Organization for voluntary actions

IWO is a non-profit and non-governmental organization established in 1999 to promote world peace, global citizenship, youth and community development and cultural exchange through international voluntary service. We are an Executive committee member of CCIVS (Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service) at UNESCO, Paris, a member of NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia) and a member of Alliance(Alliance of European voluntary service organizations).

Our visions

We believe that we can promote world peace by contributing to mutual respect and capacity for peaceful coexistence among all countries. We offer youth of all countries the opportunities with international voluntary service projects to understand cultural differences and diversity of each society. We believe that youth is our bright future in this world.

Our activities

Our International Voluntary Service Projects offer young people the opportunity to participate in community-based projects in over 70 countries worldwide. The projects differ enormously ranging from nature conservation, restoration, education and construction to projects that are more socially based including work with adults and children with special needs, teaching or organizing youth/children's holiday schemes. Our main activities include.

         GLOBAL Education

• Growing and training youth and volunteers
• Leading a new paradigm in the field of non-formal education
• Organizing international voluntary service projects
• Building intercultural programs
• Arranging international conferences and seminars
• Learning and understanding diverse culture

The main purpose of IWO STV and LOVE projects is the so-called 'Glocalization' which is to bring the world to the country and get country opened to the world. Hence, the projects may enhance the cultural interchange between the local resident and international volunteers and also positively influence the host organization and local community by actively fulfilling the missions of each project.

• To let local people understand other countries and cultures by building the friendship with volunteers.
• To help international volunteers understand Korean culture and learn to respect the differences.
• To empower local people, support civil associations and non-governmental organizations.
• To encourage volunteers to have an active attitude toward responsibility for the environment, youth and society.
• To promote voluntary service activities in cooperation with local communities and NGOs.

1. Number of Volunteers & Duration
   - IWO hosts 12-15 volunteers on each workcamp. It consists of 4-6 Koreans (Including 2 camp leaders)
      and 7-10 international volunteers. It can be changed depending on each project.
   - Duration of the project is about 2~3 weeks.
    
2. Project Coordinator
   - Each project has 2 camp leaders who are trained by IWO. They are also volunteers that prepare the project with IWO.
      They will coordinate the group to achieve the goals of each project.
    
3. Accommodation & Food
   - Meals and accommodation are provided during the project by the host organization.
      Volunteers may cook for themselves or be served by the host organization.
   - Participants are responsible for keeping the accommodation clean during a project.
    
4. Free Time
   - Participants are responsible for organizing their own free time with camp leaders in holiday.
      Host organization will advise volunteer with information of local attractions.
    
5. Insurance
   - IWO provides insurance for accidents only during the project (No dental clinic, illness, 3rd party’s liability compensation).
      It covers only a percentage of the cost (co-pay) at maximum 40% according to the insurance regulation
      for foreigners in KOREA.
      Therefore, Participants MUST bring their own insurance for health, travel and
     the 3rd party’s liability compensation.
    
6. Transportation
   - Korea has convenient public transportation network over the country; therefore, all participants are advised to arrive
     at Incheon International Airport regardless of their project site. By taking a subway and an airport bus,
     participants can conveniently arrive from the airport to Seoul.
     There are many convenient public transportation systems from Seoul to each project sites.
    
7. Participation fee
   - There is no participation fee on STV(Korea workcamp).
    
8. General Qualifications
   - All volunteers are required to speak English.
   - Participants should be motivated and be open-minded to the Asia and local culture such as manners and foods.
   - Generally, participants between age 19 and 35 can be accepted.
   * Over 35 years old, sending organization has to counsel with IWO before sending an application.
   - Volunteers should understand that this is NOT vacation trip and cheap travel
   - No illegal drugs in Korea.

International workcamps are a unique form of voluntary service. International workcamps offer a positive and practical way of bringing people from different countries and cultures to live and work together on projects. These projects benefit local communities and other voluntary organizations working for a more equitable and peaceful society. Workcamps help to foster tolerance and understanding, to break down barriers and reduce prejudice and stereotyping. Workcamps are designed to support and encourage local initiatives that will be continued by the local community on completion of the workcamp.

