Guest author Terra Borody is a writer and human rights advocate with over 10 years of experience. She currently volunteers with Amnesty Canada’s Palestine Action Committee. Stay updated on her work over on X. Here’s her perspective on making international volunteering more ethical.
With ambitious international goals set for 2030 and a host of complex development crises facing us, volunteers are more vital than ever. Development initiatives of this decade will be greatly marked by the effects of climate change, inflation, and new viral pandemics, among other challenges to growth. Luckily, this generation of problem-solvers is especially clear-eyed about these challenges and may be better informed than any generation prior. But the abundance of available information doesn’t always help to guide volunteers on how to worth ethically. If we want to see progress on these ambitious goals, it’s worth asking, how do we make volunteering more ethical?
According to a recent study from Deloitte, the highest core values of millennials and Gen Z include social justice and personal responsibility. During the pandemic, more than half of millennials surveyed donated to charities and 44% chose the organizations they work with based on personal ethics. This can translate to a highly proactive, engaged civil society, and it’s a promising sign for the future. But to enact real social change, we need to reflect on our methods of volunteering and prevent practices that cause more harm than good.
So, how can we make volunteering more ethical? Volunteering (especially when done abroad) can go awry for many reasons; a lack of training, unclear instructions, or a lack of transparency between the organization and the local community. It all starts with asking the right questions about the organization with whom you’ll be working.
Transparency – Research how your organization uses funds
Use tools like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to learn more about how the organization you’re interested in allocates funds. These sites will give you a better idea about whether they’re transparent and accountable with spending, and what they prioritize. For example, you may find that they pay executives a disproportionate amount, or maybe their administrative costs are higher than most others. Sometimes the ‘80-20 principle’ is referenced to signify that a charity or nonprofit should aim to spend about 20% of their funds on administrative costs. Charity Navigator uses the Star Rating System for its financial health and accountability and transparency.
Partnership – How do they collaborate with the community they serve?
It’s important to see yourself as a partner, working in collaboration rather than working for the local community. This applies to you as an individual and to the broader organization. How long have they been stationed in this community? Do they hire local experts, or fill most positions with less experienced volunteers from abroad? How frequently are volunteers arriving? Usually, there are skilled workers available locally. Some NGOs are open and honest about using volunteers in these cases, but they’ve established an agreement with the local residents that’s mutually beneficial. You might ask about what sort of feedback your NGO is getting from the community and how often they do consultations with local leaders. The most impactful projects are usually those started by individuals at the grassroots level who work with partners to expand their reach.
Accountability – Know the consequences of your work.
Voluntourism has become the topic of important discussions around international development. Often, a key characteristic of voluntourism is that the development ‘problem’ (what the project aims to address) is perpetuated because the project is designed to meet the needs of the volunteers at the expense of providing a real solution. This can happen when an organization depends on the funds paid by Westerners to go abroad for a unique volunteer experience. To get a sense for the progress made, you might ask how long volunteers have been working on the specific project, and what stage it’s at. If possible, it’s always a great idea to speak with a past volunteer about their experience interacting with people living in the community.
Ideally, a sustainable project should involve local people in high-level decision making processes and utilize local talent wherever possible. If the whole team is composed of international volunteers, ask yourself, who’s bringing the expertise and would local staff be better suited for the project? A recurring example of this is in building projects involving young students without technical training. Here’s one story that illustrates the potential harm of an inexperienced volunteer team. Always consider whether you’re using more resources than you’re offering.
Most importantly, don’t make assumptions! Try to be open to learning from people in the local community without taking up too much of their time and resources. Working in partnership also means learning the local customs. Ask the staff at your organization about body language, customs of dress, etiquette and other gestures that show your respect for the culture you’re working in. Following these tips will be greatly appreciated by your colleagues, help you build relationships, and earn you respect as an international volunteer.
You may also find this post interesting: 10 Reasons NOT to Volunteer Abroad.
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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.