International Citizen Service
Encyclopedia
International Citizen Service (ICS) is a global volunteering experience funded by the Department for International Development
(DFID) which gives young people across the UK the chance to join in the fight against global poverty. According to David Cameron
it was inspired by the Peace Corps
.
The scheme launched in March 2011 will enable 18 to 22 year-olds to work as volunteers for 10 to 12 weeks in a developing country on projects to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Placements will be available for 1,080 18-22 year olds and 170 team leaders (23 years +) in the pilot phase in 2011/12. Participation is free for people on low incomes.
The scheme aims to contribute to helping reduce poverty overseas as well as to broaden the horizons of the young volunteers and develop skills such as team working and communications.
Some of the experiences on offer will include:
ICS is planned to involve thousands of young people over the coming years, with 2011 acting as a pilot year to see how best to scale up the programme. The pilot will be implemented by a consortium of six volunteering agencies, led by Voluntary Service Overseas
. The members of the consortium are:
ICS will be largely funded by the Government but some volunteers will be required to make a financial contribution of up to £2,000. Means testing will help ensure that a wide spectrum of people from all backgrounds can participate.
The scheme also recognises the contribution that older people can make and will reserve limited places for 'team leaders'. Typically these people will have skills and experience that are in high demand in developing countries.
From 2013 the scheme will seek to include graduates of the UK-based National Citizen Service
programme for 16 and 17 year-olds.
Department for International Development
The Department For International Development is a United Kingdom government department with a Cabinet Minister in charge. It was separated from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. The goal of the department is "to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty". The current...
(DFID) which gives young people across the UK the chance to join in the fight against global poverty. According to David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
it was inspired by the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
.
The scheme launched in March 2011 will enable 18 to 22 year-olds to work as volunteers for 10 to 12 weeks in a developing country on projects to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Placements will be available for 1,080 18-22 year olds and 170 team leaders (23 years +) in the pilot phase in 2011/12. Participation is free for people on low incomes.
The scheme aims to contribute to helping reduce poverty overseas as well as to broaden the horizons of the young volunteers and develop skills such as team working and communications.
Some of the experiences on offer will include:
- Working in Latin America or West Africa on projects to protect and promote the rights of children, women people living with disability or HIV/AIDS.
- Faith based programmes in Malawi, El Salvador or Peru working with farmers on sustainable agriculture or training young people in IT skills.
- Working alongside young national volunteers in Africa or Asia to design and run events and campaigns to promote changes aimed at reducing poverty.
ICS is planned to involve thousands of young people over the coming years, with 2011 acting as a pilot year to see how best to scale up the programme. The pilot will be implemented by a consortium of six volunteering agencies, led by Voluntary Service Overseas
Voluntary Service Overseas
Voluntary Service Overseas is an international development charity that works through experienced volunteers living and working as equals alongside local partners. It is the largest independent volunteer-sending organization in the world...
. The members of the consortium are:
- International Service
- Progressio
- Restless Development
- Skillshare
- Tropical Healthcare Education Trust
- VSO
ICS will be largely funded by the Government but some volunteers will be required to make a financial contribution of up to £2,000. Means testing will help ensure that a wide spectrum of people from all backgrounds can participate.
The scheme also recognises the contribution that older people can make and will reserve limited places for 'team leaders'. Typically these people will have skills and experience that are in high demand in developing countries.
From 2013 the scheme will seek to include graduates of the UK-based National Citizen Service
National Citizen Service
National Citizen Service is a non-military national service for 16-year olds in England. It is being piloted in 2011....
programme for 16 and 17 year-olds.