The breakout sessions on Day 1 will focus on who ‘we’ are as diverse actors in the volunteering sector, understanding the nature of crises and acknowledging their depth and what they mean to us. The sessions will also aim to connect the local to the global by inviting delegates to talk about the challenges they face at different levels and to brainstorm together on current and potential coping strategies.

In this Human Library Session, speakers will focus on will focus on sharing knowledge about working in volunteering and development and responding to crises through storytelling, allowing delegates to gain an in-depth insight into the experiences of others in a conversational and creative format where 'readers' interact with different 'human books'.

Moderator: Neil Denton (Durham University | Relationships Project)

• Speaker: Liyun Wendy Choo (Volunteer Service Abroad)
• Title: “The notion of va to rethink international volunteering for development and solidarity in the Pacific”

This presentation will draw on IVCO 2024 Think Piece 4, also co-authored by Aarthi Srinivasan and Alofa Lopati from VSA, which discusses the Pacific concept of VA to rethink international volunteering for development and solidarity in the region. By using a term and concept proposed by Pacific people(s) to think about international volunteering, the discussion seeks to honour the Pacific people and communities that VSA works with. The conversation will also highlight how Pacific people understand relationships and suggest how international volunteering agencies in the Pacific and beyond can move towards a volunteering for solidarity approach.

• Speaker: Jacob Ingelgren (Swedish Red Cross)
• Title: “Volunteering in dangerous situations: Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of volunteers”

Volunteers are crucial humanitarian actors in conflicts and emergencies, often providing a vital link in the delivery of aid to some of the most inaccessible areas. As humanitarian volunteering continues to grow in complex environments, volunteers face significant challenges and may be exposed to unnecessary risks. One of the key challenges for organisations is to find effective ways to mitigate these risks for both local staff and volunteers. In this session you will have the opportunity to discuss and share experiences and methods to address these challenges. You will also learn about the Red Cross and Red Crescent standards that ensure the safety and well-being of volunteers. These standards are based on an extensive listening exercise conducted in partnership with Northumbria University, which included insights from a large number of volunteers with experience in conflict zones and crises such as the Ebola outbreak.

• Speaker: Wan Ahmad Hazman Bin Wan Daud (Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa - YSS)
• Title: “Solidarity during crises: YSS Roles in Malaysia in navigating the Covid-19 pandemic”

During Malaysia's 593-day lockdown, one of the world's longest, Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) played a crucial role by leveraging its position as a non-profit, semi-government entity. YSS focused on four key areas: quick assistance, federal-level support, educational aid, and capacity building. The organisation provided essential hygiene kits and medicine to communities in need and coordinated support for university students trapped on campus, ensuring their safe return home. YSS also mobilised youth volunteers at vaccination centres and addressed the digital divide by supplying devices, internet subscriptions, and tuition to underprivileged children. Additionally, YSS continued its capacity-building efforts through webinars and e-training for university students. These initiatives were made possible through the solidarity and dedication of youth volunteers, in collaboration with private companies, educational institutions, and authorities. In this session, the speaker will share YSS’s experiences and discuss the power of youth to effect change during crises through solidarity in volunteering, and how enhanced public-private-people (PPP) collaboration effectively addressed national crises through strategic planning and stakeholder involvement.

*Four different modalities of breakout sessions have been designed to amplify diverse voices and promote opportunities for delegates to share their experiences in engaging ways during IVCO 2024.
Click here to find out more about what to expect from each type of breakout session.