Leaders from volunteering agencies around the globe meet at Northumbria University for international conference

Over 140 delegates from more than 80 different organisations travelled from 40 countries for the prestigious annual International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations (IVCO) conference hosted by Northumbria University this year.

Representatives from a diverse range of international institutions, NGOs, research centres and government departments gathered in Newcastle upon Tyne for the event from 9 to 13 September.

Each year the conference is organised by the International Forum for Volunteering in Development, known as Forum, and takes place in a different location to bring together leaders from volunteering agencies, researchers and practitioners from across the world.

The IVCO conference provides a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and learn from one another about challenges and opportunities currently facing the volunteering in development sector.

IVCO 2024 was, for the first time, hosted by an academic institution. This reflects Northumbria’ status as a leading centre for expertise on volunteering in humanitarian and development settings and also highlights the importance of cross-sectoral dialogues in achieving change. Researchers from Northumbria University’s Centre for Global Development collaborated with Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development Workers and Volunteers, to host delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, alongside practitioners based in the North East of England.

Dr Bianca Fadel, a Research Fellow at Northumbria who led the coordination of this year’s conference, explained: “After many months of planning, brainstorming and teamwork, we couldn’t have been prouder to welcome so many delegates from across the volunteering and development sector to our City Campus in Newcastle upon Tyne.

“IVCO 2024 focused on ‘Building and Sustaining Connections for Change: Volunteering for Solidarity’ and challenged us all to reflect on and question relationships of solidarity in volunteering, prioritising convivial spaces to tackle challenging issues and learn from each other’s experiences.”

Dervla King, one of the conference co-organisers and Programme Manager at Comhlámh said: “IVCO 2024 provided us with a vital opportunity to bring practitioners, thinkers and leaders from around the world together to explore what volunteering for solidarity can and should look like. Our time at Northumbria University was invaluable in helping develop and deepen mutually supportive, lasting relationships, which will enable our community to envision and shape more socially and environmentally just futures.”

Professor Louise Bracken, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Northumbria University, and Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, welcomed leaders and representatives of grassroots organisations alongside those from agencies operating globally, including Peace Corps, Swedish Red Cross, United Nations Volunteers, VSO and France Volontaires.

Practitioners took delegates on a learning journey from Asia to Africa, learning from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Waker Welfare Action Association, as well as the National Agency for Volunteerism in Togo, Habitat for Humanity Zambia, and many others actively working in these regions and beyond.

North East England organisations, such as COCO Charity, Sangini, Connected Voice and the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland created connections between local and global volunteering, while the team from Bensham Grove Community Centre in Gateshead and the Relationships Project, helped everyone understand what it means to be a Geordie.

IVCO 2024 concluded with a Research Policy Practice and Learning (RPPL) day, promoting roundtable discussions on ethical and impactful volunteer research and practice, also allowing further networking opportunities for around 70 leaders and decision-makers who attended the conference.

Matt Baillie Smith, Professor of Global Development and Dean of Research Culture at Northumbria University, said: “We thank the participants who travelled from near and far to be with us. Their energy, passion, and commitment to volunteering and development were truly uplifting. It was a pleasure to facilitate the conference and witness the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences from such a diverse and inspiring group.

“Together, we’ve deepened our understandings of how volunteering can build new connections, challenge the status quo and enable meaningful, lasting social change in an ever-changing world, and laid the groundwork for even greater collaborations in the future.”

James O'Brien, Forum’s Executive Director, said: “This year’s IVCO was unique in its shape and format, providing valuable insights and knowledge not only during the convivial days of the conference, but also beyond, through provocative Think Pieces and materials available online in different languages, furthering our efforts to strengthen collaboration and increase impact in the volunteering and development sector. We look forward to IVCO 2025 in Cambodia.”

Discover more here about Northumbria’s research expertise, knowledge exchange and learning on volunteering, humanitarian crises and development.