Alternative Overseas Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults
The United Church of Canada often receives inquiries about overseas opportunities for youth and young adults. The UCC Global Mission Personnel programme sends personnel overseas in response to specific requests received from overseas partners. Most of these requests are for a period of three years, although some are for one or two years. Occasionally opportunities arise which are suitable for youth and young adults. When these requests are received they are posted on the UCC website and circulated to Conference and Presbytery offices. As opportunities for young people are not always possible through UCC programmes, we have compiled a list of some overseas opportunities, which may of interest. This list is not exhaustive and nor are these organizations necessarily affiliated with The United Church of Canada.
Short Term Ecumenical Exposure (1-2 weeks):
The following communities welcome youth and young adults from around the world for short-term visits, usually one or two weeks, as part of organized programmes.
Corrymeela Community
Corrymeela Centre, Drumroan Road, Ballycastle, Co.
Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT54 6QU
Int'l Tel: +44 028 2076 2626
Email: ballycastle@corrymeela.org.uk
"Corrymeela is people of all ages and Christian traditions, who, individually and together are committed to the healing of Social, Religious and Political divisions that exist in Northern Ireland and throughout the world."
Iona Community
Isle of Iona, Argyll, PA76 6SN Scotland
Int'l Tel: +44 (0)1681 700404
Email: ionacomm@iona.org.uk
Website: http://www.iona.org.uk
The Iona Community is committed to "rebuilding the common life, through working for social and political change, striving for the renewal of the church with an ecumenical emphasis, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship, all based on an integrated understanding of spirituality." The Community welcomes visitors to its three centres: The Abbey Centre, MacLeod Centre and Camas Centre, Mull.
Taizé Community
71250 Taizé, France
Email: meetings@taize.fr
Website: http://www.taize.fr
The Taizé Community welcomes visitors from around the world, mainly young people from 18-29, for week-long "meetings". "[A] link between a deep spiritual experience and a creative opening to the world is at the heart of the meetings at Taizé, which have been centered for many years on the theme 'inner life and human solidarity'." The Community is renowned for its distinctive and meditative music.
Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities (up to 6 months):
Mennonite Central Committee Canada
134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Tel: (204) 261-6381 or 1-888-622-6337
Website: http://www.mcc.org
"Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief, service and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches. MCC reflects the biblical call to care for the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the sick and those in prison." Various programmes exist through the MCC Canada ranging from 1 week to 1 year for groups or individuals in a variety of locations throughout the world. See the website or contact the MCC directly for opportunities currently available.
Canadian Crossroads International
317 Adelaide Street West, Suite 500 Toronto, ON M5V 1P9
Tel: (416) 967-1611
Email: info@cciorg.ca
Website: http://www.cciorg.ca
"CCI programs aim principally to reinforce links between Northern and Southern NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Volunteers, who are both recruited from our Canadian partner agencies and from the general public, are sent to work on specific projects run by partner NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the South." Programmes generally last from four to six months. Full information is available on the website.
Youth Challenge International
305-20 Maud Street, Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
Tel: (416) 504-3376
Email: generalinfo@yci.org
Website: http://www.yci.org
"Youth Challenge International believes that young people should play a central role in addressing youth issues. A key component of our work is combining the energy and skills of Canadian youth volunteers with those of local youth to work on programs in our partner countries." Volunteers work on teams of 2 to 10 and live in rural communities working with local NGOs. Programmes range from 5-12 weeks.
International Cultural Youth Exchange
Gro?e Hamburger St. 30, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 28390550
Email: icye@icye.org
Website: http://www.icye.org
"ICYE is an international, non-profit youth exchange organization promoting youth mobility, intercultural learning and international voluntary experience." Possibilities exist for short-term opportunities, particularly in summer months. Consult the website for information.
CUSO
500-2255 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 1A6
Tel: 1-888-434-2876
Email: cuso.secretariat@cuso.ca
Website: www.cuso.org
CUSO provides volunteer opportunities for individuals, not necessarily youth, but is also a member of NetCorps Canada International, a youth internship program that focuses on Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Internships link youth between 19 and 30 with partners for short-term ICT placements (between 4-6 months) in developing countries.
Corrymeela Community
Corrymeela Centre, Drumroan Road, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT54 6QU
Int'l Tel: +44 028 2076 2626
Email: volunteering@corrymeela.org
In addition to the possibility of short-term visits, a number of opportunities exist for volunteering for three to five weeks during the summer. Summer volunteers assist the full and part-time volunteers in creating a welcoming place for visitors in a number of different contexts. (See Corrymeela Community description above)
Iona Community
Isle of Iona, Argyll, PA76 6SN Scotland
Int'l Tel: +44 (0)1681 700404
Email: ionacomm@iona.org.uk
Website: http://www.iona.org.uk
In addition to the possibility of short-term visits, opportunities exist for volunteers to assist in the work of the Community for periods of about six weeks in a number of capacities. Consult the website for full information about this possibility and the various jobs available. (See Iona Community description above)
Taizé Community
71250 Taizé, France
Email: meetings@taize.fr
Website: http://www.taize.fr
In addition to the possibility of short-term "meetings", opportunities exist for young people to assist the Community as volunteers particularly in the summer months. It is generally required that prospective volunteers have familiarity with the Community and should have participated in at least one "meeting". Volunteers may come for three weeks to several months. People who are interested are invited to write to the Community outlining their background and interest in volunteering. (see Taizé Community description above)
World Council of Churches Stewards Programme
World Council of Churches, P.O. Box 2100, 150 route de Ferney, CH-1211
Geneva 2, Switzerland
Website: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/youth-e.html
This programme "brings 40 young people from different churches and parts of the world to assist with practical tasks during meetings of the WCC Central Committee." Details of this programme are posted on The United Church of Canada website as well as the WCC website in advance of Central Committee meetings.
Longer-Term Volunteer Opportunities (more than 6 months):
Canada World Youth
Regional Offices throughout Canada
Tel: 1-866-7-VOYAGE
Email: imready@cwy-jcm.org
Website: http://www.cwy-jcm.org
"Canada World Youth brings together young people from Canada and around the world to experience another culture and get involved at the community level." Participants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 (up to 29 with some programmes). For most programmes, part of the time is spent in Canada. The length of the programmes is usually 6-7 months.
Mennonite Central Committee Canada
134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Tel: (204) 261-6381 or 1-888-622-6337
Website: http://www/mcc.org
Serving and Learning Together (SALT) is a cross-cultural living and service experience for young adults. This programme lasts 1 year and is for young people between the ages of 18 and 27. (See MCC description above)
International Cultural Youth Exchange
Gro?e Hamburger St. 30, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 28390550
Email: icye@icye.org
Website: http://www.icye.org
As well as shorter-term opportunities, numerous possibilities exist for volunteer positions around the world for 6 months to one year. Information on the variety of placements and the application process is available on the website. (see the ICYE description above)