Chagpori RGM Trust Shri Jasnath Asan CORD
VIE- Volunteers' Intercultural Experience
Intercultural competencies - an asset for a career?
The NAMO
VIE - programme offers the possibility for in-depth
experience
In today's society, there is an increasing demand for competence in
intercultural relations. In management, teaching, social work and
health care, tourism and many other professional fields, intercultural
skills have become
an essential asset for a job career. Gaining competencies in
intercultural communication as well as knowledge, understanding and
empathy for those with socially and culturally very different
backgrounds certainly exceeds a course in "business knigge" as it
implies a
deeper understanding of the rich history, culture and social system of
different societies as well as the competence to deal with cultural
diversity in everyday communication.
NAMO designs social projects with the help of intercultural teams of
free lanced specialists or volunteers and Indian partners. The projects
facilitate self-help processes with the stakeholders. The active
participation of volunteers in project development is possible due to a
formative evaluation process that directs the project progression
wherever possible.
Intercultural exchange is the main feature of these projects. I believe
that in intercultural settings, learning is a mutual process. I do not
assign students or professionals to help the needy but individuals with
a world-view and skills that can be helpful to others and who offer
their own in return. Apart from getting the opportunity to train in
intercultural communication and cooperation, volunteers have the chance
to learn from person to person attitudes towards life that are new and
challenging for them and will motivate the contemplation about their
own cultural values.
NAMO' Projekte offers VIE, a volunteers' service programme, designing
and
planning each assignment according to the needs and interests of the
volunteer as well as the hosting community. The common features are a
thorough preparatory training in
Switzerland, regular coaching from Switzerland during the field
assignment, round-up meetings and possibilities for social networking
for the returnees.
Preparatory training module:
detailed information about the hosting society
job-specific preparation for the actual assignment
dealing with cultural differences
intercultural communication & conflict solving strategies
working with translators
During the assignment:
focus on orientation about the local hosting organisation and
communities
introduction to your assignment
related field exposures
coaching from Switzerland by mobile, text message and e-mail
communication
weekly meetings of the volunteers and the local project management
regular meetings of the local stakeholder groups that are involved with
your assignment
possibility to share your experiences with friends and other volunteers
in a blog
For the returnees:
a final review at a round-up meeting in Switzerland
a personal job certificate
possibility to become an expert advising new volunteers in an internet
forum,
possible involvement in a think-tank for future project ideas
a yearly social event for former volunteers
Please send your e-mail application to:
Ursa Vogel
NAMO' Interkulturelle Projekte GmbH
ursa.vogel@namo-projekte.ch
