committee Meeting

At SCI’s 69th International Committee Meeting (ICM), representatives of the differentbranches and recognised groups of SCI gathered for the first time in the southernhemisphere, invited and brilliantly hosted by the local branch SVI in Mauritius. In manyways, the ICM reflected the transition period the international coordination finds itself in:

- The International Executive Committee (IEC) was renewed: two activists from Asia -Stephen Nah and Low Kok-Chang – as well as one European activist – Paolo Paganofrom SCI Italy – were elected as new members, whereas Gerbina van den Hurk,International Treasurer Philippe Guillaume, Danijela Juric and Jayaprasad Kumarstepped down after four years (the first two)and two years (the last two).

- The time period of the first SCI Strategic Plan has come to an end. In 2008 it wasdecided to work on a new Plan for the coming four years. However, the IEC anddelegates felt that the draft of the new Strategic Plan needed to be discussed moreamong branches, Working Groups and individual activists in order to ensure that


the movement can reinforce itself and actually move into one direction. There isalso a need for a more thorough evaluation of the first Strategic Plan. This is whythe ICM decided to set up a team of activists (delegates from different branchestogether with two IEC members) to take over the task of preparing the newStrategic Plan until the next ICM.

- The Online Placement System (OPS) was a topic of discussion at the ICM. It turnedout that the system still needs some technical development in order to provide themovement with a contemporary tool to address the needs of branches andindividual volunteers.

- The delegates voted in favour of a resolution brought in by the participants of therecent North South Platform Meeting (NSPM) recommending a higher involvementof the International Secretariat in the support of Working Groups, and especially inthe organisation of future NSPMs. This decision will affect the task division in the IS.

- Last but not least, the new Finance and Administration Officer from the IS,presented both the accounts 2008 and the budget for 2010, which were bothaccepted by the delegates.

Other ICM decisions deserve attention here as well. The delegates accepted SVIT Ukraineas the 34th Branch of SCI, and welcomed three new recognised groups - PVN Albania, SVIBrazil and VWAN Nigeria, the first SCI group on the African continent! The Midi WorkingGroup, dealing with exchanges in the Middle East and Northern Africa, had been officiallyrecognised again, after being inactive for a few years. With a recommendation to branchesto join the “Boycott, Sanctions and Disinvestment” campaign against the state of Israel,the Midi WG succeeded in putting political discussion on the ICM agenda. The evaluation ofthe Asian Development Committee (ADC), established in 2008 for a trial period of oneyear, was positive, and therefore the ADC will continue its work with former IEC memberJayaprasad Kumar from SCI India as the new coordinator.

6. External Representation

Besides organising its own activities, SCI attains its aims and objectives through the activeparticipation in international platforms and networks of NGOs. Through participation SCIwants to promote international voluntary services as a method to build cultures of peaceand contribute to discussions on peace education, voluntary service and internationalexchange at European level and worldwide. Additionally, SCI aims to promote theinternational cooperation between like-minded organisations. SCI cooperated with thefollowing platforms and networks in 2009:

6.1 Youth Forum

SCI is one of the 91 member organisations of the European Youth Forum. The Forum worksto provide a voice to European Youth at the intergovernmental institutions and to empoweryoung people to participate actively in society.

COMEMsEvery six months, the COMEM (Council of Members) gathers all the representatives of themember organisations of the YFJ. The COMEM that was organised in May in Brusselsincluded some interesting discussions on North South cooperation and on climate change,two topics that SCI is also actively involved with. During the second COMEM of 2009, whichtook place in Turin in November, many of the thematic groups were again linked to thework of our organisation. A policy paper on ‘cultures of peace’ was introduced and


evaluation tools for voluntary services were discussed. There was also a discussion on howyouth organisations could become active in climate change during the months following themeeting. The SCI delegate present at the meetings specifically asked the YFJ bureau tostrengthen its work on the issue of mobility, since this had been raised as a highlyimportant matter during the EEM which took place just before the COMEM.

At the University on Youth and Development, in Molina, SCI members took part in differentworkshops dealing with topics like long-term youth exchanges and climate change. Finally,members of SCI attended some of the activities organised through the year by the Forumto prepare the discussion related to UN climate conference. Also, an IS LTV participated ina youth meeting in Switzerland, where representatives of different youth organisationsshared their best practices and experiences in communication and PR.

