Lafede publishes a decalogue to promote responsible international volunteering

International volunteering can be a tool for participation and social transformation, but it can also lead to voluntourism, when tourism experiences are combined with short-term volunteering activities.

Against this backdrop, Lafede highlights the need to promote a model of responsible international volunteering based on global justice, respect for local communities and mutual learning.

To this end, the organisation has published its Decalogue for Responsible International Volunteering, a document that sets out ten criteria to guide organisations and people taking part in these types of experiences.

The decalogue highlights the importance of prior preparation and training for volunteers, as well as of a process that goes beyond the stay in the destination country and includes reflection and follow-up afterwards.

It also focuses on horizontal relationships with local organisations, responding to needs identified by communities and avoiding approaches based on assistance or charity.

Other criteria include a gender and decolonial perspective, environmental sustainability and responsible communication that respects the rights and dignity of the people and communities involved.

Through this decalogue, Lafede.cat aims to provide a framework for moving towards international volunteering that goes beyond voluntourism and is rooted in global justice and social transformation. Read the resumee of the Decalogue for Responsible International Volunteering.