Our Philosophy

Volunteering is a great way to get a new outlook on the world, whether you do it in your home country or somewhere less familiar. There are lots of ways in which you can give your time, energy and skills, so ...

Why is volunteering through International Volunteers for Peace so special?

In IVP we see volunteering as a way of making social change. Getting people from around the world together to do something practical and learn about each other is a great start. But we are also conscious that while we are getting a new outlook, there are people looking right back at us! As an IVP volunteer be ready to ask and be asked; to question and explain your values and those of your society; to share information and to teach and be taught.

IVP activities aim to encourage understanding among peoples and to promote discussion and an appreciation of the problems that different communities face in their struggles for social justice and environmental harmony.

Why do we have peace in our name?

Conflict, struggle, injustice, discrimination, isolation, environmental degradation and destruction threaten peace between people.

All of us know well enough that responding to these problems is vital to our shared global future.

What we want to emphasise is that it is the everyday actions of ordinary people of different backgrounds living and working together that make peace possible.

Acknowledgement
International Volunteers for Peace (IVP) gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of AvantCard and Pat Mackle, Managing Director for production and distribution during June 2009 of 20,000 postcards promoting IVP and featuring the graphic at the left.