The International workcamps offer an excellent non-formal educational experience for people who are open to learn. It involves a period of intensive living for two or three weeks with a group of international volunteers and while doing so, participating in the local community through carrying out voluntary work in the frame of projects proposed by local organizations and/or communities.
In organizing International workcamps, organizations try to work on three different levels at the same time;

On the first level, a group of individuals with very different geographical, cultural and social backgrounds are brought together as a workcamp-group. They form a temporary community for the entire period of the workcamp as they work together on a project and live together. During the workcamps they get to know each other, cook food together, organize leisure time, agree on how the work in the project should be done and so on. In many circumstances, the conditions of accommodation are very simple ones and often do not allow very much privacy.

People can easily imagine that in such a setting and with such variety of participants, conflicts arise. They usually do: about how to spend leisure time, about how a task should be carried out, etc. One of the aims of participating in exercising methods of non-violent conflict resolution and learning to respect different views and cultural backgrounds.

On the second level, it can be seen that the workcamp-group also interacts with the local community in which the project is based. In this way, they have, as a group, an impact on the local community where they temporarily live. In most countries, local people often look at volunteers who have come from abroad to work voluntarily on a project with curiosity. It is not always easy for them to understand why anybody would do this! In this way, international workcamps also help to broaden the perspective of local people. In most cases, the group will integrate with the local community and this will result in talking together, exchanging ideas, discussions and, enjoying local culture together.

On the third level, the practical work done is of utmost importance. Though it might be our primary goal to bring people from all around the globe together for giving them the opportunity to experiment on peaceful co-operation and non-violent conflict resolution, this is not the main reason why a local project or organization would like to have a workcamp. Often, their first concern is that a specific project with benefit to the local community should be completed. Secondly, it will be their concern how the project is completed, whether by an international group of volunteers or by someone else. So, it is important that the volunteers are dedicated to carry out the work for which they came to that particular local community.

In a workcamp…
Young people come together from every corner of the world, including Eastern and Western Europe, North Africa, Canada, and the USA, as well as Asia, Australia and Africa. They live together for two to three weeks, have fun and work on an important community project. Participants come from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Volunteers are unpaid, but receive free room and board. All participants are between 19 and 35 years of age. Workcamp provides the opportunity to live with people from all over and to experience and discuss differences between cultures.

The groups…
Consist of 10-20 participants and one or two group leaders. The role of the group leader is to ensure that the camp runs smoothly and to minimize language barriers. Please do not expect the group leaders to be your animators during the three weeks. Group life is democratic and therefore all social activities (i.e. the trips, excursions etc.) are decided by the group members with the guidance of the leaders. Volunteers are asked to respect group leaders’ experience, as well as local customs and traditions. Remember that you are a guest of the community or host organisation and that they are looking forward to meeting you!

Self-organization…
Is important to us. We expect you to take responsibility for the group’s everyday-life,
such as organization of free-time activities and meal-preparation. Of course the group leaders will support you wherever they can. Camp life offers the opportunity to discuss topics, such as gender and cultural differences, national and international politics, and environmental issues.

Free time…
There will be many opportunities to relax and have fun with your fellow volunteers! Freetime activities may include swimming, sports, hiking, music, theatre, etc. Use your imagination and bring ideas with you! You will also be able to make excursions to towns or famous sites in the area around the workcamp, as well as getting to know the local people.

Housing accommodation…
Which we organize together with the project supporter, is usually basic. In most cases, the participants stay in empty schools, youth centres, forest huts, meeting centres or sometimes tents. We make sure that there is enough room available for experiencing camp life. The project is led by the organisation for whom the group works. This offers contact with the local residents and another look into their lives. The project supporters are responsible for the organization of the work project and provide tools and leadership.

