International Voluntary Service

International Voluntary Service
Founded 1931 (1931)
Founder Pierre Ceresole
Focus Peace
Headquarters Edinburgh, Scotland
Area served
80 countries
Key people
 Chief Executive: Amy Blake
Website Official website

International Voluntary Service (IVS), is a peace organisation working for the sustainable development of local and global communities throughout the world. The organisation was formed in 1931 and is a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland.[1] IVS is the British branch of Service Civil International (SCI), a worldwide network of like-minded partner organisations supporting the mutual exchange of volunteers to work on projects of direct benefit to local communities.[2] The International Voluntary Service is recognised by the United Nations Volunteers Programme, as the longest running International Volunteering service in the United Kingdom.[3]

Guiding Ethos

The mission of the International Voluntary Service is to foster Peace and understanding between peoples and nations through the mutual exchange of volunteers. This ethos is summed up by the strapline 'Volunteering for Peace'.

History

Formation

In 1931, Service Civil International sent a team of international volunteers to the Welsh colliery town of Brynmawr. The volunteers redeveloped a brownfield site into a public park, which included an outdoor swimming pool.[4]

The Brynmawr redevelopment was the first international project in Great Britain and marked the beginning of International Voluntary Service, shortly after IVS became the first recognised branch of the SCI.

Second World War

In 1939 the UK Government officially recognised Alternative civilian service as an alternative to military service. This policy change led to sharp rise in the number active volunteers.

Current Activities

Peace Education

Since 2011, IVS has delivered Peace Education within UK schools.

International Volunteering

European Voluntary Service

The International Voluntary Service is accredited as a sending and co-ordinating organisation for the European Voluntary Service.

Service Civil International

The International Voluntary Service is a founding partner of Service Civil International, a global network of international volunteering organisations.

As a Partner, IVS can send and receive volunteers to and from countries with an active SCI branch.

Notable Members

Frank Judd

Between 1960 - 1966 Lord Frank Judd, Baron Judd acted as the Secretary General of the International Voluntary Service.[5] Lord Judd remains a Patron for IVS

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ↑ Charity Commission. The International Volutary Service, registered charity no. 275424.
  2. ↑ "Service Civil International (SCI)- Volunteering for Peace - Local SCI branch or partner". www.sci.ngo. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  3. ↑ Lough, Benjamin J. (2015-01-01). The evolution of international volunteering (PDF). Bonn, Germany: United Nations Volunteers.
  4. ↑ "Brynmawr Welfare Park, Hidden Histories - BBC Two". BBC. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  5. ↑ "Lord Judd". UK Parliament. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
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