Overseas voluntary work opportunities

THE OPPORTUNITIES available for volunteering overseas are being showcased at a fair in Dublin today.

Irish Aid’s volunteering information fair in Dublin brings together 23 aid agencies and other development organisations that recruit voluntary staff for work overseas.

With unemployment on the rise, development agencies report a growing interest in voluntary work overseas.

Among those represented at the fair, which takes place in Irish Aid’s information centre on O’Connell Street, are United Nations Volunteers, the Niall Mellon Township Trust and Voluntary Service Overseas Ireland.

As well as hosting information stands, staff from 10 of the organisations will give presentations every 30 minutes between 11am and 3.30pm, outlining their work, the skills they are seeking and the opportunities available.

Minister of State for overseas development Peter Power said Irish Aid aimed to increase awareness of volunteering opportunities and to facilitate the work being done by people in agencies.

“The fact that 23 organisations will come together under one roof on Saturday underscores the co-operative nature of the work being carried out by . . . NGOs and their commitment to responsible volunteering.

“At Irish Aid, we are keen to ensure that people who decide to volunteer overseas get the best information available . . . volunteering can be a worthwhile and enriching experience for both parties. This fair will facilitate that exchange of information and ideas.”

The fair, which is free of charge, runs from 10am to 5pm.