Food…
Is normally organized by the group itself. Two participants per day are responsible for buying food and cooking for the group, based on a set budget. You will, however, be asked to help with preparations everyday. Possibilities include pizza, pasta, couscous, paella, etc. In some camps you may have a portion or all of the meals prepared for you.

How long do I work…?
Usually about 35~40 hours per week, 5~6 days a week. The 1~2days are usually free on a week.
But it depends condition of local site and host, volunteer should respect and understand flexible situdation of local site.

Please be aware…
A workcamp is not only a vacation. Of course you will have enough time to do trips and relax. On the other hand, we expect you to contribute your energy and your skills to the success of the workcamp project.

This project is held by Geumjeong-gu office of Busan Metropolitan City. With them,the Seodong where is a place aiming at energizing local traditional market and mingling daily life with art will have activities to make the market being alive through international volunteers. Seodong has historical significance itself. After breaking the Korean-war, many refugees moved to the Busan located in Southernpart of Korea. Especially, Korean government forced the refugees move to the Seodong area, and it remains still very congested one.

Geumjeong-gu want to dynamize this unstructured village and local-friendly art space with various programs including global citizenship education and related to cultural and artistic activities to the local children and residents through various ways of activities. Although Busan is the second biggest city in Korea, compared to the capital city, opportunities to take a chance to get global citizenship education and cultural experience program are still not common.

Work: Participants will operate global citizenship education to local children through cultural exchange program. And also participants will do some manual work in the traditional market to give more active atmosphere of them.

Accommodation and Food: In a university dormitory / Meals are provided
Leisure Activities: Visiting famous places in Busan
Location and Terminal: Geumjeong-gu, Busan / Busan Central Bus Terminal
Requirements:Volunteers are requested to have an interest of local society and youth.

Wando is an island which is about 500km (4.5 hours by bus) away from Seoul to south. There is a bridge to mainland so that people can commute conveniently by transportation. And also Wando is famous with seafood and beautiful landscape. However, there are youth depopulation issues because may of youth move to the bigger city nearby for better education condition these days. In result, international exchange and experience is rare to these local children as well.

Therefore, this project focuses on providing new experience to local youth & children through international volunteers such as diverse cultures and education
programs in cooperation with the host organization. The host organization is the local children center which is providing social and educational service for children and youth in Wando.

Work:Participants will organize Global Cultural Camp. There will be 20-30 local children in a camp who don’t speak English very well. Participants will develop the whole programs with indoor and outdoor activities such as traditional cultures, sports, choir, drawing, learning workshop and so on. It requires creative ideas and full of energy to get local young people exposed to new experiences.

Accommodation and Food:In the local children center /.Meals are provided and self-catering.
Leisure Activities: Visiting a beach for swimming and famous tourist sites around.
Location and Terminal: Wando, Jeollanam-do / Wando Bus Terminal

Sejong City is located in the central inner area of Chungcheongnam-do, and stretches south-north. Consequently, from ancient times, the current city areas were divided by the Charyeong Mountains and the Geum River into parts of Jeoneui, Yeongi, and Geumnam. However, with the recent road construction, those areas were combined into one. In 2012, by combination of part of Chungwongun and Gongju City, Sejong city become Special Self-Governing City.

Moreover, Sejong Self-Governing City is developed in a short period since this city was designed as new administrative capital in 2003, one of the biggest national agendas. Nevertheless, a town called Chimsan-ri is not developed than other towns. In order to improve environment for residents and preserve the nature simultaneously, ‘Sejong City Urban Regeneration Center’ was made. With host, Volunteers will help residents to renovate this town and interact with them.

Work: Participants will do manual work to renovate old houses and environment of the town and help residents to paint walls and houses. And participants will join some activities to interact with residents.

