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 Pecha-Kucha Session (which means ‘chit-chat’ in Japanese), speakers will present their ideas in a concise and visually dynamic format, which will then be unpacked during group discussion.

Moderator: Sonia Fernandes (Pista Mágica)

• Speaker: Vander Finotti (Youth Activist)
• Title: "Bridges and not walls: Aligning institutional needs and perceptions with the desires of young volunteers"

Young volunteers see themselves as diverse individuals with diverse interests. The new generation of volunteers can see themselves at the centre of different crises and contemporary issues and get involved in a wide range of community actions. Environmental vulnerability can cause socio-economic crises and vice versa. Young people and their ways of working understand the intersections that surround them. Yet we need to discuss how to strengthen institutional structures to welcome these new volunteers and their desire to make the world a better place. Intersection needs to go beyond subjective discussions about the themes of action and their interactions and understand how the institutional structure understands these intersections. This presentation aims to bring to light a debate on how to reflect the institutional structures of organisations that have volunteers as a driving force. During the discussion, delegates will be invited to explore how to align the expectations of youth activists with the practices of the institutions that need to engage them. This space will also serve as a seed for self-reflection, inviting delegates to reflect on how organisations perceive volunteers within their institutional structures and how these structures can, sometimes inadvertently, create walls between young volunteers and the organisation.

• Speaker: Isidora D. Mytilinaiou (YouBeHero / Bayes Business School)
• Title: "The Role of Psychological Contracts and Emotional Labour in Volunteerism"

This presentation will explore the significant impact of volunteers in the public sector. Volunteers, with their steadfast dedication, exemplify a psychological contract—an implicit connection of shared expectations and responsibilities. This intangible contract profoundly influences volunteer engagement and satisfaction. Volunteers' commitment and ability to withstand difficult situations are enhanced when they think that organisations treat them fairly, with respect, and fulfil their promises. The psychological contract serves to enhance both individual well-being and collective cohesion. Additionally, the concept of emotional labour, where volunteers manage their emotions to achieve organisational goals, is crucial. Volunteers frequently cross intricate emotional terrains, carefully managing a delicate balance between empathy and efficiency, particularly in crisis situations. Acknowledging and supporting this emotional labour is essential for maintaining volunteer motivation and fostering stronger community bonds.The presentation will examine how these solidarities, developed through psychological contracts and emotional labour, activate various connections that tackle global concerns. By visualising and understanding these connections, the speaker will discuss how volunteering fosters fairness, social fairness, and the ability to endure, ultimately converting our crisis-ridden world into a world characterised by unity and adaptability.

• Speaker: Philippa Jane Chapman (COCO)
• Title: “Mobilising Volunteers in the Northeast of England for Global Impact”

This presentation will explore the critical role of mobilising volunteers in the development sector, with a focus on COCO's overseas projects. COCO is an international development charity based in Northeast of England which strives to create brighter futures for children through education. Working in Kenya, COCO tackles issues which intersect with education such as climate change, socio-economic status and female empowerment.  The presentation will emphasise the ongoing need for volunteer engagement to sustain these efforts, even as attention and resources are increasingly focused on domestic issues in the West. Delegates will be invited to discuss the challenges and opportunities fostered between volunteers and organisations.  COCO’s current involvement with volunteers will be used as a springboard to discuss how such relationships may change in the future. The presentation will open a discussion around strategies for engaging volunteers, and the value of their contributions towards development.

*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.