IVCO 2022 Program

Objectives

1. Participants share and explore the challenges, achievements and learning they have experienced over the last two years, including the COVID pandemic themes that were explored at recent IVCO conferences. This will be an open exchange, focused on key themes in the volunteering sector, amongst Forum members, other volunteer-involving organisations, researchers and government representatives and the private sector.

2. Participants identify key takeaways and strategic advice that launch them and their organisations forward into a new dawn for volunteering in development – a new dawn that accelerates progress towards the achievement of the 2030 SDGs Agenda and the African Union’s 2063 Agenda.

3. Participants learn about priorities emerging in the volunteering sector, strategies for navigating a changing and uncertain environment, and the role volunteering standards can play as we address those priorities.

*Organisations wishing to host parallel conversations during lunch breaks or evenings should contact the IVCO 2022 organisation committee at ivco2022@ibcr.org. Requests will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

Click on the title for more information

Welcome Day

10:00am - 12:00pm // 2:00pm-5:00pm

Registration

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

The registration desk will be open for delegates to collect your name badge and program before the official start of the conference.

12:00-2:00 pm

Forum Heads of Agency Meeting

Room: Nelson Mandela 2

Nick Ockenden will present the findings of Forum’s Collective Strategy Process and lead a conversation among the heads of Forum member organisations on its findings, and what it means for the future of our sector.

This meeting is in-person only and is open to the CEOs of Forum member organisations. If the CEO is not able to attend, they may nominate a representative.

5:00pm-7:00 pm

Welcoming Cocktail

Second Bar

All conference participants are invited to join in the official conference cocktail to meet each other.

Looking Back & Reimagining the Future

9:00-9:45 am

Registration

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

10:00-10:45 am

IVCO Opening Ceremony

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

10:45-11:15 am

Coffee Break

Networking Time

11:15-12:30 pm

Reimagining the Future of Volunteering in Development

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

As a sector, what have we learned from the experience of the last two years?

This session will introduce the findings of Forum’s Collective Strategy Process, which in recent months has brought Forum members together to help them better understand the opportunities and challenges they face, and to plot a strategic path for the next five years.

This conversation will also draw on learning from recent IVCO conferences on Volunteering for Climate Action and Inclusive Volunteering for Global Equality and set the scene for conversations on the future of volunteering in development.

Speakers: Nick Ockenden, Yann Delaunay

Facilitator: Martin Causin

12:30-2:00 pm

Lunch

12:45-1:45 pm

Forum Intergovernmental Meeting

Room: Léopold Sedar Senghor

This meeting will bring together representatives of governments and state agencies to discuss issues of common interest over lunch. Participation in the meeting is by invitation only. If you are interested in attending,

1:00-1:45 pm

Side Event presented by CECI - Innovative practices from volunteers in Senegal

Room: Nelson Mandela 2

This event will focus on CECI’s innovative volunteering practices. From innovations in volunteer management to recruitment (organisational and technical aspects) and volunteers’ training – pre- and post-assignment and pre-departure for universal and academic volunteers who come to Senegal for the first time. Former and current volunteers experiences will be shared as well as different innovative practices.

2:00-3:00 pm

The Sustainable Development Goals and Volunteering in Development

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

Imagining ourselves in 2030, volunteering efforts continue to greatly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, and we are well on our way to achieving the African Union’s 2063 Agenda.

In this space, presenters and conference delegates will take part in an open exchange of ideas on how our sector can help to create this vision of the future.

What have volunteers, and the organisations that support them, done to contribute to the achievement of these goals? And how do we, as a sector, realise this vision?
What is working well, what needs to stop, what new opportunities exist, and what new collaborations can be formed?

Speakers: Musa Naroro, Devothla Mlay, Tapiwa Kamuruko, Rebecca Tiessen

Facilitator: Erin Bateman

3:00-3:15 pm

Break

3:15-4:30 pm

The Role of Volunteering Standards in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

In this new dawn of volunteering in development, what is the role of standards at the global, regional, national, and organisational levels?

In this session, panelists will share learnings from the Global Volunteering Standard, the African Union Continental Volunteering Standards and national and organisational standards.

