Deadline: 31 January 2011 (applicants from partner countries for the programs in Poland, Germany, Great Britain)
Open to: volunteers from: Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Czech Republic, Russia, and USA
Requirements: minimum age to participate is eighteen, there is no maximum age limit
Benefits: accommodation, food and pocket money (310 EUR/month in Germany), cost of transportation, insurance, cost of visa, four seminars during the year of service, language courses
Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) or Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste, is a German peace and volunteer service. ARSP offers long-term and short-term volunteer programs. In the long-term program approximately 190 volunteers are currently serving in 12-month assignments in social service and educational projects in Eastern and Western Europe, Israel, and the United States. The short-term program is comprised of about 400 young people each year who volunteer for two to three weeks in summer camps, working at memorial sites, on Jewish cemeteries, and in social service programs. ARSP is committed to combating racism and anti-Semitism, and to supporting peace.
Application Information
In the field of long-term volunteer services we currently offer four different programs:
* the Program in Germany for volunteers from our 13 partner countries – for 12 months,
* the Trilateral Program – for 12 months: – in Great Britain for volunteers from Germany and Poland – in Poland for volunteers from Germany and the Ukraine
* the International Program in a choice of 13 countries for volunteers from Germany – for 12 months,
For people from Germany only we propose a mid-term voluntary service (for 3-6 months) in Israel. You can get more information about this program here.
Depending to your home country as to the program, the deadlines and application forms for application are different.
Applicants from Germany
All the information on the application process for volunteers from Germany is only available in the German language. If you are not from Germany, you can apply for our program in Germany.
Applicants from Partner Countries
– Applicants from partner countries may apply for a volunteer position in Germany.
– Applicants from Poland may apply for a position in Germany or in Great Britain.
– Applicants from the Ukraine may apply for a position in Germany or in Poland.
Please send your application to the ARSP office in your country by January 31st, 2011 (Addresses of the ASF regional offices). If there is no office in your country, send it to the ARSP office in Germany.
The application is an opportunity for us to learn about you: Where you come from, what experiences you are bringing with you and what you would like to do as a volunteer. All information will be kept confidential.
A completed application should include the following (you can download the necessary forms as PDF from the official website):
* the application form, completely filled out and signed
* a resume (including educational and work and/or volunteer experience)
* a personal statement (a description of your current life situation, personality, experiences, the events in your life that have influenced you the most, etc.)
* the answers to the 6 application essay questions
* Two references (questionary forms)
* Four passport photos (Please write your name on the back)
Projects
The work of ARSP volunteers includes:
* Social Support for Elderly People
* Social Support for People with Disabilities
* Work with Socially Disadvantaged People
* Historical and Political Education
Requirements
The minimum age to participate is eighteen. There is no maximum age limit.
We do not expect trained professionals or social workers, even when in some projects certain qualifications or abilities are required. We expect individuals who are prepared to open themselves up to new experiences: meeting and working together with other people, getting to know other’s backgrounds, opinions, work athmospheres, beliefs, and thoughts. Experience working together with other people as well as an interest in politics and social work are prerequisites which make the situations that occur in your project and the project country more manageable.
Benefits
ARSP and the project partners offer the following benefits to the volunteers:
* Accomodation (a simple single or double room in an apartment)
* Food and pocket money (310 EUR/month in Germany)
* Cost of transportation (bus, tram, subway)
* Insurance (medical, accident, and liability insurance)
* Cost of visa
* Four seminars during the year of service
* Cost for language courses and course material up to 250 EUR for introductory language courses
Find our more about the program on the official website.