In September, Comhlámh had the privilege of working with the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum) and Northumbria University’s Centre for Global Development, to co-organise the annual global Conference of International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations, IVCO 2024, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK.
During our preliminary work on conceptualising the programme, we considered some of the most pressing challenges that are facing people and planet, and wondered: where does volunteering sit in relation to the historic and contemporary power inequalities that underpin these crises? Through our discussions, it became more and more apparent that our times require solidarity-based models of connection and interaction, which are grounded in mutually supportive relationships. The conference’s programme was developed as an opportunity for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations to take stock of what our next steps on a journey of collective action towards volunteering for solidarity could be.
Over the conference’s three days, we were welcomed to the campus of Northumbria University and given the opportunity to dig more deeply into what solidarity can and should look like within volunteering, alongside 150+ amazing people from more than 40 countries. From the outset, questions of connection and interdependence were foregrounded, through powerful think-pieces and inputs from Christina Frazer, a Gateshead Community Bridgebuilder based locally. Relationality, interconnection and complicity were themes that surfaced again and again throughout the sessions, generating discussions of great depth and leaving us with many questions that will help to support and challenge our practice around values-led international volunteering.
Among the many highlights of the conference – and the Research, Policy, Practice and Learning Day that followed – were the opportunity to learn from young volunteers, workers, and academics from across the global South, who shared their insights and wisdom with great generosity.
The Centre for Global Development welcomed us with outstanding hospitality, creating an environment that was conducive to exploring the conference’s topics, with integrity and rigour, as well as enormous fun. We were delighted to be joined by colleagues from other Irish-based organisations (Irish Aid, Leitrim Volunteer Centre, and UCDVO). We’re very grateful to the inspiring thinkers, practitioners, and leaders from around the world, who travelled to join our collective explorations on the role of volunteering in addressing the pressing challenges of our times.
Our thanks to Northumbria University and Forum; and we’re already looking forward to IVCO 2025, which will be hosted in Cambodia by our colleagues from Cooperation Committee for Cambodia.
We invite you to explore IVCO 2024 Think Pieces from the conference, available in English, French and Spanish. While you are at it, check out the photo coverage of IVCO DAY1, DAY 2, DAY 3 and the RPPL DAY (Research Day) to feel the atmosphere of this great event.