Panellists will explore the links and interdependencies between these standards, and how they fit together and make sense for organisations that aim to adhere to them.
How can standards promote and support more inclusive volunteering in development?
How can we better leverage standards to achieve our shared development goals?

Speakers: Daniel Adunga, Georges Armand Deguenonvo, Rahim Hassanali
Facilitator: Lucie Morillon

4:30-4:40 pm

Break

4:40-5:10 pm

Collaborative Activity – The Mural

Room: In front of Nelson Mandela 1

An interactive exercise led by a facilitator in which delegates contribute to a shared mural. The creation of the mural asks what we hope to achieve, as organisations as a sector, in the coming years.

This will be one of many opportunities throughout the conference to contribute to this mural.

5:30-7:00pm

Forum Annual Meeting

Room: Nelson Mandela 3

Forum’s Annual Meeting will include updates on Forum’s working groups and other activities, discussion of our future plans, and elections to the Forum Board. The meeting is open to all delegates from Forum Member organisations.

Where Do We Go From Here?

8:30-9:15 am- Side Event presented by CUSO - optional

Side Event

Room: Nelson Mandela 2

8:45-9:15 am - Introduction of the Day

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

9:30-10:30 am

Session A - Beyond New Volunteer Modalities

Room: Nelson Mandela 3

This workshop will explore the evolution of volunteer modalities, and the ways in which different modalities are combined in hybrid programmes.

In sharing their experiences of innovative volunteer modalities, speakers will explore how these ways of working have changed as a result of the COVID pandemic, the relative strengths and weaknesses of new approaches that organisations have adopted in response to COVID, and which of them they think will outlast the pandemic.

Where do skilled, long-term international volunteers fit into the new volunteering landscape?
How should we consider the principle of reciprocity in volunteering, and how practical is it for international volunteer cooperation organisations to implement reciprocal approaches?
What have we learned from programs that combine different types of volunteers? Are these hybrid models the future of responsible and impactful volunteering? And what is next for models of volunteering?

Speakers: Alok Rath, Babacar Samb, Scott Beale, Romanus Mtung’e

Facilitators: Matt Baillie Smith, Samuel Turay

Session B - Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability

Room: Léopold Sedar Senghor

Picking up on our conversations at IVCO 2020 – Volunteering for Climate Action, this session asks how we can harness the power of volunteers for climate action. It will explore the ways in which how volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations are contributing to Climate Action and Climate Justice, while asking whether we as a sector we are doing enough towards the climate crisis.

What good practice already exists for volunteering and climate action, how can we learn from it and scale it up?
What are examples of small actions that have big impacts in volunteer programming, including campaigning and public engagement.
What aspects of Environmental sustainability should we focus on, and where can we have the most impact? And how has Environmental Sustainability informed public engagement campaigns for volunteering in Forum members’ countries?

Speakers: Lily Adjoa Elolo Bright, Benjamin Lough, Prosper Burnson

Facilitators: Seynabou Gaye and Pablo Dourojeanni

10:30-11:00 am

Coffee Break

11:00-12:30 pm

Inequalities in Voluntary Cooperation

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

We know that there is a need, and a willingness, to diversify, decolonise and to realise more reciprocity in volunteering. What does that look like, what changes do we need to make in our organisations, and what power do we need to cede to achieve this?

In this session, panelists will address these questions from a range of perspectives – that of an international donor, an international volunteer cooperation organisation, and a national volunteer-involving organisation in the Global South.

What have we learned and how far have we come since IVCO 2021 – Inclusive Volunteering for Global Equality?
How can we use opportunities presented by and lessons learned through the COVID pandemic to enhance reciprocity in volunteering in development?
What do meaningful, sustainable changes look like in our practice, across our organisations and in our sector which will help us reduce the inequalities in volunteer cooperation?
How can we go beyond Diversity & Inclusion measures?

Speakers: Benjamin Lough, Kaynan Rabino, Stéphanie Simard and Emmanuelle Parent

Facilitator: Gerasimos Kouvaras

12:30-1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30-2:30 pm

Engaging the Public for Volunteering in Development?

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

This session will explore the ways in which volunteer-involving organisations engage the public to win support for volunteering as an approach to development cooperation, and for a wide range of other issues and causes.

