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International conference sees volunteerism agencies gather from around the world

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21 October 2010
International conference sees volunteerism agencies gather from around the world

The annual conference of the International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations (IVCO) 2010 was held during October in Singapore.

Left: His Excellency SR Nathan, President of Singapore (2nd left) with FORUM's Dimity Fifer, Christina Jenkins and Peter Britton.

The conference was organised by the International FORUM on Development Service (FORUM) and the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), with the theme 'Innovations and Challenges in International Volunteerism and Development - An Asian Perspective'.

Watch AVI Board member Sam Mostyn speak about climate change and women at the IVCO 2010 conference in October.

The three-day event saw around 70 leaders from over 40 volunteer agencies meet to discuss issues on international volunteering, community development and climate change.

AVI CEO and Chair of FORUM Dimity Fifer and AVI International Services Senior Manager Peter Britton attended the event, along with Christina Jenkins, Coordinator for FORUM.

AVI Board member and Director of the Institute of Sustainable Solutions at the University of Sydney Sam Mostyn, spoke on the topic of Climate Change and Livelihood / Women.

Her speech provided context to the issue of climate change and its interconnected relationship with international volunteering and cooperative service.

Sam said "[c]limate change is just one of the complex issues that we face in development and volunteerism", and advocated for innovative new ways of working, including new tools, new infrastructure and collaboration in a way that 'joins the thinking' across sectors, communities and the globe.

Ashraf Patel, Director of PRAVAH Learning Voyages, India, delivered the conference's keynote speech, which focused on youth development and ways to include young people in their own development, and of their communities in the future.

Both speakers inspired delegates to reflect on their work and incorporate a holistic approach to development that includes personal, spiritual, community, economical, political, social and ecological change.

Visit the IVCO 2010 website to find out more about the conference and learn more about FORUM's work.

Watch videos of speakers at the conference