EUROPE - Poland, Switzerland

Switzerland - SCI

LTV - ICM Conference Administrator, Bern
LTV - Mandat International, Geneva
LTV - Center for asylum seekers in Bex
LTV - Center for asylum seekers in Leysin
LTV - Community Don Camillo
LTV - Abbaye de Fontaine-André

ICM Conference Administrator
Theme of the project: Peace and disarmament
Location: SCI office in Bern
Work start: 09-19-2005
Work ends: 12-16-2005
Application deadline: 05-20-2005
Decision date: 06-15-2005
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: English
Local language: German and French
Short description: The International Committee Meeting (ICM) is the general assembly of SCI International. This most important SCI meeting will be held in December in Switzerland. As Conference Administrator you will be highly involved in the preparation and in the carrying out of the meeting.
We expect about 70 delegates, observers, staff and volunteers at this meeting, in the Peace village of Broc. The meeting will last from 8th to 12 December. The days before SCI Switzerland is organising at the same place an international seminar about the strategies of collaboration between east and west.
Work: As Conference Administrator you are together with a team of volunteers and staff in Switzerland responsible for the organisational and technical aspects of the conference, like: communication between International Secretariat (IS Antwerp) and office in Bern, providing the participants with the necessary information, administration of the visa procedure, administration of the sleeping places, reception of the participants at the ICM etc.
You can participate in SCI activities (weekends, seminars) according to your interests. You'll co-operate with three people from the staff and many nice volunteers. We will pay your travel costs and organise a place to stay. You'll receive pocket money and work four days a week.
Requirements: Good English, German and/or French is useful. Experiences in organisational work. Capable to work under stress. Experience with SCI very welcomed.
Vols working in the project: 3 staff members
Food: provided but organised by yourself
Accommodation: Normally a room in a living community
Insurance: SCI Insurance
Pocket money: 250 CHF plus 450 CHF for food per month
Homepage: www.scich.org

Mandat International (welcome centre for non governmental organisations)
Theme of the project: North South solidarity
Location: Bellevue (Geneva)
Work start: 07-01-2005
Work ends: 12-15-2005
Application deadline: 04-30-2005
Decision date: 05-20-2005
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: English and French
Local language: French
Short description: The Welcome Centre for Non-Governmental Organisations and Delegations aims to encourage the participation of non-governmental delegates at international conferences held in Geneva and to create a place of exchange between delegates from different geographical regions and fields of work. The Welcome Centre gives priority to delegates coming from least developed countries (LDCs) and developing countries. By helping delegates in their daily tasks and reducing their accommodation costs, we hope to restore more equity in North-South relations and turn Geneva into a truly democratic forum that is accessible to all.
Work: 40 hours per week - the volunteer’s work falls into 3 categories (in order of importance): 1. Help to run the Welcome Centre: cooking a meal once a week for delegates (10-16 people) , shopping, occasional cleaning, shuttle driving, etc. 2. Help to welcome delegates: check-in, administration, support, and eventually organization of cultural activities. 3. Participate in the elaboration and follow-up of projects in the area of international cooperation.
Requirements: be autonomous, responsible and sociable, driving licence required, working experience and a few years at university an asset. English and French essential, Spanish an asset
Food: provided by the Welcome Centre
Accommodation: a single room in the Welcome Centre
Insurance: SCI insurance
Pocket money: 200 Swiss francs per month + bus card + half fare train pass for at least 6 months volunteering.

Center for asylum seekers in Bex
Theme of the project: Refugees and ethnic minorities
Location: Bex (Canton of Vaud)
Work start: 07-18-2005
Work ends: 12-20-2005
Application deadline: 05-16-2005
Decision date: 05-31-2005
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: French and English
Local language: French
Short description: The center for asylum seekers in Bex can host 165 asylum seekers from various origins including families with children. The center is located
near the Alps. Four social assistants, for clerks and one permanent worker are working in the center. The center is run from Fareas, foundation for asylum seekers in the Canton of Vaud.
Work: the main tasks of the volunteers will be: life sharing, helping the asylum seekers in the daily life, organising recreational activities, helping the center team. The main task will be the organisation and development of recreational activities for kids but also for the asylum seekers (e.g. sport, cultural and educational activities, etc.). The volunteer will work 40 hours per week and will be asked to work during the weekends.
Requirements: to be very motivated, autonomous, self-reliant, responsible and interested in asylum seekers issues. Project languages: French and English. Period: 6 months or more, starting and ending period flexible
Food: paid
Accommodation: private room in the center, kitchen and toilets shared with the asylum seekers
Insurance: SCI Insurance
Pocket money: 200 Swiss Francs per month + bus card and half fare train pass for at least 6 months volunteering
Important remark: apply 3 months before the starting period and join a detailed curriculum vitae