The conversation will include discussions of the ways in which organisations have adapted to restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic and continued to engage and mobilise the public, including through online engagement.

What have we learned about how to engage the public on issues related to volunteering and development cooperation?
How can we be more successful in reaching and engaging new audiences?
How can we engage people in conversations about the role of volunteering in development?
How can digital communications be used more effectively for Public Engagement?

Speakers: Christina Munzer, Maximillan Ventura, Tina Sweeney

Facilitator: Jean Tan

2:30-2:45 pm

Break

Networking Time

2:45-3:45 pm

The Role of Institutions in Creating an Enabling Environment for Volunteering

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

Governments and other institutions play a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for volunteering, and an environment in which responsible and impactful forms of volunteering can thrive. But what are the characteristics of an enabling environment for volunteering, and how do we help to create them?

In this session we will explore good practice in laws, policies, standards and institutions that promote and support volunteering. We will also focus on the role of volunteer-involving organisations and wider civil society in working with government to advocate for an enabling policy environment for volunteering.

Speakers: Elizabeth Agatha Musah, Meshack Odede, Moyosoluwa Oladayo, Dr. Meshesha Sherawega

Facilitator: Yvette Macabuag

3:45-4:00 pm

Break

Networking Time

4:00-5:00 pm

Session A - Volunteering by and for Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers

Room: Nelson Mandela 3

Conflict, political unrest, inequality and natural disasters mean that, more and more, volunteers are working to support refugees and asylum seekers. We are also seeing high rates of volunteer activity amongst members of these groups.

In this workshop we will hear about the work that volunteers are doing to support refugees and asylum seekers, and strategies for developing programmes that support these groups.

How is volunteerism helping to build solidarity in these challenging times?
How do national and international volunteers move and work in these spaces, offering much-needed support?
Beyond these questions, how can volunteering reaffirm the dignity of humanity, and the connections and relationships that bind us?
The importance of Refugee and migrant-led organisations, the value of partnering with their organisations and how Refugees and migrants could become active agents and leaders in the volunteer activities rather than beneficiaries of the services and support provided by the volunteer organisations.

We will also hear about the volunteer work that refugees and asylum seekers do themselves. How can we ensure volunteering programs contribute to the volunteering initiatives that are created for and by refugees and asylum seekers?

Speakers: Matt Baillie Smith, Dr. Moses Okech, Wendell Wesley, Yasmin Rajah

Facilitator: Syed Hosnain

Session B - The Impact of Technology in Volunteerism

Room: Léopold Sedar Senghor

Many volunteer-involving organisations have embraced emerging technologies in recent years, a trend that was accelerated by the COVID pandemic. Technology offers new ways to bring volunteers together with the communities they serve, but without offering the same connection as face-to-face volunteering. New technologies offer international volunteering opportunities to people who would otherwise be excluded, but it also risks widening the ‘digital divide’ in the Global South and excluding those who do not have access to the internet.

With examples from organisations that are using new technologies to employ innovative approaches to volunteering, this workshop will explore the future of technology for volunteering in development, and how organisations can better leverage new technologies to increase their impact and reach.

Speakers: Damilola Fasoranti, Vanessa Dickey, Rebecca Boon

Facilitators: Helene Perolds and Emmanuelle Parent

5:15-6:00 pm

Side Event present by Northumbria University- optional

Room: Nelson Mandela 2

Interactive games on the reality of refugees

Come along to play interactive games focused on the experiences of refugee youth volunteers. In this side event you will have a chance to step into the shoes of young refugees by navigating challenges and opportunities in different volunteering journeys; and also play with the photos taken by participants in the Refugee Youth Volunteering Uganda (RYVU) project.

8:45 pm - Cultural Evening- Senegalese Night - optional

What Are We Going to Do Differently?

8:30-9:15 am - Side Event Presented by Forum & UNV -optional

The Enabling Environment for Volunteering in Development: Beyond Laws and Policies

Room: Nelson Mandela 2

When we talk about the enabling environment for volunteering, we often focus on the laws and policies that enable volunteering. But there is a much wider range of factors that enable volunteering, and that present barriers. In this side event we will look beyond laws and policies to explore the social, gender, class, educational and other factors that make up the enabling environment. The session will draw on the experiences of leaders in the volunteering sector who have worked to create an enabling environment.

