Lafede.cat has published a decalogue to promote international volunteering that is responsible, transformative and based on more equal relationships.
The 10 principles from la Lafede address preparation, local needs, mutual learning, sustainability, ethical communication and the importance of avoiding unequal or aid-based approaches.
- See volunteering as a process – Include preparation, the volunteering experience and follow-up afterwards.
- Prepare volunteers properly – Provide training on the social, political and cultural context of the destination, as well as gender, ecological and decolonial perspectives.
- Respond to local needs – Activities should be based on needs identified by local organisations and communities.
- Build equal partnerships – Avoid paternalistic approaches and ensure local partners participate in decision-making.
- Promote mutual learning – Volunteering should be an exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives.
- Understand global inequalities – Recognise the structural causes of inequality and the power relations that shape international volunteering.
- Strengthen local capacities – Support community empowerment and projects that can continue beyond the volunteering experience.
- Reduce environmental impact – Consider and minimise the ecological footprint of international volunteering.
- Act ethically and transparently – Organisations should apply these principles to their own practices and communicate openly about their programmes and resources.
Communicate responsibly – Respect people’s dignity, rights and image, particularly when portraying children or people in vulnerable situations.
This document is the result of a participatory process of reflection and debate involving the organisations that make up Lafede.cat – Organisations for Global Justice, the National Youth Council of Catalonia and the Barcelona Youth Council, the platforms responsible for the campaign “Let’s Change the World. Revolt for Global Justice”.
Add new comment