Dear placement-officers

They are sometimes called ‘paradise-birds’ in the Netherlands. This is an umbrella-name for people who live ‘at the edge’ of Dutch society, be it homeless ones, people with drugs or other addiction (past) or refugees/sans papiers. Emmaus is an international movement (like SCI) who provides a daily volunteer work-schedule and often also a place to live for those paradise-birds.

At the same time Emmaus is selling second-hand goods and the profit is either going to the Emmaus living and working community or to projects in the global South. In line with the solidarity-mission of Emmaus and those of SCI, VIA-NL is organizing a project at Emmaus Langeweg.

At the moment VIA-NL is urgently looking for volunteers for this project. Detailed information can be found at https://workcamps.sci.ngo/icamps/FI-KVT/en/camp-details/camp-13600.html

Please help us to find volunteers for this special project! Thanks in advance…..

Amitiés,

VIA-NL

Warm Regards,

Stichting VIA
The Netherlands
https://www.stichtingvia.nl

Opportunity for an Internship in Belgium. Are you interested in joining the IVP volunteer team? We are looking for a candidate aged between 18-30 to help out here in Australia as well as being offered an interview for an 8-month post in our multi-cultural International Secretariat in Antwerp, with travel and accommodation covered. The skill level required is quite high (see link) and whoever we recommend for this position would also have to be involved with IVP here before and after the overseas post.

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Your workcamp is waiting!

Welcome to the start of the workcamp season! Workcamps are being uploaded daily to workcamps.sci.ngo and we can wait for you to have a look. Enjoy reading about some of our newest opportunities and choose the one that excites you most.
Make sure send us fun pictures of your experiences! :)

Capacity building and human library in Hong Kong (March)

SCI Hong Kong is working with seven secondary schools in Hong Kong on a Global Education project.

Non-formal education methods are used and activities in these workshops include story drawings, invisible theatre.
Volunteers will assist in running the program, including preparation of food and workshops.
During the program volunteers will also visit two schools to conduct a Human Library in which volunteers will become a human book.

Who doesn’t like to read? Find more details here.

Rome International Soup Festival (April)

“La Città dell’Utopia” (The City of Utopia) is a project of SCI Italy located in San Paolo district, Rome. The project is an experiment in creating active citizenship and local development. Different events, initiatives, workshops concerning the topics of interculturality, sustainable lifestyle and active citizenship take place here.

Fancy some soup? Read more about the project here.

Community life in Northern Ireland (May)

This project has been gathering SCI volunteers since 1975! It is a residential and day activity centre, owned by Harmony Community Trust, near to Strangford in Northern Ireland. They need help with setting up and assisting with the annual fundraising Open Day on Sunday 2nd June.

“I left feeling that I understood very little of the complexities that have engulfed Northern Ireland for centuries. Glebe House makes the need for understanding more about the future than the past.”

Read more about the workcamp here and also a story from a former volunteer here!

Art and culture in Portugal (June)

VILA ArtFest is a celebration of all types of art worked and explored by the people from the youngest village in Portugal – Lousada. Every year in June, the city hall promotes the sharing and demonstration of different types of art. During this month, the local artists can share their work with the local and tourists. This year, VILA ArtFest wants to go further and challenge new artists from other communities and nationalities to create and celebrate different kinds of art.

See more information here.

Sustainable lifestyle in Germany (July)

In the age of climate change and global injustice, we ask ourselves if we have to change our consumption-oriented and resource-wasting lifestyle.
There is an interesting workcamp in Germany that tackles these challenges, explores a simple life by work in the fields and botany.

Click here for more information.

Environment protection in Siberia (July)

Interested in environment protection?
There is an interesting workcamp in Eastern Siberia!

International volunteers together with local volunteers will be engaged in the construction of an international youth camp on Bournina Island in Irkutsk Region (Russian Federation).

You can read more here.

Dear friends,

This is a reminder to sign-up to be part of the EPM 2019 Prep-team. I have received a few expressions of interest, but kindly ask anyone who is still interested to get in touch. Unfortunately, there are not enough members in the prep-team yet to support such a large and important meeting, meaning there is a possibility EPM will not occur this year.

The deadline is 13 February 2019. We look forward to your applications.

Thank you,

Chantal
Chantal Doran
Communication and Volunteer Coordinator
SCI International Secretariat

Belgiëlei 37
2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Skype address: sci-is-communication
www.sci.ngo

http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The United Nations Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 because they understood that it would not be possible to build a peaceful world if steps were not taken to achieve economic and social development for all people everywhere, and ensure that their rights were protected.  The Sustainable Goals cover a broad range of issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice.

