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 10-15 volunteers on each workcamp. Each project consists of 4-5 Korean participants (Including 2 Korean camp leaders) and 6-10 international participants. 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) except for particular organizations.
    
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.

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 city 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 residences are one of the key factors supporting Korea’s society. Every year, the host opens 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 and create new dynamics in the programs through 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, etc. Participants should be active to introduce their own cultures such as foods, dance and songs. Through this project, participants will also learn how to run a youth project and how to work in a large team.

Accommodation and Food: Rooms in the education center /.Meals are provided and Self-catering.
Leisure Activities: Visiting historic place in Gongju
Location and Terminal: Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do / Gongju Bus Terminal
Requirements:Active participation in outdoor activities. High interest in 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. The host organization is a local children care center. Since most of the parents will be working, the children will come to the center after regular school hours and spend time in the center to do home works, learn basic English, join in extra activities such as sports, watching movies, swimming in lakes, etc.

Work:There are two main activities during the project. One, the participants will become a group teacher. They will introduce their traditional culture to the 30 local children 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. Two, participants will conduct voluntary service to help the locals with manual works such as weeding, potato picking, etc.

Accommodation and Food:In the local children center / Meals are provided
Leisure Activities: Hiking in the mountain, swimming in lakes and visiting historical places
Location and Terminal: Yeongwol, Gangwon-do / Jecheon Bus Terminal
Requirements: Requested to have an interest in youth and creative ideas

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 long to solve depopulation since this area is getting low population especially teenagers and twenties.

This year, the host, Jinan Youth Center, has prepared the program where participants will join in the youth camp to develop the global competencies of local youth by bringing a dynamic international culture and programs. Participants 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: PParticipants will join in farming works to help the local people in village in Jinan. Also, they will conduct the activities with local children in the center related with their own cultures such as languages, traditional dance and games, songs and so on.

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

Busan is the 2nd 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 during the camp. It could be physical work such as helping assembling or mobilizing the structure and could also be preparing for the public exhibition. The artists are excited to work with international young people.

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

Baekje is one of ancient kingdoms in Korean history. This kingdom is 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.

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 for contributing to the cultural development in the ancient East Asia. The host, Donggang Middle School, aims to promote the importance and value of the Baekje Historic areas to local people and volunteers from over the world and raising its awareness together with the students of the middle school.

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 countries. In addition, they will have the chance to know more about the importance of world heritage and also share 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. To promote the importance of environmental conservation, the host, Goyang Youth Center is has plans to organize and operate campaigns to raise the awareness while having some hands on activities within the swamp.

Work: 'Janghang Swamp' was 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 to help elders and to decorate the local village such as mural painting, renovating houses, farming, etc. Participants 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 the local village and maintain houses and facilities for elders who are disadvantaged economically.

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

Miryang often spelled Milyang is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Miryang is known around Korea for the Miryang arirang and for the view from the Yeongnammu pavilion. Because of its high prominence as a tourist destination, many people continuously visit Miryang all year round.

Because of a very high difference in development of Upper Miryang and Lower Miryang, the city is facing a heavily unbalance in terms of development and economically despite many tourist visiting the city. And in order to balance the unbalanced, Miryang Regeneration Support Center is conducting many activities in order to improve environment for residents and preserve the nature simultaneously. Together with the host, participants will help residents to renovate the city while interacting with the locals.

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

Accommodation and Food: TBC / Self-catering within the group
Location and Terminal: Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do / Miryang Train Station
Leisure Activities: Visiting famous place in Miryang
Requirements: Volunteers are requested to have an interest of manual work and some knowledge on city regeneration.

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 due to the mountains and rivers around. Hence, 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 programs in the projects are quite open to participants although there will be various and exciting activities in the river, mountains and outdoor facilities. Therefore, participants are required to bring many 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 instruments 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

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