9:00-9:30 am - Introduction of the Day

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

9:30-10:30 am

Re-thinking Financial Structures

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

This session will bring together experts representing government funders, the private sector and volunteer-involving organisations to share insights on new opportunities for diversifying funding for volunteering in development.

What new financial models are possible?
Where can donors and volunteer-involving organisations be more flexible?
What funding sources are possible for South-South and National volunteering?

This session will also address questions of how funding models can support volunteer-involving organisations to embrace new volunteer modalities and emerging technologies, and how financial structures can be designed to encourage volunteers to continue their engagement after their assignments.

Speakers: Raji Sultan, Julie Gervais

Facilitator: Heather Shapter

10:30-10:45 am

Coffee Break

10:45-12:00 am

Session A - United for Common Goals: Strategic Level Analysis

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

Considering what we have heard over the first two days of the conference, this session will use a world café format to help delegates identify high-level priorities and strategies to take back to their organisations, as well as common priorities and strategies for our sector.

What strategies will you bring back to your organisation from IVCO 2022?
What are you going to work to change?
Where can we collaborate?

Facilitator: Wan Ahmad Hazman

Session B - United for Common goals : Research/Academic Level Analysis

Room: Léopold Sedar Senghor

Considering what we have heard over the first two days of the conference, this session will use a world café format to help delegates identify research priorities and ways of carrying out research to take back to their organisations (volunteer-involving, research/academic, government or other), as well as common research priorities and methodologies for our sector.

This conversation will feed into the Research, Practice, Policy and Learning day on the 20th of October.

What research priorities and ways of working will you bring back to your organisation from IVCO 2022?
What are you going to work to change?
Where can we collaborate?

Facilitator: Benjamin Lough

Session C - United for Common Goals: Program Level Analysis

Room: Nelson Mandela 3

Considering what we have heard over the first two days of the conference, this session will use a world café format to help delegates identify priorities and strategies at the programmatic level to take back to their organisations, as well as common programmatic priorities and strategies for our sector.

What new approaches to programmes will you bring back to your organisation from IVCO 2022?
What are you going to work to change?
Where can we collaborate?

Facilitators: Marie-Claude Mercier and Emmanuelle Parent

12:30-1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30-2:30 pm

Insights from Volunteers on the Future of Volunteering in Development

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

In this session we will hear from volunteers about their view of the future of volunteering in development, and what the ‘new dawn’ looks like from their perspective.

Speakers: Olga Houde and Ingrid Adovi, Mame Diarra Senghor, Samuel Turay

Facilitators: Fazirah Naser and Joelle Alijimy Ratsirarson

2:45-3:30 pm

IVCO 2022 Takeaways

Room : Nelson Mandela 1

Wrap-up session and Key learnings

Facilitators: Seynabou Gaye, Emmanuelle Parent

3:45-4:30 pm

Closing Ceremony

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

Forum Research Day

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

*Open to all IVCO 2022 delegates.

Room: Nelson Mandela 1

The Forum Research, Practice, Policy and Learning (RPPL) Group will hosts a Research Day on the 20^th of October. This day brings Forum members together with researchers whose work focuses on volunteering.

The day will include a presentation and discussion of ‘A continental approach to volunteering research – By Africa, For Africa’, small group discussions on issues including inclusiveness in volunteering research, how we can share research on volunteering more widely, and funding for volunteering research.

After lunch, the conversation will focus on our research priorities for 2023, as organisations and collectively as Forum, and how we can collaborate through the RPPL Group in the coming year.’

IVCO 2022 PROGRAM

Objectives

Conference Schedule

Looking Back & Reimagining the Future

9:00-9:45 am

10:00-10:45 am

10:45-11:15 am

11:15-12:30 pm

12:30-2:00 pm

12:45-1:45 pm

1:00-1:45 pm

2:00-3:00 pm

3:00-3:15 pm

3:15-4:30 pm

4:30-4:40 pm

4:40-5:10 pm

5:30-7:00pm

Register Here to Attend