What is Leave For Change and The Co-operators?
The Co-operators has participated in the Leave for Change (L4C) program since 2009. It is a unique partnership enabling staff to exchange 2 weeks of vacation and 1 week paid leave, for a 3-week overseas volunteer assignment. The program is organized and operated by Uniterra, Canada’s largest international volunteer program.
The Leave for Change program compliments The Co-operators existing commitment to volunteerism in our local communities and internationally. Volunteer assignments range from using computer skills, accounting or business management expertise, experience in insurance, marketing, human resources, engineering or communications. The Co-operators volunteers will work with local partner organizations and co-operatives in such areas as private sector development, rural development, agriculture, HIV/AIDS, basic education, health and nutrition, youth programming, etc.
For the past 4 years, The Co-operators have sent many staff members to various locations in Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America. This year, they are sending 6 staff members to various developing nations: four are going to Nepal, one to Bolivia, and one to Guatemala.
What is Uniterra?
What is Uniterra?
Uniterra is an international co-operation program managed by 2 non-profit organizations: WUSC (World University Service of Canada) and CECI (Centre for International Studies and Cooperation). They mobilize citizens and organizations to improve social and economic conditions in the world’s most impoverished nations (see map below). Uniterra’s goal is to reduce world poverty by 50%, by 2015.
To learn more about international volunteering, visit www.uniterra.ca
