On 6 April 2009, a heavy earthquake touched the entire region of Abruzzo, in Italy. Over 300 people died, more than 1600 inhabitants have been wounded, and over 65.000 have been displaced from their homes into emergency camps.
SCI Italy will organise six international volunteer projects in Abruzzo this summer to support the efforts authorities and local communities make to recover after the disaster.
Long Term Volunteer projects (LTV) make up a big sector for SCI’s work. But there are not so many possibilities for partners in this field to meet and exchange best practices. This inspired SVIT Ukraine and IAL Sweden to develop a seminar “Building bridges through volunteering”.
The seminar will be organised with funding from EC-Youth in Action and LTEG.
On 27th June SCI Malaysia in cooperation with The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission will organise the “Fundraising, Sustainability and Transparency” seminar.
A hard copy had been sent to every SCI branch two weeks ago (together with a copy of ICM minutes, also available on members area under ICM mailings). You can also download a copy of the Annual Report from the link below.
Yes, you may be surprised: But this is the newsletter from Asian branches, "Asian Voices" volume1, 2009.
This newsletter is published by Asian Development Committee(ADC) which is mandated in ICM 2008. ADC's aim is to activate Asian branches and strengthen cooperation among Asian branches. And this newsletter is one of the ADC's activities.
As many of you know, since 2003 SCI Italy has been running a project in Rome, called "LA CITTA DELL'UTOPIA": a space of participation and active citizenship, connecting the local and the international levels.
Thanks to the work of all the volunteers who contribute to the development of the project, LA CITTA DELL'UTOPIA today is an expression of autonomy, civil resistance, active citizenship and promotion of a change towards an egalitarian and inclusive society.
From 8-19th April 2009 there will be a study visit to Russia for 20 representatives of SCI branches & groups in Europe.
The overall aim of this European Youth Foundation (EYF) suppported project, coordinated by SCI Germany, is to get better aquainted with the aims & work of our current seven Russian partners, evaluate our previous exchanges and share ideas & visions for our future cooperation.
New vacancy in SCI International Secretariat, Antwerpen - Office Administrator
We are urgently looking for an Office Administrator!
This post is based at the International Secretariat in Antwerpen, Belgium. The post is for 32 hours (80%) structurally per week for the duration of 12 months, with a probation period of 2 months.
Application deadline for this post is 6th February 2009. SCI would prefer the new Office Administrator to start not later than of March 2009.
On Saturday, December 27th 2008, the Israeli air force has started massive attacks against the Gaza strip, soon followed by the invasion of ground troops into Palestinian territory.
As an international peace organisation, Service Civil International (SCI) is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence, and of hatred on both sides, that are the consequences of this military action.
Original ideas, marathon voting, new directions on the last day of ICM
Always the busiest day with wrapping up and final decision making of all the topics from the previous three working days, Sunday is far away being leisure time for ICM delegates.
Nevertheless the last day is always the day that brings the fruits of all the discussions, workshops, and presentations before, in order to make deeds out of words.
After charging up our „batteries” exhausted by strategic planning the third day of ICM moved on with the presentation of financial situation of SCI with the spectacular presentation by Stanislas, the Financial Officer of the International Secretariat about balance sheets, budget lines, assets and liabilities and lots of others swearwords…
13/12/2008
Mission-vision impossible? Underlying basis for next SCI Strategic Plan
A whole working day sacrifized for the next strategic plan of SCI, branch representatives did a hard and enthousiastic work to reflect on past and present of SCI and tried to show direction for the future.
We had good „fuel” for working after unanimously holding our peace flags high and voting for VCV Vojvodina becoming the 33rd branch of SCI! Congratulation!
JOIN VIRTUALLY THE 68th INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF SCI!
Follow the daily reports, pictures, rumours of the most important decision making international event of your favourite volunteer organisation from 11-15 th December 2008, in Glencree, Ireland!
From 8th to 12th October 2008, North-South Platform Meeting (NSPM) were successfully held at La Marlagne-Wepion, Namur, Belgium.
Thanks to the fantastic efforts from the host, SCI Belgium, the IS and Prep Team. A total of 52 delegates from 26 countries were able to converge their thoughts at wonderful venue such as Marcel Hichter Culture Centre.
