E-Book, Englisch, 272 Seiten, EPUB, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 228 mm
The Promises and Pitfalls of Global Health Volunteering
E-Book, Englisch, 272 Seiten, EPUB, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 228 mm
Reihe: The Culture and Politics of Health Care Work
ISBN: 978-1-5017-0384-3
Verlag: Cornell University Press
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)
Most people assume that poor communities benefit from the goodwill and skills of the volunteers. Volunteer trips are widely advertised as a means to "give back" and "make a difference." In contrast, some claim that health volunteering is a new form of colonialism, designed to benefit the volunteers more than the host communities. Others focus on unethical practices and potential harm to the presumed "beneficiaries." Judith N. Lasker evaluates these opposing positions and relies on extensive research—interviews with host country staff members, sponsor organization leaders, and volunteers, a national survey of sponsors, and participant observation—to identify best and worst practices. She adds to the debate a focus on the benefits to the sponsoring organizations, benefits that can contribute to practices that are inconsistent with what host country staff identify as most likely to be useful for them and even with what may enhance the experience for volunteers. Hoping to Help illuminates the activities and goals of sponsoring organizations and compares dominant practices to the preferences of host country staff and to nine principles for most effective volunteer trips.