6.2 Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service

The coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) gathers voluntaryservice organisations and volunteer activity movements throughout the world. For itsmembers - one of which is SCI - CCIVS provides a platform for meetings, discussionsabout political trends in a global perspective and common activities. Furthermore, CCIVSmakes the work and the ideas of voluntary service better known in the UNESCO and theUnited Nations Agencies.

6.3 Liaison Meeting

In addition to the above-mentioned cooperation, there have also been other ways in whichSCI cooperated with other volunteer, exchange, peace and sustainable developmentorganisations. The main focus has shifted to regular contacts with Youth Action for Peace(YAP), the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations, International CulturalYouth Exchange (ICYE) and CCIVS, to discuss main developments in the participatingorganisations and to cooperate in projects and volunteer exchanges. For this purpose theorganisations are meeting in the so-called European Liaison Meeting.

6.4 United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders)

Since 2007, SCI has been a member of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, basedin the Netherlands. UNOY Peacebuilders wants to link youth inspired by the call for aCulture of Peace and Non Violence willing to take their responsibility to make a change intheir communities. As a member of UNOY Peacebuilders, SCI shares this vision and activelypromotes and supports youth initiatives in the field of peace building and conflicttransformation together with other members of the network.

6.5 UNESCO

SCI has maintained the status of being an international NGO ‘in operational relations withUNESCO’.

6.6 Council of Europe

SCI is member of the Advisory Committee of the Youth Directorate of the Council ofEurope, which deals with activities organised by the European Youth Centre and supportedby the European Youth Foundation. The Advisory Committee gives advice on topics


concerning youth to the governing board. The governing board of the Council of Europe isthe real decision-making body for the European Youth Foundation. It meets twice a year.

6.7 European Commission

SCI participated in several meetings and consultations with the European Commission. Thiswas related to the Youth in Action Programme and the European Citizenship Programme ofthe Educational, Audiovisual, and Cultural Executive Agency. SCI also takes active part inthe meetings of the ‘Active European Citizenship Group’.


7. Appendices

1: Finances 2009

2: Activity List 2009

3: Statistics 2009

4: Member Organisations in 2009

5: Partner Organisations in 2009

6: International Coordination of Service Civil International in 2009


Appendix 1: Finances 2009


Appendix 2: Activity List 2009

Month Activities Results19-22/Mar/2009

Belgium

IECM - Meeting ofthe InternationalExecutiveCommittee (Board)

Follow-up; decision-making regarding European andinternational matters + monitoring of the action plan2009.

12-14/Jun/2009

Belgium

IIC - Meeting ofthe InternationalInsuranceCommission, anIEC subcommission

Follow-up on decisions, advise on future strategy, andpractical management of SCI’s own insuranceprogramme for young volunteers

3-5/Aug/2009

Netherlands

FACT - Meeting ofthe FinancialAdvisoryConsultancy Team,an IEC subcommission

Follow-up on decisions; advise on future strategy; andpractical management of SCI’s own finances.

4-6/Sep/2009

Italy

IECM - Meeting ofthe InternationalExecutiveCommittee (Board)

Follow-up, decision-making regarding European andinternational matters + monitoring of the action plan2009.

07-09/12 IECM - Meeting ofthe InternationalExecutiveCommittee (Board)

Follow-up, decision-making regarding European andinternational matters + monitoring of the action plan2009.

07-11/Oct/2009Barcelona-Spain

North-SouthPlatform Meeting

Meeting of the North South working groups of SCI.Evaluation of voluntary service activities betweenEuropean staff and volunteers & partners from theSouth. Defining ways to further develop & promoteNorth South cooperation and exchanges.

07/10Spain

Africa WorkingGroup Meeting

Evaluation of the activities of SCI branches and partnerorganisations in Sub-Saharan Africa, development ofaction plan 2010.

08/10Spain

Abya Yala WorkingGroup Meeting

Evaluation of the activities of SCI branches and partnerorganisations in Latin America, development of actionplan 2010.

08/10Spain

Asia InternationalWorking Group

Evaluation of the activities of SCI branches and partnerorganisations in Asia, development of action plan 2010.

