International volunteering is a form of civic service. We define civic service as “an organized period of engagement and contribution to society sponsored by public or private organizations, and recognized and valued by society, with no or minimal monetary compensation to the participant” (M. Sherraden, 2001). Civic service aims for impacts on host communities and their residents as well as for the volunteers themselves (IVR, 2004; M. S. Sherraden & Benítez, 2003). In an era of increasing globalization, international volunteering and service (hereafter referred to as “IVS”) may have significant potential to contribute to international peace, cooperation, and development (Caprara, Bridgeland, & Wofford, 2007). The challenge in the first decades of the twenty-first century is to create avenues for participation in international service and to ensure that it provides meaningful and long-lasting value to both sending and hosting communities.
Project: Advancing Research & Policy on International Volunteer Service
Citation
McBride A. M., Sherraden M. S., & Lough B. (2007, May 24). Inclusion and effectiveness in international volunteering and service: U.S. Congressional briefing on global service fellowships (CSD Perspective No. 07-13). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.