Accommodation and Food: Guesthouse in Chimsan-ri / Meals are provided and Self-catering
Location and Terminal: Sejong, Chungcheongnam-do / Jochiwon Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting famous place in Sejong
Remark: Volunteers are requested to have an interest of manual work

Chookseosa Temple was founded in 673 during the reign of a King Munmu of Shilla Dynasty. The founder, National Master Ui-Sang, dedicated his life to Korean Buddhism. Chookseosa means where the eagle, a symbol of wisdom resides, and also symbolizes the Bodhisattva. Ven Muyeo, one of the contemporary Korean Seon masters, has devoted himself to rebuilding Chookseosa. He has taught Seon meditation for couple of decades at Chuookseosa.

Seon practice is the journey to perceive a true answer of the question about who I am, where I came from and where I am going to. This project is mainly based on “Temple Stay” programme which is experiencing Monk’s life. You can find more information through official website of Temple Stay.

Work:Participants will clean and renovate in and around the temple. And you will also join in the Buddhist camp for children who come for experiencing temple culture. You will prepare an intercultural learning classes through various methods for the children. You should respect the life style of the temple during the project such as early morning wake ups, attend early morning services, adapt to the sleeping, eating and attitude of the temple. It wouldn’t be easy but it will bring lots of fresh and healthy mind and body.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Accommodation and Food: In the traditional temple house / Meals are provided
Location and Terminal: Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do / Bonghwa Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Trekking the mountain and visiting various historical place
Requirements: Have a respect for temple rules and should enjoy playing with kids.

Gongju is about 150 km (1.5 hours by bus) away from Seoul and located in the center of Chungcheongnam-do province. This city is an ancient of Baekje Kingdom, where brilliant Baekje culture flourished, Gongju is a city of history, culture and tourism. As Korea's local society is aging rapidly and the population is decreasing, the host organization called ‘Chungnam education institute’ is focusing on the youths who are isolated from high education opportunities. The host organization believes that the local is one of the critical factors supporting Korea’s society. Every year, they open a summer school for local youth in order to teach them the value of local and nature.

Work:Participants will join in the summer camp as assistants so that they will create new dynamics in the programs by introducing international cultures.
Participants simply organize and join in every activity of the summer school such as sports days, role play, and international food days with about 40 young Korean youth. The programs in the summer school will be focusing on local community, culture exchange, eco-friendly activities. Participants should be active to be mingled with youth as assistants and also need to introduce their own cultures such as foods, dance and songs. You will learn how to run a youth project, how to work in a large team.

Accommodation and Food: Rooms in the education center /.Meals are provided and Self-catering
Location and Terminal: Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do / Gongju Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting historic place in Gongju
Requirements: Very active participation in outdoor activities. Highly interest to be engaged with Youth

Yeongwol is the cleanest and nature-oriented province in Korea. It is about 200km away from Seoul to the east bound. This project is held in cooperation with the Local Children care center in Yeongwol. It has very easy access from Seoul by express bus so that it takes about 2 hours. The project site is safe and well equipped for the activities and staying.

Work:There are two main activities during the project. In first, the participants will become a group teacher to introduce their traditional culture with around 30 local youth during the project. Participants will have various intercultural activities among themselves with their own ideas. Any kind of activities and ideas from participants are very welcomed such as traditional cultures, sports, play, choir, drawing, learning workshop and so on.

In second, participants do voluntary service with a theme of environment conservation in a local village.

Accommodation and Food: In the local children center / Meals are provided and self-catering
Location and Terminal: Yeongwol, Gangwon-do / Jecheon Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Doing a hike the mountain and swim also visit historical places around
Requirements: Requested to have an interest of youth and local society

Jinan is around 200 km (3 hours by bus) away from Seoul and famous with beautiful scenery. There is the most famous mountain called Mai which looks like
ears of horse and the provincial park in Jinan. It is the first ‘Community Village’ in Korea, which means high recognition of community sentiment’. The residents of Jinan have worked in long time to solve depopulation since this area is getting low population especially teenagers and twenties.

For this time, the host, specializing in youth activities in Jinan, will take place this project. Participants will join in the youth camp which is to develop the global competencies of local youth by bringing a dynamic international culture and programs. Participant will also help physically to decorate local school such as mural painting and do voluntary activities, such as farming, for elders with local youth. In addition, there will be cultural exchange with local youth.

