Comments

Hi Chris, It's an interesting suggestion but I don't think it's a fair assessment of generosity for two reasons: 1. The amount of debt a country has is, in most circumstances, a political decision (they could have less if they raised taxes) and it seems unfair to 'punish' a country and make them seem less generous simply because they have a long run sustainable fiscal policy. 2. Aid as a percentage of total government spending is, as this post shows, low (approx 1%) so it plays no real role in whether a country has a deficit or not. Good, interesting suggestion though.

Hear hear. Les, delighted though I am to hear that you've had resources and expertise enough at your disposal to ensure your UN placement has allowed capacity building across a broad section of the community, I'm not convinced this responds to Ashlee's enquiry about the legitimacy of placing 'volunteers' in agencies that have such resources (material and human) so readily at their disposal. I interpreted Ashlee's comments as seeking some clarity about the overall objectives of volunteer program, and suggesting scrutiny that ensures 'volunteers' aren't simply being provided to well-financed agencies in liu of an affordable staff member. I agree to some extent with your sentiments about ineffective vols justifying a paid holiday, but disagree entirely with your telling insinuation that there could be no real challenges for volunteers working with local organisations. Local organisations can be extremely tough, and effective work is not about charging in with big ideas and disregard for local colleagues. In fact, this may be precisely the view that negates your confident assertion about having done effective, community-wide 'capacity building' in your volunteer role with the UN.

Hi Russell, Thanks for your comment. I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Timor-Leste and to meet many wonderful people there -- it is definitely a country I would return to again happily, despite the challenges. I previously worked in Indonesia for a couple of years, so I have a strong affinity for the region and my understanding and interest was only enhanced by my time in Timor-Leste. I share your frustration on feedback. As for the 'projecctised' approach, it could be an interesting model -- you are almost seeing the volunteer as a consultant in this approach, right? Another system that I've thought could work, particularly in places with many volunteers doing similar work (i.e. communications in Dili) could be to set up skills hubs, where a volunteer with a certain skill (i.e. photography or video) could conduct training and support across multiple organisations on a project basis?

One theme seems to consistently flow through the article and subsequent comments and that is an expectation to see results from an assignment. This is a reflection of the industry's misplaced focus, largely driven by outsiders, on measurable outputs. Capacity building. What does that include? Would Ashlee's six months of wearing down her older male counterpart by persistently presenting herself, presumably, as a capable colleague eventually create a change of opinion in six months or six years time that won't appear evident until the next volunteer or younger local female staff member applies for a promotion? Is that not worthwhile? I think that especially in the 'volunteering' sector in which the capacity building is just as much for the benefit of the Australian 'volunteer' as it is for the local agency results shouldn't be judged solely upon measurable outputs. There are some axioms that we can live by and one of them is that the more intercultural exchanges we have the more trust and knowledge is build that flows through to both societies involved.

Brendan, I have to say I was really impressed by some of the work that Palms volunteers were doing in TL, particularly a couple who were friends of mine. It's very different to the AVID program and has a very different set of incentives for participation. I'm sure it depends very much on finding the right people, as well as receptive, engaged and interested communities.

Thanks for sharing your experience -- I'm glad to hear that you were able to be placed in another more suitable assignment. I think my greatest frustration was that I was unable to get intervention from the ICM (since there was a rotating cycle of temporary ones) to help sort things out. Even when assignments aren't working, at least if there is adequate support then alternatives or solutions can be worked towards.

"young women sent into organisations to ‘build capacity’ of those older than them and sometimes male in organisations or societies with strong hierarchical/patriarchal values, unless someone with some perceived authority intervenes to work through problems or to negotiate the terms of the role and try to define expectations, they often just face roadblock after roadblock." You can add me to your list of testimonies - you've just put into words an experience I've had. Actually most of your posts really resonated with me. And I see that some of the commenters don't fully understand what you've said - sometimes, there are things a person can't solve on their own. No matter their abilities or initiative. Let's all agree that some situations are just bad. I find it terrible the mindset that it's always the volunteers' responsibility and they could always have done more... if you sound the alarm, ask for help, try different strategies, and it's not working, how can you be to blame? I think you have great courage for writing this post and seems like you have processed your experience very appropriately. It's a struggle to not feel de-valued or have diminished self-worth based on a 'bad seed'.

