The power of awakening changemakers through mindful volunteering

Date – 14 September 2023
Time – 12:20 – 12:40
Location – Workshop area, CCL

In the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s “Be the Change You Wish To See in the World” we invite the youth travel community to question the traditional concept of volunteering with us and be part of the change, creating meaningful experiences together.

Traditional education is no longer sufficient to prepare individuals for rapidly evolving labour markets and increasingly diverse societies we inhabit. Non-traditional actors have led the new trends in education – including volunteering. Volunteering is a powerful educational tool for personal growth and self-discovery. Engaging in meaningful volunteer activities allows you to step outside of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and develop new skills; it is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the world around you.

Join us for a discussion about mindful volunteering as a trend in educational travel. Drawing from our experience as volunteer coordinators in Ecuador and Argentina over the past 20 years, we have begun to question the meaning of an impactful volunteering experience and we would like to hear from you too. We believe that volunteers should not approach a project with the sole intention of changing the world; they should be open to an intercultural encounter with the potential to change themselves and contribute to a better world. You cannot change the world if you don’t change yourself.