VIDA
Related Issues:
Global poverty;
Page views : 3408
0 comments | Share your experience
Why do we exist ?
The VIDA Program is Australia's newest international volunteer program. VIDA places skilled Australian volunteers in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA volunteers work with local counterparts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in the communities in which they work through skills exchange, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
VIDA is funded by the Australian Government’s overseas aid agency, AusAID, as part of the Australian Volunteer Program. VIDA is managed by Austraining International in collaboration with CARE Australia and CECI/WUSC (Canadian international volunteer agency).
What do we do ?
VIDA sources volunteer positions from organisations in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA calls these volunteer positions ‘Volunteer Assignments’ and they are advertised on the VIDA website.
VIDA believes in responding to the needs of partner countries and ensures that no volunteer placement replaces local staff. VIDA also works in line with the Australian Government’s overseas aid program priorities when sourcing volunteer assignments.
VIDA volunteer assignments have long term sustainable development goals. VIDA does not send volunteers in response to emergencies.
What opportunities do we have for young people ?
Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18+ are eligible to apply.
Other Stuff
VIDA currently sends volunteers to the following countries in the Asia Pacific region:
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- East Timor
- Fiji
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Nauru
- Philippines
- PNG
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
VIDA may expand operations in future years to countries including Burma, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
VIDA is reviewing the possibility of sending volunteers back to East Timor in late 2007.
Assignments can be from 1 month to 3 years in length. Short term assignments are 1-12 months in length. Long term assignments are 18-36 months in length. VIDA places 80% of volunteers in long term assignments and 20% in short term assignments.
Assignment length depends on the needs of the Host Organisation and is outlined in the assignment description when a volunteer assignment is advertised on the VIDA website.
VIDA places volunteers with organisations in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA calls these organisations ‘Host Organisations’ or ‘HOs’. Host Organisations (HOs) are government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), educational institutions and private companies who host a volunteer for the duration of an assignment.
