subject: Colonialsim Facts [print this page] The term "neo-colonialism" was recently used in many cases, largely regarding volunteering. Those who say that volunteering is a new form of colonialism handle the volunteer, egotistical, condescending, and lacking any skills or apply knowledge in the local culture, and believes that nothing or wander off in Kenya Cambodia with the idea that they can be quite arrogant What is "help." This is the perfect image for volunteers and gap year students, and the stars the eyes and the full confidence of young, inexperienced, but "willing to try anything," and engaged in the self-appointed mission to "make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate while having a life changing experience. "In fact, perpetuate this image by international organizations to volunteer abroad and benefit from the sponsorship idea that the mere presence of a volunteer in the host community is one way or another "make a big difference." In this context, the argument can volunteer to work as a form of neo-colonialism certainly ring true.
But how is it a stereotype of the planet? Undoubtedly, the world of voluntary agencies of costs can be quite common to deal with this kind of volunteers, but outside of the bubble and I wonder what the volunteer is not a little more aware ? After all, voluntourism is not a new concept. For over a decade, has been widely international voluntourism occur early and even though it may be there is an inherent superiority of the position of the volunteer host community, and I would like to question the assumption that the majority people involved in volunteer work these days (at least in About the outside world to pay volunteers) believe they will make a huge difference in the lives of those they will encounter during their work. I think there is a change in public perception world for volunteer work in terms of voluntary work being old on the trip around the world to "help" to a more realistic look that volunteers involved in the immersion cultural, and thereby seeks to help those working to improve their standard of living.
Not only the voluntary change of position, but also the host of this project. In my experience working with local projects, the coordinators are increasingly aware of the limited capacity of volunteers to help in the long term development of these projects. There are, however, the benefits for the project from the host to accept volunteers and these benefits are very similar, I would say to those volunteers. People sign up to volunteer in the first place to delve into the rhythm of life in another culture, to understand how people in the developing world live and struggle they faced, and successes they enjoy, and we hope to help in any way possible in the development of the host organization. The advantages of this interaction is also the host organization, if it is only by exposure to other viewpoints, and endurance, beliefs and experiences of volunteers. If a volunteer is an act of colonialism, and the flood of volunteers in a very different culture and certainly help to dispel any sense of superiority initial unintended on the part of volunteers and help spread understanding between cultures of the world on both sides.
There are a myriad of data on the Internet stating that volunteer work is not an act of altruism, and is volunteering to take advantage of most of the work they perform by the host community. Each of these statements are correct. And at this point? Does this mean that because of the volunteer will benefit from a period spent in a foreign community as it is a shameful act of exploitation, as might be implied by the "neo-colonial" label? Even If volunteering is the party who benefits most from this interaction, does undermine any benefits that have been appreciated by the host community?
There are negative consequences of participation in the commitment is thought to volunteer, but there are undoubtedly benefits both sides too, if not for the development of this project, at least in the benefits mutual understanding and exchange of expertise and experience. Perhaps the problem lies in the word itself: volunteer work. Perhaps, instead, we can not use the term "cultural immersion". This would remove the transcendent meaning as possible, and more honestly reflect on the nature of the experience for both parties, and the mutual benefits of interaction between representatives of two different cultures and peoples as well.
Sarah Carroll is the founder of VolunteeringforFree.org, a website dedicated to helping volunteers to step by voluntary organizations in hostels around the world based on a desire to link local projects to their guests additional charges .