09/10Spain

MediterraneanWorking Group(MIDI) Meeting

Evaluation of the activities of SCI branches and partnerorganisations in the Mediterranean region, developmentof action plan 2010.

14-18/10Hungary

EuropeanExchangeEvaluation Meeting(EEM)

Stimulating creativity and innovation, SCI branches andsome exchange partner organisations evaluatedvolunteer exchanges, local projects and planned furthercooperation.


9/12 – 13/12

December, 4 days,Mauritius

InternationalCommitteeMeeting

Annual Meeting of SCI Member Organisations. Decision-making regarding SCI policies and work programme of2010.

9/12 Mauritius Peace Seminar A half-day seminar with the aim of activating corevolunteers and others to organise peace activities

18-22 Oct 2009 Technical EuropeanExchange Meeting(TEM)

Stimulating creativity and innovation, SCI branches andsome exchange partner organisations plannedvolunteer exchanges, local projects and cooperation witheach other.

Jan – Dec Exchangevolunteers in SCI’sInternationalSecretariatcoordinating theNorth-Southexchangeprogramme

Coordination of placements of European volunteers inshort-term voluntary projects in the South (Africa, Asia,Latin America) and vice versa.

Jan – Dec North-Southexchangeprogramme

European and non-European volunteers active in short-term voluntary projects (2-10 weeks) in the South(Africa, Asia, Latin America) and from the South inEurope. An intensive inter-cultural exchange is part ofthe programme.

Jan – DecEurope wide

Thematic WorkingGroups on PeaceEducation andvolunteer work inconflict areas

This working group supports the level in which localvolunteers can be active for peace by supporting the“Peace Education Group” of SCI that promotes the useof peace-focused education techniques duringexchanges. The volunteers will also contribute to thedevelopment of trainings and publications related topeace education and working in conflict areas.

20-25/05Greece

Youth ExchangesLeaders Trainingon social inclusion

To ensure proper training for young people who will actas leaders in multilateral exchanges with disadvantagedyouth.

2-6/12Ireland

Autumn meetingYouth andUnemploymentWorking Group,Autumn meeting

Meeting of the working group of SCI dealing with socialinclusion. Evaluation of multi-lateral exchange projectsand sheltered placements. Developing these kind ofactivities for the next year.

15-19/04Italy

Spring Meeting

YUWG

Evaluation of YUWG activities and development of actionplan 2010.

March, 6 days,Italy

“InternationalVolunteer Express”Training for Long-Term Volunteersactive in PlacingVolunteers inProjects

Every year SCI branches use long-term office volunteershelping with the placement of volunteers, leading workcamps, organising training sessions for new volunteers,etc. The aim of this training is to provide thesevolunteers with appropriate skills and prepare them forthe voluntary service period.


Jan-JulyEurope wide, withsessions inGermany andBelgium

Training on PR andcommunication.Dissemination ofbrochure onvolunteering forpeace andinterculturalunderstanding

The training aimed at capacity building of internationalvolunteers, SCI branches and other like-minded civilsociety organisations in the use of PR andcommunication tools in promoting ‘volunteering forpeace’ amongst youth in Europe.

Jan-Oct, 9 months Preparation anddisseminationof publication onPeace Messengerspromoting peace involuntary projects

SCI’s Strategic Plan aims to raise the awareness ofvolunteers on peace issues. In order to achieve thiscore volunteers have been prepared to becomemultipliers on peace education techniques. Thevolunteers will introduce peace topics and techniques tointernational groups and stimulate them to organisepeace related projects themselves.

21 OctBelgium

European LiaisonMeeting ofvoluntaryexchangeorganisations

Meeting of SCI with other umbrella organisations activein the field of international youth projects (CCIVS, YAP,Alliance, AVSO, and ICYE). Evaluation of experienceswith the European Citizenship and Youth in Actionprogrammes (projects, operating grants), exchange ofevaluation results and planning of themes, projects andexchanges in Europe.

June, 5 days,France

Peace Messengersmultipliers training

Activists shared practices on delivery of non-formalpeace education in volunteering projects throughout theyear 2009. The meeting focused on transferringknowledge and skills, and on defining a commonapproach to develop and implement this area of work inSCI systematically.

