Diaspora volunteers and international development : an autoethnographic research project

Date

2013-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD)

Abstract

The Diaspora Volunteering Program (DVP) capitalizes on the potential for development offered by the transfer of knowledge and skills through diaspora members. This autoethnographic research examined the process of DVP and its role in international development. There are sufficient examples and models to ascertain the unique contributions of diaspora volunteers to international development: the volunteer journey needs minor adjustment; the cost of sending diaspora volunteers is comparable to that of international volunteers; and returned diaspora volunteers’ positive impact on the hostland and homeland countries continues even after they have left their formal volunteer assignment.

Description

Keywords

ETHNOGRAPHY, DIASPORA, VOLUNTEERS, GUYANA, ETHIOPIA, CANADA, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER, DEVELOPMENT PERSONNEL, GLOBAL, GLOBAL SOUTH

Citation

DOI