Work:Participants will run the activities related with their own cultures such as languages, traditional dance and games, songs and so on. Participants will also do mural painting to decorate a local school.

Accommodation and Food:Guesthouse near the youth center / Self-catering within a group
Location and Terminal: Jinan, Jeollabuk-do / Jinan Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting provincial park in Jinan and historic place in Jeonju.
Remark: Requested to have an interest of youth and local society

BBusan is the 2^nd biggest city in Korea and it's about 400km (2.5 hours by train) away from Seoul to south. This project is held in cooperation with ‘Art-in-nature’ in Busan. They are specialized with installation art in the village and city. They are interested in reviving the city outlook through public art which is painting, making post, placing the board and benches so on for non-profit purpose. The works will be exhibited in Art festival. The project site is very unique due to its location. It’s a small village in the very modern city but located in the mountain so that there is a nice landscape with nature.

Work:The host organization is planning several events for promoting performance art and public art. They invite some artist for this event from various countries. Participants will assist these artists at the request of them. It could be physical work which is helping assembling the structure or mobile and could be preparing the show place. The artists are excited to work with international young people.

Accommodation and Food:Guest house in Art-in-nature / Self-catering within a group
Location and Terminal: Seo-gu, Busan / Busan Train Station (KTX)
Leisure Activities: Visiting various tourist sites around Busan in free day
Remark: Highly motivated for physical work with artist

The Baekje is one of ancient kingdoms in Korean history. This kingdom located in the mountainous mid-western region of the Korean peninsula and lasted about 700 years from B.C. 18 to A.D. 660. The Baekje historic area has eight archaeological sites dating from 475-660 A.D. including the Gongsanseong fortress and royal tombs at Songsan-ri related to the Ungjin capital Gongju; the archaeological site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong fortress, Jeongnimsa temple site, royal tombs in Neungsan-ri and Naseong city wall related to the Sabi capital Buyeo; the archaeological site in Wanggung-ri and the Mireuksa temple site in Iksan related to the secondary Sabi capital.

In July, 2015, Baekje historic areas became a World Heritage site. UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted a statement of the Outstanding Universal Value(OUV) for the Baekje historic areas the reason why contributed to the cultural development in the ancient East Asia. The aim of this project is promoting the importance and value of the Baekje Historic areas to local people and volunteers from over the world and raising its awareness.

Work:Participants will organize the global culture camp for youth not only to give them awareness of world heritage site but also experience cultures of other contries. In addition, they will be known more about the importance of world heritage but also to teach how the other country treat the world heritage through this project.

Accommodation and Food:shared rooms with other volunteers in the school dormitory /Meals are provided.
Location and Terminal: Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do / Seocheon Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting historic places in Seocheon

Goyang is located only one hour away from Seoul. It is very famous in Korea since contemporary culture and nature become in harmony. There are a lot of natural attractions in Goyang such as, 'Janghang Swamp' or 'Haengjusanseong', Korean Cultural Mountain Fortress.

Moreover, Goyang city received more attention since many places regarding Hallyu(‘the Korean Wave’) are situated in this area, such as MBC Dream Center, one of Korean TV Broadcasting Center, and K-pop Experience Center.

Work:'Janghang Swamp' is designated as 'Korean Wetlands protection’ by Ministry of Environment of Korea in 2006. Since it is prohibited from access for long, a lot of ecosystem still be preserved.

'Goyang City Youth Foundation', specializing in activities and welfare for youth in Goyang, open this workcamp not only to make recognition for ecosystem but also make Global Youth Camp. Participants will organize activities and campaigns for 'Janghang Swamp preservation' with local students.

