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Indigenous Australians' participation in international volunteering
11 April 2008
AVI is currently undertaking research on behalf of AusAID to
explore the experiences of Indigenous Australians in international
volunteering. Recommendations will be presented to ensure the
Volunteer Program is more inclusive of Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous Australians' participation in international
volunteering
Recent research by Australian Volunteers International and
Monash University highlights the personal and professional
development opportunities available through international
volunteering and the increasing awareness of these benefits
by both volunteers and Australian employers. Little is known,
however, about the participation of Indigenous Australians in
international volunteering in general, and in the Australian
Government's Volunteer Program in particular, and their access to
these benefits.
AVI is currently undertaking research on behalf of AusAID to
explore both the experiences of Indigenous Australians in
international volunteering: their motivations, barriers to
participation and possible strategies to overcome these barriers.
Recommendations based on the findings of this research will be made
to ensure the Volunteer Program is more inclusive of Indigenous
Australians.
A review of the participation by Indigenous Australians
AusAID's Volunteer Program
Over the last 50 years, thousands of Australian volunteers have
contributed to cross-cultural exchange and development activities
through their placements with the Australian Government's Volunteer
Program and there has been considerable research into the benefits
of international volunteering. New research highlights how both
volunteers and Australian employers are increasingly aware of the
personal and professional development opportunities available
through this volunteering.
However, little attention has been paid to the participation in
international volunteering by Indigenous Australians. While people
identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander make up 2.5
per cent of Australia's population, this may not be reflected in
the make up of volunteers placed in international assignments
through the Volunteer Program. Many volunteer-sending agencies do
not request volunteers to identify if they have an Indigenous
background and there is little statistical evidence about
Indigenous participation.
There has been some research into volunteering by Indigenous
Australians, with the aim of understanding: how volunteering is
conceptualised and experienced both in Indigenous communities and
in mainstream organisations; the benefits of and barriers to
volunteering, and the motivations of the volunteers themselves.
Volunteering Australia recently published a study guide making
numerous recommendations for organisations wishing to attract a
higher number of Indigenous volunteers . This research does not
distinguish between domestic and international volunteering.
AusAID, the primary implementing agency for the Australian
Government's overseas aid program, now has a commitment to working
with Indigenous Australians and to actively promote volunteering
opportunities to them ,. To inform this commitment and to ensure
access to the benefits of international volunteering, Australian
Volunteers International (AVI) has been contracted to undertake
research into the participation of Indigenous Australians in
international volunteering.
The research aims to explore both the rates and experiences of
Indigenous Australians in international volunteering as well as
their motivations, barriers to participation and possible
strategies to overcome these barriers. Recommendations based on the
findings of this research will be made, so that the Volunteer
Program can be more inclusive of Indigenous Australians.
Stage 1 - Literature review > April
The first stage of the research will consider previous
research:
- on volunteering by Indigenous Australians, both domestic and
international
- on international volunteering by Indigenous peoples of other
countries
- on volunteering by marginalised groups in Australia and other
countries
The review will include the collection and analysis of case
studies and good practice examples. The results of this review is
expected to have implications for the next stage of the study.
Stage 2 - Stakeholder interviews >
April/May
Primary data about the participation of Indigenous Australians in
international volunteering will be gathered through interviews with
key stakeholders and Indigenous Australians (including volunteers
returned from international assignments) and will further explore
issues raised in the literature review.
The final report is due to AusAID by end June
2008.
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