Comments

Hi Weh, I also think this comes down to the narrative around the program and the mode of recruitment. If positions were advertised more realistically, perhaps it would attract a different crowd. i.e. If outcomes were: assist counterpart to learn Microsoft Word, implement basic calendar system in office, copy edit English funding proposals, etc you would probably get people with more modest expectations coming in than those arriving thinking they are going to implement a national five year strategy or something. The whole careerist push whereby international volunteering is seen as some sort of box to tick on a CV doesn't help this either. You see all the colleges (particularly in the US) that create these summer program volunteering/internship things that have dubious development impact. I think many young people feel like it's something they should do instead of questioning what is actually the best way for them to help effectively.

Thanks for your comment EM. I agree that the gaping disparity between the volunteer allowance and local counterpart salaries etc is an issue. In my org, local staff knew how much volunteers were receiving and I think this likely contributed to the challenges I faced. The disparity can cause fractures in working relationships and understandable resentment. It also confuses the meaning of the word 'volunteer'. On the other hand, I probably couldn't have afforded to volunteer at that point in time without some kind of support -- even though I wasn't effective, I think some of the most effective people I have seen also needed support (i.e. had a mortgage back in Australia, had kids, etc). So in some ways I understand the allowances because it widens the possible socioeconomic pool of Australian applicants (but then I would also argue that the recruitment process narrows it again anyway), but it very much muddies the water about what a volunteer is. It isn't just Australia doing it -- UN Volunteers are also financially supported, and from what I heard anecdotally from UNV friends, their allowances are in a similar range to the AVID ones.

Although, on the other hand country B because it is more populous is asking each individual citizen to give less, which mitigates the above in a sense.

Hi Chris, It's an interesting suggestion but I don't think it's a fair assessment of generosity for two reasons: 1. The amount of debt a country has is, in most circumstances, a political decision (they could have less if they raised taxes) and it seems unfair to 'punish' a country and make them seem less generous simply because they have a long run sustainable fiscal policy. 2. Aid as a percentage of total government spending is, as this post shows, low (approx 1%) so it plays no real role in whether a country has a deficit or not. Good, interesting suggestion though.

Hear hear. Les, delighted though I am to hear that you've had resources and expertise enough at your disposal to ensure your UN placement has allowed capacity building across a broad section of the community, I'm not convinced this responds to Ashlee's enquiry about the legitimacy of placing 'volunteers' in agencies that have such resources (material and human) so readily at their disposal. I interpreted Ashlee's comments as seeking some clarity about the overall objectives of volunteer program, and suggesting scrutiny that ensures 'volunteers' aren't simply being provided to well-financed agencies in liu of an affordable staff member. I agree to some extent with your sentiments about ineffective vols justifying a paid holiday, but disagree entirely with your telling insinuation that there could be no real challenges for volunteers working with local organisations. Local organisations can be extremely tough, and effective work is not about charging in with big ideas and disregard for local colleagues. In fact, this may be precisely the view that negates your confident assertion about having done effective, community-wide 'capacity building' in your volunteer role with the UN.

Hi Russell, Thanks for your comment. I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Timor-Leste and to meet many wonderful people there -- it is definitely a country I would return to again happily, despite the challenges. I previously worked in Indonesia for a couple of years, so I have a strong affinity for the region and my understanding and interest was only enhanced by my time in Timor-Leste. I share your frustration on feedback. As for the 'projecctised' approach, it could be an interesting model -- you are almost seeing the volunteer as a consultant in this approach, right? Another system that I've thought could work, particularly in places with many volunteers doing similar work (i.e. communications in Dili) could be to set up skills hubs, where a volunteer with a certain skill (i.e. photography or video) could conduct training and support across multiple organisations on a project basis?

One theme seems to consistently flow through the article and subsequent comments and that is an expectation to see results from an assignment. This is a reflection of the industry's misplaced focus, largely driven by outsiders, on measurable outputs. Capacity building. What does that include? Would Ashlee's six months of wearing down her older male counterpart by persistently presenting herself, presumably, as a capable colleague eventually create a change of opinion in six months or six years time that won't appear evident until the next volunteer or younger local female staff member applies for a promotion? Is that not worthwhile? I think that especially in the 'volunteering' sector in which the capacity building is just as much for the benefit of the Australian 'volunteer' as it is for the local agency results shouldn't be judged solely upon measurable outputs. There are some axioms that we can live by and one of them is that the more intercultural exchanges we have the more trust and knowledge is build that flows through to both societies involved.

Brendan, I have to say I was really impressed by some of the work that Palms volunteers were doing in TL, particularly a couple who were friends of mine. It's very different to the AVID program and has a very different set of incentives for participation. I'm sure it depends very much on finding the right people, as well as receptive, engaged and interested communities.

Thanks for sharing your experience -- I'm glad to hear that you were able to be placed in another more suitable assignment. I think my greatest frustration was that I was unable to get intervention from the ICM (since there was a rotating cycle of temporary ones) to help sort things out. Even when assignments aren't working, at least if there is adequate support then alternatives or solutions can be worked towards.

"young women sent into organisations to ‘build capacity’ of those older than them and sometimes male in organisations or societies with strong hierarchical/patriarchal values, unless someone with some perceived authority intervenes to work through problems or to negotiate the terms of the role and try to define expectations, they often just face roadblock after roadblock." You can add me to your list of testimonies - you've just put into words an experience I've had. Actually most of your posts really resonated with me. And I see that some of the commenters don't fully understand what you've said - sometimes, there are things a person can't solve on their own. No matter their abilities or initiative. Let's all agree that some situations are just bad. I find it terrible the mindset that it's always the volunteers' responsibility and they could always have done more... if you sound the alarm, ask for help, try different strategies, and it's not working, how can you be to blame? I think you have great courage for writing this post and seems like you have processed your experience very appropriately. It's a struggle to not feel de-valued or have diminished self-worth based on a 'bad seed'.

Hi Cy, I would say you need to remember the other perks of Peace Corps -- many returned Peace Corps volunteers are able to attend grad school for greatly reduced tuition and have a range of scholarships available to them. This, along with the career boost from being part of the PC alumni, does create incentives for them to stay on. Sure, they are living on a lot less, but there are benefits for them to reap from making it to the finish line. The level of living allowance is definitely an interesting area for discussion.

SvM - I think you have made a very good point regarding the term 'volunteer'. As 'volunteers' we are often paid significantly larger amounts than our locally engaged counterparts and yet many 'volunteers' act like 'martyrs'. I brought this up with another volunteer and their response was "Yeah, but we are expats and therefore have a higher cost of living". Honestly, if that is the elitist attitude 'volunteers' are going to have, I question how they are going to effectively build the capacity of their counterparts and the organisation whilst giving those around them a good impression of Australia. The bottom line is, we are not volunteers and we are receiving a considerable amount of money which could be used effectively in other areas of the Australian Aid Program. We need to ensure that these 'volunteer' positions are effectively developed and that 'volunteers' are made to be accountable with better performance management from both Austraining and the local organisations. As a recently returned volunteer, I am extremely concerned that Austraining International are following a policy of 'quantity not quality' in the development of assignments and selection of volunteers. It is important to remember that Austraining International is not a not-for-profit organisation and the more volunteer positions they are able to create, the more profit they are able to make. I truly care about the Australian Volunteers Program but since returning and attempting to provide constructive criticism, which as others have mentioned above seems to have fallen on deaf ears, I am concerned for the future of this program and the impression it will give of Australia.