Accommodation and Food:shared rooms with other volunteers in Dormitory(TBC) Meals are provided.
Location and Terminal: Goyang City, Gyeonggi-do/ Goyang Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting cultural places in Goyang (Goyang Starfield, One-Mount), Visiting attractions in Seoul (Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul N- tower)

Jecheon is about 200km away (2 hours by bus) from Seoul and famous with beautiful mountains around. There are a few social issues in Jecheon regarding caring disabled people and dealing with the aging society. The host organization has been worked for long time to solve these. Therefore, Participants will take part in activities for local elders and disabled people during the project.

Participants will join activities which are to help elders and to decorate the local village such as mural painting, renovating houses, farming. Participant will also help physically and economically disadvantaged local elders by making better living condition. In addition, there will be cultural exchange event with local people.

Work:Participants will also do mural painting to decorate a local village and maintain houses and facilities for elders who are disadvantaged physically and economically.

Accommodation and Food: In the community center / Self-catering within a group
Location and Terminal: Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do / Jecheon Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting historic place in Jecheon, experiencing Korean traditional foods
Remark: Requested to have an interest of local society and youth

Yeongwol is the cleanest and nature-oriented province in Korea. It is about 180km away from Seoul to east bound. However, it is a bit isolated thanks to mountains and rivers around. Therefore, young people have rare opportunities to experience different cultures from outside and abroad. This project is held in cooperation with the Yeongwol Youth Center which has various indoor and outdoor facilities.

Work: Participants will organize the youth camp for the local youth summer camp. The sessions in the projects are quite open to participants although there will be various and exciting activities in the river, mountains and play ground. Therefore, participants are required to bring any ideas and activities to make the programs together.

The project site has various equipment and facilities related with outdoor and indoor activities such as music instrument and sports. Participants are required to like to interaction with youth.

Accommodation and Food: In the youth center / Meals are provided
Location and Terminal: Yeongwol, Gangwon-do / Yeongwol Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting historical places and exploring caves around
Requirements: Interest in outdoor activities, Materials to show your culture

Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty (1392­1910), in a mountainous site 25 km south-east of Seoul. Built and defended by Buddhist monk-soldiers, it could accommodate 4,000 people and fulfilled important administrative and military functions. It is the only fortress that has been used as an emergency palace during a war so it is historically significant.

In recognition of its value, Namhansanseong was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. But, so far it is more famous for a mountain-climbing and driving destination for local residents and visitors. Besides, many people have no idea it is World Heritage site. The aim of this project is promoting the importance and value of Namhansanseong as a World Heritage and preserving it.

Work: Participants will organize the global culture camp for youth not only to give them awareness of world heritage site and know more about the importance of world heritage but also to teach how the other country treat the world heritage.

Accommodation and Food: In the university dormitory / Meals are provided
Location and Terminal: Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do / Seongnam Bus Terminal
Leisure Activities: Visiting Seoul which is the capital of Korea in free time

If you would like to participate in Korea workcamp, please contact your national workcamp or volunteer organization. IWO only accepts volunteers via your national workcamp organization. If you are not sure whether there is a workcamp or volunteer organization in your country, please contact us at (korea@workcamp.org) for the information of your organization. We will try to help you get connected with the local organization near you so that you can participate in our workcamp.

After the acceptance, volunteers will receive an info-sheet regarding the project they selected. The info-sheet will let you know some useful and important information that volunteers must know before arriving at the project site.

* General Qualifications :
- Interest in international volunteering.
- Willing to cooperate with people from diverse background.
- Ages between 19 and 35.
- Able to speak English to communicate in English.
- Highly motivated to achieve the goal of the project.
- Open mind to different cultures.

* Remark :
- Applicants should read “What is workcamp” carefully and be aware of the project aims, life styles and the responsibilities of volunteers.
- There are 4~6 Koreans in each group
- Keep in mind that the purpose of workcamp is not to provide a cheap trip.
- If applications to any workcamps are full, application forms will not be further accepted.
- No illegal drugs in IWO projects are permitted.

• Airport Information : http://www.airport.or.kr/home.jsp
• About Korea: http://www.korea.net/
• Travel in Korea: http://english.tour2korea.com/
• Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: http://www.mct.go.kr/english/index.jsp