IVCO

In an era where social challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected, the active participation of the private sector has become essential in strengthening civil society.

In this session we will hear from two different organisations about their experiences.  Juan Poyatos, CEO of Volies will share his perspectives on  "Mobilizing Business for Civil Society: The Power of Corporate Volunteering,"  and explore how corporate volunteering initiatives can act as powerful tools to empower communities, promote civic engagement, and support the achievement of global development goals.

The session will showcase successful examples of corporate volunteering programs, analyze their impact on both employees and communities, and reflect on the strategic role businesses can play as allies in the social sector. Beyond corporate social responsibility, the talk will highlight how structured, purpose-driven volunteer programs not only enhance employee wellbeing and company culture but also contribute to building resilient, inclusive, and active civil societies.

Attendees will gain insights into the key factors for designing effective volunteering initiatives and learn how companies can align their social action strategies with the priorities of civil society organizations, creating long-term, meaningful partnerships.

We will also hear from Alex Chevalier Caron, from Crossroads International who will share how Crossroads International implements various partnerships with Canadian civil society organizations and the private sector, in order to meet recruitment challenges and to access a new pool of potential skilled volunteers,. These partnerships make it possible to adequately meet the needs of Crossroads International's partners in Africa through international volunteering. This session aims to share good practices and lessons learned during the implementation of these rich exchanges.