Volunteer Programs
Volunteering with Crossroads International
Crossroads International’s volunteers make meaningful contributions in promoting women’s rights and supporting community economic development. Crossroaders come from many parts of the world and their work helps increase the capacity of partner organizations and strengthens long-term partnerships between Crossroads, partner organizations in the global South and partners in Canada. Crossroads supports the following exchanges:
North-South Volunteer Placements
Placements support long-term partnerships between Crossroads, partner organizations in the global South and partners in Canada, and build on one another to achieve sustainable, community-driven development goals. Criteria for selection are defined on a placement by placement basis, to meet the expressed needs of the partner organizations we work with in the global South. Placements are varied in their focus, from developing information and communications technology capabilities to supporting the growth of fair trade cooperatives. Volunteers come from all walks of life and all age groups but must be 19 years of age or older.
Québec sans frontières (QSF)
Crossroads International is pleased to offer volunteer placements as part of the Québec sans frontières (QSF) program. Crossroads offers young Quebecers, aged 18 to 35, an opportunity to take part in development projects overseas and to develop personal and professional skills.
Crossroads’ QSF placements are integrated into long-term partnerships between Crossroads, partner organizations in the global South and Canadian partners. The placements expose participants to project management practices and help them acquire career-related experience. Participants work together and live with host families, giving them a chance to learn about the local culture first-hand.
Crossroads’ QSF placements last 75 days and usually occur between mid-May and mid-August. Participants are sent in groups of seven to ten individuals and one team leader. For more information on QSF, visit: http://www.mri.gouv.qc.ca/fr/faire_stage/solidarite_internationale/index.asp
The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)
Crossroads International is pleased to offer North-South placements as part of the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP). IYIP offers young Canadian professionals, aged 19 to 30, career-related experience working with organizations overseas. Interns support Southern partner organizations in a variety of ways and are integrated into long-term partnerships between Crossroads, partners in the global South and partners in Canada.
The program is part of the Career Focus stream of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES) which gives young people the tools and experience they need to launch successful careers. For more information, please visit: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/internships
South-North Placements
Participants are recruited from partner organizations based in the global South. They complete short-term placements with Canadian organizations, usually a Crossroads International partner, working on community economic development or women’s empowerment. The placements provide an opportunity for participants to get to know their Canadian partner first-hand, to learn about Canadian culture, and to meet objectives identified by their organization, such as skills development, joint programming, project planning and networking. Participants live with host families.
South-South Placements
These are short-term placements for staff members and volunteers affiliated with partner organizations in the global South. Participants are placed with partners in other Southern countries or with similar types of organizations offering specific learning opportunities. The placements provide an opportunity for individuals from the global South to gain a broader insight into their field of expertise by working with organizations in other Southern countries. They also support joint programming, communication and collaboration between organizations in the South addressing common issues and developing regional networks.
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