Sustainable Development Goal 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” calls for promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

A peaceful society is one where there is justice and equality for everyone. Peace will enable a sustainable environment to take shape and a sustainable environment will help promote peace.

2018 Theme: “The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”

The theme celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

The Universal Declaration – the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages – is as relevant today as it was on the day that it was adopted.

“It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.” — Secretary-General António Guterres

The Universal Declaration states in Article 3. “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” These elements build the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Yet, the Universal Declaration does not include a separate article on “Right to Peace”. This is why we ask you this year:

What does “The Right to Peace” mean to you? Share your ideas with us through #peaceday and #standup4humanright.

In the lead up to the International Day of Peace on 21 September, we call upon all to take action.

You can support SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by seeking  peaceful resolution of conflict when disagreements arise around you.  You can be part of the solution by taking small steps. You can prevent an injustice at school or in your community by adopting a non-violent approach to problem solving and reporting potential crimes, including online bullying.

You can promote human rights by collecting and promoting videos of as many articles as possible in as many languages as possible. Record yourself reading one of the 30 articles of the Declaration in any of the 135 languages currently available and share your video with your friends.

You can engage by speaking up when others are at risk and stand with others’ human rights at work, in school and around the dinner table.

You can reflect how each of us can stand up for rights, every day.

Human rights are everyone’s rights.

Bio-Blitz

Jenolan Caves

23-25 November 2018

Unleash your inner scientist with 3 days of wildlife surveys.

You can be part of the IVP team helping to organise this event.

The focus will be on Koalas, Quolls, Phascogales, Frogs, Gliders and some cave life. There will be several ecologists in the team and under their guidance you will: check for platypus in the morning, look for scats and tree hollows in the daytime, learn how to record sightings, go spotlighting in the evening.

For IVP volunteers will help with registrations and recording of sightings, as well as take part in the bio-blitz.  The work will commence at 10am on Friday and finish around 4pm on Sunday.  IVP can provide transport from Mt. Victoria Station so let us know if you need this.  Other options if you don’t have a car are here:  http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/visitor-info/getting-here/

Cost for IVP volunteers:  $20, $10 for students, includes dorm style accommodation and food, group leader, extra activities and hanging out with ecologists.  You must be a current member of IVP to be covered by insurance for this event.

Please fill out the application form here.  More detailed information will be provided after your application is accepted.

You can also simply register as a member of the public to take part in the bio-blitz on Saturday or Sunday.  For that you register through to the Jenolan Caves website.

This is a joint project of International Volunteers for Peace and Glideways.

ApplicationForm_BioBlitz_IVP

Coastal Village camp
This project is part of the SCI North South Programmes. Volunteers should be 20 years old, have previous volunteering experience and take part in the Preparation Workshops organised by their sending branch. More details from your sending branch.

https://www.workcamps.info/icamps/camp-details/camp-12665.html

Purpose of extra costs:
Inclusion: Food for 3 meals a day, accommodation, camp’s material, local transport within the project period, construction cost (if any), and administration charge. Exclusion: Health and travel insurance, personal expenses on free day, public transport from airport to meeting point and vice versa.
Required Language:
English
Spoken Language:
English
Camp Photo
Description: Bantaeng is located in the southern part of the province of South Sulawesi and has mountain and wide seas. Most of Bantaeng people work either as a farmer in mountain area such as vegetables, fruits, rice etc or seaweed farmer near the coast. The process of cultivating and harvesting seaweed has developed in Bantaeng as an accessible alternative for fishing communities.Therefore, the volunteers will give international support and help this community. Further, on other aspects in education for example, creating workshop intercultural exchange in classes after the exams and helping students preparing PORSENI (a yearly sport and art event after examination day).

Type of Work: The work will be divided into 2 (two) main activities and some additional activities in some afternoon. The main activity for the first week will be in the school during the day. We will work together with high school students to prepare PORSENI (a yearly sport and art event after examination day) and create workshop intercultural exchange. While the second week, our work will be focused on supporting seaweed farm community and help them to cultivate the seaweed.

Study Theme: Multi cultural exchange and International dinner will be held by the end of the workcamp, while volunteers also will have free time every day. Volunteers can used it to talk or learn about Indonesian or Muslim culture in the village or do local excursion. Volunteers will be work in a group to create workshop intercultural exchange and international solidarity/recognition including preparing their PORSENI event.

Accommodation: Bantaeng shelter (rent house), mattress and self-cooking. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Approximate Location: Bantaeng, South Sulawesi

Notes: Bring international ingredients or something small from their country for culture exchange and be ready with many ideas for games and competition for senior high school students and some knowledge about international solidarity/recognition as we will conduct workshop.