ICVolunteers

ICVolunteers (International Communications Volunteers) is an international non-profit organization specialized in the field of communications, in particular languages, communication technologies and conference support.
ICV headquarters are based in Geneva (Switzerland) but it has offices and permanent representation in other countries, including France, Spain, South Africa, Mali, Japan and Brazil.
The mission of ICVolunteers is to serve as a knowledge crossroads and platform to:
• Create opportunities for development and commitment on personal and professional levels through volunteerism.
• Support -- through direct action and networking -- partners in implementing social and educational programs.
ICV’s topics of interest include international volunteering, communication, multilingualism, multiculturalism, active citizenship, environment, new technologies and media.
ICV was originally created to respond to event management needs in the most cost effective yet professional way, using the skills of experienced volunteers.
Its team therefore is specialized in the carrying out of conferences, congresses and events. The acquired experience (more than 400 international events) allows it to guarantee a network of professional service providers.
The modus operandi consists in providing one or several professionals according to the needs and the list of tasks established. ICV recruits, trains and coordinates volunteers for social, humanitarian, scientific and environmental non-profit events and conferences.
Some of the events ICV worked for:
• Geneva Health Forum (GHF)
• World Conference Against the Death Penalty (WCADP)
• Global Humanitarian Forum (GHF)
• United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
• World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
• World Knowledge Dialogue (WKD)
• World Cancer Congress (WCC)
• World AIDS Conference (WAC)

Development and networking projects
ICV, being an international platform based on volunteering and high level skills in the field of communication, new technologies for media, environment and active citizenship, has been developing new trends for international partnership and cooperation.
New Technologies and media
Cyber-volunteers are volunteers who put their professional or academic experiences acquired in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as their human qualities, to use for the benefit of NGOs and non-profit associations and cooperatives. The Cyber-Volunteers Program was initiated in 2005 under the patronage of UNESCO Switzerland. Since its launch, more than 200 volunteers have expressed their intention to participate in one or other of the ICV projects. The program offers volunteers the opportunity to gain experience while sharing their skills. Through the use of cyber-volunteers, partner organizations have the opportunity to become acquainted with new techniques and to transmit them to others. http://www.icvolunteers.org/index.php?what=vol&id=136
Languages and multiculturalism
MigraLingua is a programme which aims to accompany immigrants who have arrived in a country where they do not master the local language. It assists migrants in their daily tasks, in particular those linked to school and education.
ICVolunteers fosters linguistic support which allows immigrants not only to overcome their reluctance to invest in some areas of their social environment, but also to develop their desire and ability to become active citizens in the host society. Such a service enhances social cohesion and stability in the community by promoting trust, the resolution of conflicts and collegiality. Feelings of exclusion and isolation, whether real or perceived, are found to be reduced.www.migralingua.org.
Environment

GreenVoice is a project started in 2007 and has been running until 2011, it aims to raise environmental awareness and promote its protection. Its activities range from solidarity campaigns, tree planting initiatives and environmental education sessions to multimedia projects such as videos or documentaries. This initiative is open to all spheres of society such as: governments, private companies, associations and ordinary citizens, with a special focus to local youth colleges and high schools.
Partners included City of Geneva, Republic and State of Geneva, UNEP, SIG, Posterjack, Cité du Temps, Kodak, SEVE, La Libellule, Le Respect, Net Léman, Solemyio, Arboretum Aubonne, public and private schools of the Canton of Geneva, National Office of Forestry France, City of Ferney-Voltaire, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ain, Earth Focus, participation of Swiss renowned photographers and ICV’s worldwide network (/images from 60 countries), several photo galleries.
http://www.greenvoice.info/
ETIC is a project coordinated by the ICV in partnership with other stakeholders, it is implemented in Senegal and Mali (Sahel Region), with the support of Fonds Francophones des Inforoutes. It aims to provide tools and training components to small farmers and herders to be able to sell their products. Through the creation of this portal and a series of training courses for field connectors (youth, women, community radio journalists), the ETIC project aims to provide knowledge for efficient and effective farm management. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are the core of the project, used through a participatory approach.

Continuous education

ICV is now looking to expand its activities through European funds in the field of Youth, Learning, Continuous education and European Territorial Cooperation.