SERVE

BACKGROUND

SERVE is an overseas development and volunteering organisation committed to tackling poverty and inequality. Inspired by the belief that ‘Solidarity in Action’ can improve the lives of the most vulnerable, SERVE works with communities and organisations to bring about meaningful change. Since 2003 1,300 volunteers have been assigned to support grassroots development projects in Southern Africa, Asia, and South America. With the support of Irish Aid, other institutional donors, and the Irish public, SERVE supports long-term development projects, with a focus on technical skills training and building the capacity of the youth sector. SERVE are members of Comhlámh, Dóchas, IDEA, and the Wheel.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Covid-19 has severely impacted the work of SERVE. For the first time the annual volunteer and immersion programmes had to be postponed. The landscape for 2021 is unclear, but it seems likely that international travel will not be possible for the foreseeable future. Alongside Covid-19, other issues have brought into question the viability of short-term volunteering. These include concerns about the ecological impact of flying and ethical questions about the power dynamics in international volunteering, especially in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and the Comhlámh Orphanage Working Group report1.

In response to these challenges, SERVE is exploring new strategies for continuing to engage people on global solidarity, justice, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to promote civic participation and volunteerism. Previously SERVE’s global citizenship and development education activities have been closely linked with the volunteer and immersion programmes. A limited number of stand-alone activities have taken place in Ireland, mainly workshops with Cork-based school groups.

SERVE’s global citizenship programme is intended to include the following pillars:

i. A research and public engagement initiative with European partners exploring the impact of Covid-19 on European solidarity and progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (scheduled to commence April 2021, subject to a successful funding application).

ii. The development of an SDG Youth Village at Scala Retreat and Conference Centre, an associated youth capacity building training programme, and the expansion of existing development education workshops for school and youth groups. This will be delivered in partnership with Scala Redemptorist Youth Ministry.

iii. The development of a new global citizenship project which engages people on global solidarity, justice, and the SDGs, and promotes civic participation and volunteerism. This will include a new global citizenship resource/activity plan, drawing heavily from the extensive SERVE Global Youthwork Toolkit and other existing resources, such as the Comhlámh IC4LOP manual