How can I get involved? Everyone has their own unique skills, knowledge and interests which may inform what you go on to do next following an overseas experience. Things to consider when deciding what to do next:
Options for Continuous Engagement within Comhlámh:
• Do I feel ready to engage? If not, where
can I access supports to help me deal with being back home? (Comhlámh can offer support and signpost you to any support services you may need)
• What personal lifestyle changes can I make?
• Coming Home Weekends for returnees
to meet others and share experiences;
• Development Education courses
for returned volunteers;
• What skills do I have that could be
• Involvement in Campaigns,
• Where can I find out more about
• Involvement in volunteer led groups;
useful in awareness-raising locally? the issues I am interested in?
• What are the options to get involved
with my sending agency when I return?
• What are opportunities to get involved
in initiatives in my local area?
• Are there places I can meet
with other returnees who are interested in similar issues?
particularly Trade Justice;
• Meeting other returned volunteers
through our network;
• Signposting to a range of options
to get involved with development education from Ireland;
• Involvement in groups such as the Options
and Issues group, the Trade Justice group, Editorial group for FOCUS magazine.
For more information, visit our website www.comhlamh.org or join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest debates and activity! This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Comhlámh and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
Why action from Ireland? Have you recently returned from being overseas? Are you thinking about what to do next? The following leaflet outlines some things for you to consider on your return to Ireland.
Through globalisation, our lifestyles are affecting people across the world. Many of the underlying causes of poverty and injustice affecting countries in the Global South have roots in global structures which are situated in the Global North. It is for this reason that we have a responsibility to ask questions and make choices locally that will have a positive impact globally.
Ideas of how to engage from Ireland: Ethical consumerism: • Buy local • Find out where your products come from • Reduce your consumption • Boycott certain companies and goods • Buy second hand items
‘One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things’ -Henry Miller
Sustainable living: • Purchase eco friendly products • Reduce your energy consumption • Ethical tourism
So what can I do?
Some of the underlying causes of global injustice and poverty include: • Unequal distribution of wealth • Illegitimate debt and lending to countries
As a returned volunteer, you have unique knowledge, skills and experiences from your time overseas which have a key role to shape change-making from Ireland.
• Unfair trade regulations
You may feel overwhelmed by many of the issues you experienced overseas, and the complexity of these issues means you can often feel like change is not possible.
• Climate Change
However, asking critical questions, learning more about the issues, making the connections to our role in affecting these issues and identifying ways to take action... all add up to a deeper understanding of how to continue your involvement in development from Ireland.
• Unequal global power relations • Activity of multinational companies • Find out more at
www.develompenteducation.ie/5-50-500
“If you feel you are too small to make a difference, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room” - Anita Roddick
• Use environmentally friendly
forms of transport
Raise awareness: • Find out more about the issues • Get involved with development
education activities locally
• Inform others about global justice issues • Join a campaign around an issue • Lobby your local Politician • Get creative to raise awareness