Impact on Volunteers

UCDVO’s year-long Volunteering and Global Citizenship Programme, and activities across UCD are having a very positive impact on participants.

The year-long programme provides a rich opportunity for volunteers to participate in the local community, embark on a transformational journey and learn so much about themselves as global citizens. The programme has influenced future areas of study and provides a stepping stone for returned volunteers to move into positions of leadership, on the board of UCDVO and within the UCDVO Student Society. Over 1,700 students, staff and alumni have participated in the UCDVO Volunteering and Global Citizenship Programme since 2003. Check out Stories of Change, a showcase of eight UCDVO alumni as a celebration of their achievements and their commitment to positive change.

The Annual Forum, Development Film Series and evening courses (Be the Change and Skills in Development Education and Solidarity in Action) support participants to strengthen their capacity for critical reflection with a deeper understanding of the links between change and power, and the interdependence of local and global.

In 2019, UCDVO in collaboration with Comhlámh, carried out a survey to examine the longer-term impact and effectiveness of the volunteering and development education programme.