International Association of Volunteer Efforts World Conference

We are in Singapore this week for this bi-annual convening.  One thousand leaders from the global volunteer movement gathered to discuss trends and share interesting and inspiring practices.  It has been two and a half years since the last conference that was held in Panama and much has happened in the world particularly with the economy.  Civic engagement is now more important than ever.  I moderated a panel titled “A Landscape of Perspectives.”  My panel focused on the importance of collaboration and how to truly solve some of the world’s most pressing issues we must work together.  In that spirit, the two panelists were from an NGO and a Business representing the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent from Sweden and Samsung, from Korea.  This symbolized the need for governments, non-profits, businesses of all sizes and individuals to work together, putting aside differences to help.  At the Conference we were graced with the presence of the President of Singapore and presentations by the CEO of Standard Charter Bank’s Retail Banking, the head of United Nations Volunteers, the CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, COO of Special Olympics International and the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent.  A full recap of the conference may be found at www.IAVE2011.org.