October, 6 days,Bulgaria

Long-TermExchange WorkingGroup (LTEG)Annual Training

Training to promote local and international volunteeringas a tool for development of local communities anddemocracy at the grass root level.

May, 6 days,Serbia

„Training course:Strategicdimensions ofvolunteering”.

Main result of this training event was the draft of theSCI Strategic Plan 2010-2013, including sub strategies.The training also aimed to strengthen both staff andvolunteers to gain knowledge and skills regardingstrategic planning.

September 2009, 6days, Macedonia

Annual SAVAWorking GroupMeeting

Evaluation of the summer activities of SCI branches andpartner organisations in South East Europe,development of 2010 action plan.


Appendix 3: Statistics 2009

SCI Statistics 2009 - Volunteers sent by SCI Branches by age

16-1

7 (2

%)

unkn

own 3%

over 6

5 0%

45-6

5 3%

36-4

5 5%

26-3

5 26

%

18-2

5 60

%

child

ren

1%

children

16-17

18-25

26-35

36-45

45-65

over 65

unknown

SCI Statistics 2009 - Volunteers in camps bySCI Branches by gender

male31%

female69%


SCI Statistics 2009 - Themes of SCI workcamps

10% 1% 6%

9%

12%

31%

1%

11%

14%2% 3%

1. Antifascism,antiracism, refugees, minorities 2. North South Solidarity

3. Peace and disarmament 4. Disabilities

5. Children, teens, elderly people 6. Environment

7. Sexuality and gender 8. Socially disadvantaged

9. Arts, culture, local history 10. Ideology and spirituality

11. Other camps

SCI Statistics 2009 - Volunteers sent bySCI Branches by status

54%

4%16%

1%

25%

students

employed

unemployed

other

unknown


Appendix 4: Member Organisations in 2009

(In alphabetical order)

IVP AustraliaSCI AustriaSCI BangladeshNew Group SCI BelarusSCI BelgiumVIA BelgiumCVS BulgariaVolunteers Centre ZagrebKVT FinlandSCI FranceSCI France Région NordSCI GermanyIVS Great BritainSCI HellasUTILAPU HungarySCI IndiaVSI IrelandSCI ItalySCI JapanSCI MalaysiaSVI MauritiusCEMIAC- Cochitlehua Centro Mexicano de IntercambiosAVI MoldovaSCI NepalVIA NetherlandsIVS Northern IrelandID NorwaySCI PakistanSCI PolandSCI RomaniaVolunteers’ Centre of VodjvodinaZavod Voluntariat SCI SloveniaSCI South KoreaSCI CatalunyaSCI MadridSCI Sri LankaIAL SwedenSCI SwitzerlandSVIT UkraineSCI-IVS USASCI-IVS USA – LTV Office (this is NOT a branch of SCI!)


Appendix 5: Partner Organisations in 2009

(in alphabetical order & categorized according to region)

Sub-Saharan Africa:AJUDE (Associação Juvenil Para o Desenvolvimento do Voluntariado em Moçambique)ASTOVOT (Association Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail)BWA (Botswana Workcamps Association)DUNIA Arts et Cultures - Ivory CoastFenagie- pêche – SenegalLes Ententes – SenegalKVDA (Kenya Voluntary Development Association)VWAN (Voluntary International voluntary projects Association of Nigeria)VWASL (Voluntary International voluntary projects Association of Sierra Leone)UJFraD (Union de la Jeunesse Fraternelle de Diébougou)(UVIKIUTA) Ushirika Wa Vijana Wa Kikiristo Wa Uzalishaji - TanzaniaUVDA (Uganda Voluntary Development Association)Youth Association of Zambia (YAZ)ZWA Zimbabwe International voluntary project AssociationVOLU (Voluntary International voluntary project Association of Ghana)Lesotho International voluntary projects Association

