Sourced from: http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2011/pr110531.html
In a recent announcement The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has revealed plans about its partnership with IBM and CDC Development Solutions aimed at increasing the number of employee volunteers at U.S.-based corporations by providing required support to local governments, small businesses, and civic groups in emerging markets abroad.
This initiative will enable the employee volunteers to become highly valued “citizen-diplomats,” providing skilled service and valuable, practical advice to societies worldwide that are looking to improve local economic opportunities through their health and education systems, technology infrastructure, and urban planning and development.
Moreover, different corporations that are interested or already into international volunteerism programs will be provided with the resources so as to make their projects more effective. As part of the alliance, a self-sustaining virtual “Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism” (CEICV) will be established. Using the website of this virtual center as a platform, the companies will be able to exchange best practices, success stories, and timely issues to improve the quality of their services. By the end of the 2-year pilot period, the center will be self-sustaining, funded by membership fees or other sponsorships.
USAID and CDC Development Solutions will provide guidance to members looking to align their volunteerism programs with places and local governments that are most receptive to corporate assistance.
IBM will share its extensive experiences with large scale international corporate volunteerism, providing access to its inventory of best practices and technology experience.
“USAID is proud to embark on our first alliance for international corporate volunteerism with IBM and its longstanding partner CDC Development Solutions,” said Bambi Arellano, Counselor to USAID. “The Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism will provide recipients of USAID support with new resources to grow and thrive. It is our hope that these resources will drive innovation and allow us to achieve a greater return on investments as we push harder toward achieving the millennium development goals.”
The CEICV will have three key goals:
– To enhance sustainable development efforts by leveraging the skills and expertise of corporate volunteers to provide pro bono services to NGOs, small businesses, and governments in key countries
– To enable companies of all sizes to start and expand international corporate volunteer programs. These will enable their employees to provide needed assistance while developing leadership skills and identifying new ways for their companies to create shared value in emerging markets
– To track the development impact of the volunteers’ engagement and to create best practices for international corporate volunteerism programs worldwide.
