International Volunteering in Southern Africa: Potential for Change?

Publisher: SCIENTIA BONNENSIS, Bonn
Editor: South African German Network Germany (SAGE Net)
Language: English

ISBN-10: 3940766496
ISBN-13: 978-3940766496
Paperback: 260 pages
Format: 22,9 x 15,2 x 1,5 cm
Published: December 2011/January 2012

Available at www.amazon.de for 14,80 € and www.amazon.com for $ 17,90.

Also available as well-priced e-book for 7,80 € at beam eBook-Shop.

Lessons learnt from weltwärts?

Bonn, Kapstadt, 24 February 2012. Does international volunteering in Southern Africa have potential for change? After a two and a half year research process, the South African German Network (SAGE Net) believes yes. In its new book ‘International Volunteering in Southern Africa: Potential for Change’, SAGE Net reflects on the weltwärts volunteer programme, its implementation and the support mechanisms for its further development – both within Sage Net and in South Africa. The aim of this book is to make the most important results of these implications widely accessible.

The book is published in English since it not only addresses the German weltwärts community, but seeks to find readers outside Germany, especially in Southern Africa. It captures the international volunteering experience through the voices of researchers, volunteers and other players in the international volunteer landscape. The book thus takes a look at weltwärts and international volunteering from different perspectives – both South and North. It aims to provide a constructive, critical contribution to the current discussion at a time when international volunteering is receiving fresh impetus in many countries.

The fundamental questions addressed in these contributions are these: what is the potential for change among all the actors involved in international volunteering, and how can projects be designed to ensure their relevance and sustainability for all? The book attempts to answer these questions and, together, show clearly that only a holistic view of international volunteering can produce the socio-economic changes from which all parties will benefit.

SAGE Net is a corporation initiative of German and South African organisations (non-government organisations, local government structures, public authorities, groups, clubs, etc.) and individuals who have dedicated themselves to non-profit activities for sustainable development in Germany and South Africa. Sage Net Germany is a weltwärts sending organisation that implements the weltwärts programme in South Africa in cooperation with its partner SAGE Net South Africa, alongside a multitude of other organisations.