Hi Cy, I would say you need to remember the other perks of Peace Corps -- many returned Peace Corps volunteers are able to attend grad school for greatly reduced tuition and have a range of scholarships available to them. This, along with the career boost from being part of the PC alumni, does create incentives for them to stay on. Sure, they are living on a lot less, but there are benefits for them to reap from making it to the finish line. The level of living allowance is definitely an interesting area for discussion.

SvM - I think you have made a very good point regarding the term 'volunteer'. As 'volunteers' we are often paid significantly larger amounts than our locally engaged counterparts and yet many 'volunteers' act like 'martyrs'. I brought this up with another volunteer and their response was "Yeah, but we are expats and therefore have a higher cost of living". Honestly, if that is the elitist attitude 'volunteers' are going to have, I question how they are going to effectively build the capacity of their counterparts and the organisation whilst giving those around them a good impression of Australia. The bottom line is, we are not volunteers and we are receiving a considerable amount of money which could be used effectively in other areas of the Australian Aid Program. We need to ensure that these 'volunteer' positions are effectively developed and that 'volunteers' are made to be accountable with better performance management from both Austraining and the local organisations. As a recently returned volunteer, I am extremely concerned that Austraining International are following a policy of 'quantity not quality' in the development of assignments and selection of volunteers. It is important to remember that Austraining International is not a not-for-profit organisation and the more volunteer positions they are able to create, the more profit they are able to make. I truly care about the Australian Volunteers Program but since returning and attempting to provide constructive criticism, which as others have mentioned above seems to have fallen on deaf ears, I am concerned for the future of this program and the impression it will give of Australia.

A great article Ashlee, thanks for sharing. I was particularly surprised and disappointed by Austraining's response. This struck me as typical bureaucratic-speak, with almost no substance at all. In particular, no reason is given for the organisation's lack of response in this instance. They don't even assert that Ashlee's private feedback reports were in fact read, which in my mind all but confirms that they weren't. Also, if volunteers are told to be ready to "tear up assignment descriptions", then in my opinion it's highly questionable not to provide enough flexibility for someone like Ashlee to change the terms of her assignment under these circumstances.

Hi Les, That is an interesting comment but I don't think you're being at all fair to Ashlee. And I think you've obviously been very lucky with the development work you've done to date. Otherwise I doubt your horse would be quite so high. 1. A lot of aid work fails to produce sustained development benefits. This is not the same as saying aid doesn't work full stop: some aid does a lot of good, and a lot of aid does some good, even if only in the short to medium term. But sustained improvements are hard. And yet this, I think, is the yardstick that Ashlee is holding herself against here. Which -- to state the obvious -- is not the same same as not contributing at all, which appears to be the charge you're levelling at her. 2. To me Ashlee's post reflects the fact she did take initiative. She decided the the costs of her being there outweighed the development benefits (which, I repeat, is not the same as doing no good whatsoever) and left. Would that other development actors were so ethical and decisive. 3. Have you really never encountered intractable problems in your own work? My reading of Ashlee's post is that the problem she faced really was, owing to its nature, one she really couldn't solve. Given this, the decision she made strikes me as good development practice. And her writing this post is also good development practice -- this isn't 'whinging' it's reflecting and suggesting improvements. Which, I would think, is how we make things better. Terence

I'm currently on assignment and can contribute several points. My placement was disastrous for several reasons, not least because the host organisation had not had active programs for a long time. It was disappointing to me that the organisation was not better vetted by the in country manager before the post was advertised, as there were many warning signs. That said, the in country team have been very supportive in quickly redeploying me to a good organisation where I am able to contribute. I think we need to realise that there are many reasons assignments can go wrong, but better safe guards in the process would certainly help.