Dear friends of SCI, as you probably know Volintegration 2008 - Networking for inclusion of young people through volunteering - has been a huge success.
A big thank you for the 15 partners in 12 European countries who organized seminars, trainings and 14 pilot voluntary projects on volunteering as tool for social inclusion and integration.
Short documentary of Vlahi Eco-Center is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqyRjs8z4QY
Started in 2003, Vlahi ECO Center is envisioned to be an active model for sustainable development.
We are hereby looking for a dynamic team to constitute the nucleus of preparatory group for 2009 Technical European Meeting (TEM) in Cologne/Koln, Germany.
Call for Experts for EYF-project: Volunteering for Peace Promotion
SCI-IS recently received a grant from the European Youth Foundation (EYF) to develop and implement a Communication Project with the (maximum) duration of one year, starting in September 2008.
Ingrid ter Maat (Fundraiser IS) and Anisa Fona (Project LTV IS) will be in charge of this project, together with two more prepteam members, for which a call has been launched within the SCI global network.
Call for prepteam members EYF project ‘Volunteering for Peace Promotion’
SCI-IS recently received a grant from the European Youth Foundation (EYF) to develop and implement a Communication Project with the (maximum) duration of one year, starting in September 2008.
A prepteam of four persons will be in charge of implementing this project, two members have already been appointed (IS Fundraiser and Project LTV) and herewith we launch a call for the other two.
Call for participants: Human Rights Education in Practice Seminar in Poland
Service Civil International Poland announces the international advanced long-term training course “Human Rights in Practice!”
Training is shaped in form of three stages: the first training seminar: Human rights education (November 2008), implementation at the local level and the second training: Combating Discrimination (March 2009).
We are happy to announce that the first documentary film festival on Human Rights will take place in Bucharest, Romania from 27th May - 4th June. There will be over 40 documentaries from over 20 countries, 4 photo exhibitions, debates, special guests and many more...
A new EVS vacancy will be available in the International Secretariat in the following months.
The post would be from early August 2008 - August 2009. We are now making the call for applicants for the Projects LTV position.
10/04/2008
Report from "Hosting projects - what we can do?"
Searching for 600 years old oak-tree…
We did not find it. We tried, but did not know the way (there even was a map), and we were close.
But our other searches resulted with bigger success.
We were searching for fresh ideas, experiences and inspiration how to improve long-term volunteer (LTV) and EVS (European Voluntary Service) exchanges in SCI through better prepared hosting projects for LTV during international training “Hosting projects – what we can do”, organized by LTEG working group of SCI and SVIT-Ukraine.
The event was organised with financial support of “Youth in Action” program of the European Union.
12/03/2008
"Hosting projects - what we can do?"
"Hosting projects - what can we do?" is title of the international seminar organized jointly by SCI International Secretariat (SCI - IS), Long Term Exchange Working Group (LTEG) and SVIT-Ukraine.
Technical Meeting (TEM) 2008
From 21st to 25th February more than 45 delegates from SCI branches and partner organisations will meet for the SCI Technical Meeting in Palermo to discuss the preparation details of the new workcamp season that will start this year on 17th March.
From 1st to 6th February 2008 Volunteers' Centre of Vojvodina (VCV) organized "Peace Messengers and Intercultural Dialogue" training course in Serbia.
The event prepared by Danijela Juric, VCZ Croatia – trainer, Dejan Acanski, VCV Serbia - trainer, David Gvineria, European Youth Forum Pool of Trainers - trainer, Jeroen Wils, SCI – speaker gathered 20 participants from SCI branches and partner organisations in Belgium, Romania, Sweden, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, France, UK, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and it proved to be a great energy generator for many project initiatives.
SCI Bangladesh - second workcamp in the affected area
In November 2007 the Tropical Cyclone SIDR destroyed thousands of houses and killed many people in Southwest Bangladesh.
On 1st January 2008 SCI Bangladesh organised the first workcamp in the affected area. Volunteers from Europe and Asia helped distributing water, food, blankets, winter clothes, medicine and medical support. They helped also building new houses and sanitary latrines for the affected population.
This page includes links to the language pages, and also a few recent pictures (thanks to Swiss volunteers who have accepted to put their pictures into the public domain).