Europe:Projekte Vullnetare Nderkombetare (PVN) – AlbaniaHUJ ArmeniaAYAFE AzerbaijanYouth Centre @ LivnoINEX-SDA - Czech RepublicDUHA Association - Czech RepublicMS (Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke) – DanmarkEST-YES EstoniaYGE (Young Georgians for Europe) - GeorgiaVJF (Vereinigung Junger Freiwilliger) – GermanyMS DK – GreenlandWF IcelandSEEDS SEE beyond borders- IcelandBSF - Balkan Sunflowers – KosovoYouth Cultural Center- Bitola – MacedoniaSIW (Internationale Vrijwilligersprojekten) – NetherlandsIPJ (Instituto Português da Juventude) – PortugalEco Centre Zapovedniks – RussiaSFERA – RussiaSiberian Creative Group – RussiaWorld4U – RussiaVolunteer Center of ADP-Zid – Republic of MontenegroCenter for Support of Democratic Youth Initiatives(Youth Memorial) – RussiaVoluntary Service Serbia (VSS)INEX SlovakiaAlternative V – UkrainePassage Zebra RU – PZ – RussiaSodrujestvo, Cheboxary –RussiaCenter for Intercultural Dialogue – Macedonia


De Amicitia – Spain

Asia and North AmericaNICE (Neverending International Camp Exchange) – JapanMCE Mongolian Workcamps ExchangeGreenway International Workcamps – ThailandDaLaa ThailandYouth of 21 Century – TajikistanIIWC of IPPA Indonesia – IndonesiaNocona CanadaLeague of Volunteers KyrgyzstanVFP (Volunteers for Peace) – USATajikistan Freedom Support InitiativesVolunteers For Peace VietnamIVP Vanuatu – AustraliaVision YouthAction (VYA) Taiwan

Latin AmericaILP - Instituto Latinoamericano de Permacultura - BoliviaFundación Darien – ColombiaFundación Golondrinas – EcuadorVIVE MéxicoCEPA - Centro de Educación Promocional Agrária – NicaraguaAPAN - Asociación Pro Ayuda a la Niñez NicaragüenseAsociación C.H.I.C.O.S. – (Con Hondo Interés Obramos Socialmente) – ArgentinaIDIPS - Instituto de Investigación y Promoción Social del Norte – PeruSVI BrasilCIESCU - Centro de Investigación y Estudioseconómicos, educativos sociales y culturales – PeruFundacion Chiriboga – EcuadorDESCO - Centro de Estudios y Promoción del Desarrollo – Peru

Mediterranean RegionTOUIZA - AlgeriaBaladna - IsraelACIM (Amis des Chantiers Internationaux deMeknès) - MoroccoACJ (Association des Chantiers de Jeunesse) – MoroccoUMAC (Union Marocaine des Associations de Chantiers) – Umbrella OrganisationCJM (Chantiers Jeunesse Maroc)CJV (Chantiers des Jeunes Volontaires)CSM (Chantiers Sociaux Marocains)IPYL (International Palestinian Youth League)Zajel Youth Exchange Program - PalestineJAFRA – SyriaUTAIM (Union Tunisienne d’Aide aux Insuffisants Mentaux) – TunisiaATAV (Association Tunisienne de l’Action Volontaire) – TunisiaGENCTUR TurkeyGSM (Gençlik Servisleri Merkezi)Gudran EgyptProject Hope PalestineTent of Nations PalestineBridges of Peace Jordan


Appendix 6: International Coordination of Service Civil Internationalin 2009

International Executive Committee (IEC):

Mihai Crisan - International PresidentPhilippe Guillaume - International TreasurerHeinz Gabathuler - MemberJayaprasad Kumar - MemberGerbina Van den Hurk – MemberDanijela Juric - MemberGrazyna Pulawska – Member

International Secretariat (IS):

Staff:

Johan Westra - International CoordinatorIngrid ter Maat - Communications & FundraisingStanislas Roisin - Finance Officer (till September 2009)Wannes Van Stappen - Finance and Administration Officer (since September 2009)

Long-Term Volunteers:

Low Kok Chang - Office LTV (until April 2009)Adina Basarim - Office LTV (June – August 2009)Steffi Koch - Office LTV (September 2009)Namil Nizam - Office LTV (since October 2009)Sofie Matysek - Exchange LTV (until July 2009)Anisa Fona - Projects LTV (until July 2009)Lidija Jularic - Projects LTV (since July 2009)

international secretariat (is) · 2010-07-09 · jayaprasad kumar - member gerbina van den hurk –...

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