Papa Diouf is a global thought leader on volunteering for development, with over 20 years of experience shaping how local action drives systemic change. As Global Health Lead at VSO International and former Country Director in Rwanda, he has led programmes across several countries in Africa, Asia and Central America, building coalitions with governments, the African Union, UN agencies, and grassroots movements. Since June 2025, Papa is also serving as the VSO Cambodia Representative.
In 2019, in his country leadership capacity, Papa hosted IVCO where the Global Volunteering Standards were first launched — a milestone that continues to influence practice worldwide. Today, he champions the belief that local voluntary action is not only complementary to formal systems but is essential for strengthening people’s voice and agency in driving equitable change.
Before joining VSO, Papa spent over a decade at WaterAid holding several positions, including as Global Manager of a multi-country governance and accountability programme. He holds master degrees in Poverty Reduction Strategies and Development Economics.
Looking ahead, Papa is focused on how volunteering can adapt to an era defined by climate crisis, persistent inequality, and shrinking civic space — ensuring that communities remain at the centre of shaping fairer, more resilient and thriving societies. Papa will be sharing VSO International experiences on how volunteering has sparked active citizenship leading to system change.
Papa will be speaking at IVCO on day one of the conference in the session on Volunteering as a pathway to active participation in civil society and on day 2 in the session on Volunteer-involving organisations as advocates for civic space.
