VOLUNTEER IN INDIA

A Brief Introduction

International Volunteers Trust - India^(R) (IVT-India) was founded in January 2004.... the founders of the trust have a wide ranging experience in Inter-cultural programmes, Volunteerism and Social Work / Service.  The Founder Trustees were trained and have also worked for ICYE an International NGO, which has its International Office in Berlin, Germany.  Our President was the Administrator and National Correspondent of ICYE's counter part in India and had represented the Indian counter part as its observer at the Asia Pacific Regional meetings in Bangalore, India during 2000 October and as a delegate in Taitung, Taiwan during 2002 November.

He was elected as the Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator with acclamation during the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting held in Taitung, Taiwan in 2002 November... (photograph from the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting held in Taitung, Taiwan in 2002 November) he represented the Asia Pacific Region at the 23rd General Assembly of the ICYE Federation as Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator which, was held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia during 2003 November.  However he stepped down as the Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator at the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting held in Pattaya, Thailand in 2004 November, since he had stopped working for the ICYE's National Committee in India.

23rd General Assembly of the ICYE Federation held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Being highly motivated and influenced by the activities of ICYE and its aims and objectives, he decided to start International Volunteers Trust - India^(R) (IVT-India), however his friend who was highly interested and was the one who jointly came out with the name of this trust, is not with the Trust anymore.  We look forward to working together in fulfilling our dreams of Inter-cultural education for 'Peace' and 'Unity' among individuals, groups, communities and nations - through Voluntary Work, Work Camps, Adventure Camps and Inter-Cultural Education.

International Volunteers Trust - India^(R) (IVT-India) is a multi-faith, multi-cultural and secular organisation and is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India.  IVT-India is a registered non-profit Trust, registered under the Indian Trusts ACT, 1982.  

IVT-India will network with similar and like-minded organisations not only in India but also around the Globe.  It shall offer young people the opportunity to participate in a program designed to facilitate an exchange among nations as a means to promote Peace, Inter-Cultural Understanding through Cross-cultural learning and intercultural education.  This will be done through direct personal experiences and International Volunteer Work through a network of like minded organisations, co-workers, host families, community development projects, friends and well wishers.

The programme in India will facilitate and promote young people from various countries to discover, explore, learn and experience the richness and diversity of India’s glorious history, cultures, traditions, lifestyles, spirituality, cultural expressions, geography, environment, tourism and of course our unique hospitality.

We have an excellent support base of host families, residential projects, co-workers, friends and well wishers.

IVT-India strives to achieve these aims through intercultural education, voluntary work and International work camps.  IVT-India is structured with dedicated Executive Committee Members, full time staff and groups of volunteers working at the Local & Regional levels.  IVT-India is autonomous and frames its own policies concerning programmes, finances, etc., in accordance with its aims and objectives.

Voluntary work placements are provided in Community Development Projects, Working with Children, Elderly, Mentally / Physically Challenged, Visually impaired, Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Women development projects, Environmental Protection and Education, Health Care, Youth Centres, etc.

IVT-India programme participants will be young people in the age group of 18 to 30 years from different walks of life, who will be recruited and selected by our partner organisations around the globe - regardless of their religion, socio-economic status, caste, creed, gender, language or educational status.

IVT India is:

A program to gain inter-cultural education, Cross-cultural learning and understanding with the commitment to peace and unity.

An International Cultural Exchange Programme, through voluntary work/service and direct personal interactions, welcoming all nationalities, religions, races and ethnic groups with the commitment of breaking barriers

A network of friends all over the world

An educational experience coordinated by our national office with dedicated Executive Committee, co-workers and friends who shall provide the participants with the necessary orientation, training and support