Centre for asylum seekers in Leysin
Theme of the project: Refugees and ethnic minorities
Location: Leysin (Canton of Vaud)
Work start: 2005-07-18
Work ends: 2005-12-20
Application deadline: 2005-05-16
Decision date: 2005-05-31
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: French and English
Local language: French
Short description: The center for asylum seekers in Leysin can host 80 asylum seekers from various origins including families with children. The center is located
near the Alps. Two social assistants and one permanent worker are working in the center. The center is run from Fareas, foundation for asylum seekers in the Canton of Vaud.
Work: the main tasks of the volunteers will be: life sharing, helping the asylum seekers in the daily life, organising recreational activities, helping the center team. The main task will be the organisation and development of recreational activities for kids but also for the asylum seekers (e.g. sport, cultural and educational activities, etc.). The volunteer will work 40 hours per week and will be asked to work during the weekends.
Requirements: to be very motivated, autonomous, self-reliant, responsible and interested in asylum seekers issues. Project languages: French and English. Period: 6 months or more, starting and ending period flexible
Food: paid
Accommodation: private room in the center, kitchen and toilets shared with the asylum seekers
Insurance: SCI Insurance
Pocket money: 200 Swiss Francs per month + bus card and half fare train pass for at least 6 months volunteering
Important remark: apply 3 months before the starting period and join a detailed curriculum vitae

Community "Don Camillo"
Theme of the project: Ideology and spirituality
Location: Montmirail (Thielle) near Neuchâtel
Work start: 2005-07-01
Work ends: 2005-08-31
Application deadline: 2005-05-15
Decision date: 2005-05-31
Total number of volunteers: 2
Project language: French
Local language: French and German
Short description: Don Camillo in Montmirail is a Christian retreat centre in the French speaking part of Switzerland. The community receives groups and individuals for retreats, courses and schooling. The main purpose is to show ways to a Christian every day spirituality.
Work: all the volunteers work during the day, e.g. 8 hours per day between 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. There are many works to do, some related to the guesthouse (kitchen aid, cleaning, etc.) and a lot of renovation work because the old houses have to be maintained. The practical work has also a social aspect : Don Camillo is providing work and support for people in difficult stages of their lives. The volunteers will be working with those people and will help to establish a good surrounding.
Skills: you are willing to share our work and you are interested in working within a Christian background. It is not necessary to be a committed Christian; and Don Camillo’s main issue is not to evangelize people.
Accommodation: private room, toilets and showers shared.
Pocket money: 200 Swiss Francs per month
Insurance: SCI Insurance

Abbaye de Fontaine-André
Theme of the project: Ideology and spirituality
Location: Neuchâtel
Work start: 07-15-2005
Work ends: 10-15-2005
Application deadline: 04-30-2005
Decision date: 05-15-2005
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: French and/or German
Local language: French
Short description: The Abbaye de Fontaine-André is a course and guesthouse. The Abbaye has its own farm and is located in a beautiful area above the lake of Neuchâtel. From here, you have a great view of the lake and the mountains (the Alps). The Abbaye can be reached from the center of Neuchâtel: 10 min bus ride plus a 15 min walk through the forest. Around 12 people (between 3 and 70 years old) live and work in this open abbey.
Work: Help in the kitchen, household (providing for guests), farming and gardening. 8 hours of work per day on 5 days a week.
Requirements: Basic French (Swiss German is predominantly spoken in the Abbaye); self-reliant worker, be prepared to live as part of the community, a balance between very busy periods and rest.
Food: provided in the abbaye
Accommodation: Basic single room with shared bathroom
Insurance: SCI insurance
Pocket money: Swiss Francs 100 (1st month), 150 (2nd) and 200 (3rd).