About the Initiative on International Volunteering and Service
As the need grows to increase dialogue and cooperation between the United States and people of different countries worldwide, the Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service seeks to explore ways in which the culture of volunteerism can help enhance global understanding and security. The initiative has an ambitious goal—to double the number of Americans that volunteer overseas by 2010.
The three-year initiative was launched in June 2006 and comprises a coalition of more than 70 groups, including corporations, non-governmental organizations, leading universities and government agencies, who work in partnership to encourage more Americans to volunteer internationally. The initiative, led by David Caprara, Director and Nonresident Fellow at the Brookings Institution, seeks to improve service quality, capacity and positive impacts in communities throughout the world.
The initiative will achieve these goals through four distinct areas of operation and strategy:
- Assessment of international service
- Public policy analysis and recommendations
- Building Bridges Coalition and public engagement
- Corporate sector engagement
If you are interested in learning more about the Initiative, please contact volunteering@brookings.edu.
View a list of the Steering Committee Members
Learn about the Building Bridges Coalition