ABSTRACT

International development volunteering is a potential route to returned volunteers’ engagement in social action on development issues after placement. Using data from a two-stage qualitative study with returned Voluntary Services Overseas volunteers, and by considering the pre-conditions and motivations for social action, this article shows that although returned volunteers commit to social action, they face challenges to engagement. Motivated by deepened, critical understandings of development, they reject some forms of action, whilst other action they value proves problematic and does not sustain. Barriers include how others respond and the lack of meaningful opportunities provided by organisations at home. Despite these challenges, some returned volunteers develop alternative, sustainable ways of engaging that have greater direct impact on development. This is significant in informing how organisations support returned volunteers (RVs) in taking action.

摘要

国际发展志愿服务是返回的志愿者在安置后参与发展问题的社会行动的潜在途径。本文使用来自归国志愿服务海外志愿者的两阶段定性研究数据，并通过考虑社会行动的前提条件和动机，本文表明，尽管归国志愿者致力于社会行动，但他们面临着参与的挑战。出于对发展的深入、批判性理解的推动，他们拒绝某些形式的行动，而他们重视的其他行动被证明是有问题的并且无法维持。障碍包括其他人如何应对以及国内组织缺乏有意义的机会。尽管存在这些挑战，一些返回的志愿者开发了替代方案，对发展有更大直接影响的可持续参与方式。这对于告知组织如何支持返回的志愿者 (RV) 采取行动具有重要意义。