Enjoy surfing!
28/12/2007
Call for Fundraiser
At The International Secretariat
The post is based at the International Secretariat in Antwerpen, Belgium.
The Fundraiser will be working as part of the team at the International Secretariat, currently consisting of the International Coordinator and Financial Officer and three Long Term Volunteers.
Some travel may be required to meetings elsewhere in Europe. The job involves communicating by email and otherwise with funders and SCI board members, staff and activists worldwide.
For more information, please check the vacancies section of the web site.
24/12/2007
LTV vacancies in the International Secretariat
There are now two Long Term Volunteering (LTV) positions available in the International Secretariat.
Please check ourvacancies sectionto find out more about the Office LTV for Asia and the Office LTV for Europe.
We are looking forward to receiving your applications.
Seasons greeting,
The IS Team
07/12/2007
News from ICM !
Find out what is happening at the International Committee Meeting (ICM) in Bulgaria by visiting its blog at:
The reporters are uploading every day fresh information.
29/11/2007
Oldest SCI Member Got 100 Years
This month the oldest member of SCI Switzerland, Emma Ott, become 100 year old. She lives in Bern in a home for elderly people.
Until few years ago Emma Ott came regularly to every annual assembly of SCI Switzerland. Not only the age is impressing but also the fact that Emma came to SCI, when there were no annual assemblies hold yet. A committee with the SCI founder Pierre Ceresole organised every year one or two services, what we call nowadays 'workcamps'.
There is more than 27 million people affected by the Cyclone in Bangladesh.
At the moment SCI Bangladesh is setting up an emergency relief program and any assistance from individuals or NGOs world wide will be highly appreciated.
You can also help so please contact SCI Bangladesh to find out how you can contribute.
In 1946 the first work camps took place in Finland. In the next year, on 16th November 1947 KVT was founded in Helsinki and 34 years later became an SCI branch.
Long live, KVT!
15/11/2007
International Secretariat Newsletter
Check out the latest IS newsletter.
It is designed as an insight to the work and personal experences of the staff and long term volunteers in the International Secretariat of SCI.
Hosted by IAL Sweden, the annual SCI North-South Working Groups' meeting just happened from 10th to 14th October, in the cold and wonderful place called Barnens O, in the Swedish countryside.
We would like to wish you Happy Peace Day today and encourage you to join people all over the world in making a change on a big or small scale.
We want to ask you if you dare to make a difference today and try something you didn’t do before.
Please make an attempt to create peace in your own environment and/or within yourself.
Last yeas, during Summer University 2006, ISV Scotland, who was the host of the training, organised as a final event, the Ceilidih night. It was a great opportunity for the participants at the training, who were coming from more than 10 different countries to learn about the Scottish dances and to meet the IVS activists in a less formal atmosphere.
04/09/2007
Second PVP camp in Malaysia
In the period 5th - 19th July - 2007 SCI Malaysia successfully organized their second PVP (Pacifist Voluntary Project). The project held on two sites, Penang and Taiping, gathered 11 international participants from 6 countries.
They participated and helped organizing the Penang 18th Peace Run where 1800 people joined, including more than 350 people with disabilities.
29/08/2007
Call for participants: Peace Education Seminar in Poland
SCI’s Annual Advanced Peace Education Skills Training in Europe: Non Violent Communication
25th November - 2nd December 2007
A training for experienced activists: volunteers and staff.
more…
19/08/2007
Call for a new Tech Team Member
The SCI International Tech Team is looking for one or more new members...
The Tech Team have recently launched the new website, and are now working on finalising and improving many features, including the technical aspects of hosting. They also monitor and develop the functioning of the admin site and camp search engine.
Now a small team- Thomas Splettstoesser, Mihai Crisan and Morgana Thomas, and the IS Office LTV Adina Basarim - they are searching for people to volunteer to support them in the technical elements of their work.
Fundraiser Vacancy at the International Secretariat
Service Civil International (SCI) is looking to hire a fundraiser at its International Secretariat in Belgium for 30 hours per week.The fundraising officer will further develop and coordinate the implementation of the SCI fundraising strategy in the framework of SCI’s Strategic Plan.
Peace March in Bangalore
