Founder Pierre Ceresole Headquarters Edinburgh, Scotland | Focus Peace Area served 80 countries | |
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Founded 1931; 86 years ago (1931) Key people Chief Executive: Amy Blake | ||
International Voluntary Service (IVS), is a peace organisation working for the sustainable development of local and global communities throughout the world. The organisation was formed in 1931 and is a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland. IVS is the British branch of Service Civil International (SCI), a worldwide network of like-minded partner organisations supporting the mutual exchange of volunteers to work on projects of direct benefit to local communities. The International Voluntary Service is recognised by the United Nations Volunteers Programme, as the longest running International Volunteering service in the United Kingdom.
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Guiding Ethos
The mission of the International Voluntary Service is to foster Peace and understanding between peoples and nations through the mutual exchange of volunteers. This ethos is summed up by the strapline 'Volunteering for Peace'.
Formation
In 1931, Service Civil International sent a team of international volunteers to the Welsh colliery town of Brynmawr. The volunteers redeveloped a brownfield site into a public park, which included an outdoor swimming pool.
The Brynmawr redevelopment was the first international project in Great Britain and marked the beginning of International Voluntary Service, shortly after IVS became the first recognised branch of the SCI.
Second World War
In 1939 the UK Government officially recognised Alternative civilian service as an alternative to military service. This policy change led to sharp rise in the number active volunteers.
Peace Education
Since 2011, IVS has delivered Peace Education within UK schools.
European Voluntary Service
The International Voluntary Service is accredited as a sending and co-ordinating organisation for the European Voluntary Service.
Service Civil International
The International Voluntary Service is a founding partner of Service Civil International, a global network of international volunteering organisations.
As a Partner, IVS can send and receive volunteers to and from countries with an active SCI branch.
Frank Judd
Between 1960 - 1966 Lord Frank Judd, Baron Judd acted as the Secretary General of the International Voluntary Service. Lord Judd remains a Patron for IVS