The Talloires Network (TN) and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) are pleased to announce that the pilot program for the 2013 Talloires Network University Volunteer Program, funded by the Santander Group, has now begun.  The overarching goal of the Volunteer Program is to promote global civic engagement and community building through the international exchange of student volunteers within the Talloires Network member institutions. The program aims to instill long-term values of civic engagement and social responsibility in the volunteers such that they continue to contribute to their local communities and apply their experiences wherever they may go.

For the pilot year in 2013, the Talloires Network and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid will select 10-15 universities with special emphasis on South-South exchange within Latin America, Asia and Africa. Universities interested in participating in the program can apply by completing the application form and sending it to both Talloires Network and UAM.

The universities selected to participate will be active TN members and have demonstrated experience with running student exchange programs. The selected university must have capacity to both send and host volunteers. As a host, the university will be responsible for ensuring appropriate placements at volunteer organizations with regular supervision and support of the volunteers. As a sending institution, the university will be in charge of screening and shortlisting volunteer applicants that match the receiving institution’s profile. Both the sending and hosting universities will be expected to maintain regular communication to monitor the progress of the volunteer assignments.

The volunteers must be enrolled students and will collaborate on six-month long assignments, from January-June 2013 or March-September 2013 at a university in a country different from their own. Students will collaborate in activities that promote civic engagement and social responsibility with local communities. The University Volunteer Program is not an academic exchange and volunteers will not enroll in classes at the host university, as they will be volunteering five days a week. When possible, the host university may offer the volunteer opportunities to develop his/her skills and initiatives as a volunteer; such opportunities include seminars, workshops or trainings that may enrich volunteer’s knowledge and civic engagement.

Students will receive funding for travel and will get a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. For the pilot year, 20 students will be selected to participate. Student volunteers will be required to write a mid-term and a final term report to the UAM and TN reflecting on their experience and contributions. The mid-term report will be due at the end of three months; the final report will be due before the student volunteer departs his/her host university. Student volunteers will interact and learn from one another using social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.