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Policy Brief #160 The Brookings Institution POLICY BRIEF March 2007 Policy Brief #160 Related Brookings Resources Global Service Fellowships: Building • “The Best Diplomats: American Volunteers” Bridges through American Volunteers Opinion by David L. Caprara (January 2007) BY DAVID L. CAPRARA, JOHN BRIDGELAND • “International Volunteering: AND HARRIS WOFFORD Smart Power” Policy Brief #155 s policy-makers search by Lex Rieffel and Sarah Zalud for ways to share the (June 2006) best of America with • “Ending Poverty, Promoting A Peace: The Quest for Global the world, they should start Security” with our international volun- Lael Brainard, Derek Chollet and Vinca LaFleur teers, who embody this Brookings Blum Roundtable country’s spirit of generosity, Report (August 2006) resourcefulness and hope. • “Reaching Out: Americans With the support of Congress Serving Overseas” Lex Rieffel and the Bush Administration, Brookings working paper volunteers can become the (December 2005) first face of America to • Security by Other Means: Global Poverty, Foreign communities in many nations, Cross-Cultural Solutions Assistance and American while advancing concrete Leadership Lael Brainard, ed. initiatives that lift up the lives of the poor throughout the world. Brookings Institution Press To maximize the potential of international volunteering, we propose that Congress establish a program of Global Service Fellowships to To receive a weekly e-mail support American volunteers—nominated by congressional members— about Brookings news, events, and publications, sign up serving abroad with qualifying nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), for the Brookings Alert at faith-based groups, and universities that are committed to advancing www.brookings.edu. peace and development. Initial funding of $50 million would support approximately 10,000 fellowships annually averaging $5,000 each to pay for volunteers’ travel, program costs, and minimal living expenses. In addition, Congress and the White House should work together to double the Peace Corps, authorize and provide support to Volunteers for Prosperity, and increase support of other efforts inside and outside government to enable global service and assess its impact. These efforts will empower a growing coalition of international volunteering The organizations to help reach the goal of 100,000 Americans serving in Brookings developing countries each year. Institution 1775 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. Washington, DC 20036 All Policy Briefs are available on the Brookings website at www.brookings.edu. POLICY BRIEF The role of international volunteer service unique contributions of voluntary organi- in building bridges across growing global zations as a core strength of our young divides has never been more critical to the democracy. In the following two centuries, future of our nation, and global peace and presidents from John F. Kennedy to George stability. Building on the exemplary work W. Bush have recognized that volunteering of the Peace Corps, a growing field of is one of America’s greatest exports. nongovernmental organizations, faith- based entities, universities, and corporate A longitudinal study conducted by Abt service programs seek to help communities Associates for the Corporation for abroad while enhancing the lives of volun- National and Community Service noted teers. In addition to bringing tangible the profound long-term impact of benefits to the people they serve, members extended service in domestic programs of this new cadre of international volun- like AmeriCorps on participants’ civic teers also tend to develop enduring habits engagement. These benefits include of civic engagement and lasting appreci- increased volunteer connections and ation of foreign partners and perspectives. participation in their community, John Bridgeland co-chairs the Brookings This strengthens America’s civil society, knowledge of local community challenges Institution policy working group on International advances public diplomacy objectives such as the environment, health, and crime, Volunteering and Service. abroad, and deepens American under- and personal growth through strengthened He is CEO of Civic Enterprises, CEO of standing of forces beyond our borders. habits of citizenship and service. Malaria No More, and for- mer assistant to the presi- dent and director of the This movement of international volun- Service abroad brings the additional White House Domestic teers could be greatly enhanced by benefit of forging personal relationships Policy Council and director, USA Freedom Corps at the congressional leadership to provide between generous Americans and poor White House overseeing domestic and international America’s volunteers with expanded citizens of foreign lands. While American service. service opportunities that would help volunteers come home with a lifelong improve perceptions of the United States appreciation of the challenges faced by abroad. To maximize the potential of developing countries, citizens of those international volunteering, we propose nations gain personal experience of that Congress pursue a global service American generosity and humanity. agenda centering on a new program of congressionally-nominated Global Service The potential power of these efforts are Fellowships, along with doubling the evidenced in the results of a recent Terror Peace Corps, authorizing and supporting Free Tomorrow poll, which showed a Volunteers for Prosperity, and increased markedly positive change in major Muslim Harris Wofford support of technical assistance and multi- nations’ perceptions of the United States in co-chairs the Brookings Institution policy working lateral exchanges. These efforts will response to humanitarian relief and service group on International empower a growing coalition of interna- initiatives. Polling data indicated that nearly Volunteering and Service. He is a former United tional volunteering organizations to help 60 percent of Indonesians and 75 percent States senator from Pennsylvania and CEO reach the goal of 100,000 Americans of Pakistanis held more favorable views of of the Corporation for serving in developing countries each year. the United States following humanitarian National and Community Service during the Clinton assistance after their tsunami and earth- Administration. He is for- The unique power of volunteer service has quake tragedies. Importantly, this change mer special assistant to President Kennedy for civil been key to the vitality of our nation since in perception lasted beyond the initial aid rights and worked with its birth. In the mid-nineteenth century, and service, underscoring that America’s Sargent Shriver to organize the Peace Corps. historian Alexis de Tocqueville noted the actions can have lasting impact. 2 Policy Brief #160 March 2007 POLICY BRIEF One illustrative international volunteer respond to a call to service meeting example is Kimberly Priebe of critical humanitarian needs and achieving Schaumburg, Illinois, who was recently vital civic diplomacy objectives. honored by USA Freedom Corps for her service as a World Teach volunteer As a centerpiece of this agenda, Congress teaching English in a community college should authorize a new Global Service in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. While serving in Fellowship to support qualifying organiza- Ecuador for one year, Ms. Priebe tions outside of government that have the published columns back home that commitment and the capacity to sponsor described the serious educational needs volunteers abroad to advance concrete of the population in Vilcabamba. After development objectives. Initial funding of reading the columns, the residents of $50 million would support approximately Schaumburg responded by sending 10,000 fellowships annually averaging contributions to establish 100 scholar- $5,000 to pay for volunteers’ travel, ships for young people to attend the program costs, and minimal living Vilcabamba community college. This expense. This is a fraction of the cost of David L. Caprara is support, generated by an American supporting a Peace Corps volunteer for nonresident fellow and director of the Brookings volunteer abroad, will foster benefits and one year. Global Service Fellowships Initiative on International bonds that will last beyond the scholar- ranging from both short-term placements Volunteering and Service, and the former director ships and affect generations to come. of up to six months, to lengthier one year of Faith-Based and assignments can be an effective “on ramp” Community Initiatives and AmeriCorps VISTA, GLOBAL SERVICE both to longer Peace Corps service and a Corporation for National FELLOWSHIPS lifetime of civic engagement. and Community Service. International volunteering and service should be re-engaged with the level of This new initiative, involving government commitment and imagination exhibited by support for individuals in non-profit and President John F. Kennedy in 1961 with faith-based groups, builds on the the launch of the Peace Corps. This successful model created by AmeriCorps legacy should be adapted to meet the at home. AmeriCorps has placed volun- twenty-first century’s unique challenges teers in a variety of civic, community, and of global conflict and human devel- faith-based groups. This has strengthened opment. And it should leverage the the voluntary organizations while also twenty-first century’s remarkable wealth broadening service opportunities well of organizations outside of government, beyond those available through entities such as NGO and faith-based partners, formally
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