We aim to enhance young people’s wider education in the UK and in India, in particular through the promotion of
cultural exchange between the two countries. During the ten years that we have been running, through the work of our
volunteers, we have grown and continue to develop as an organisation. We believe that development, whether in Europe
or India, is about empowerment, capacity building and has to originate from the people themselves.
Development in Action (DiA) has as its main focus development education. We are a non-for-profit organisation, and rely on dedicated volunteers for our activities in the UK.
Aims of the scheme
To enhance young people’s wider education in the UK and in India through our programme which promotes cultural exchange and development education.
Development in Action
We work towards our aim through our Development in Action programme, which is made up of:
- Development in Action placement scheme through which we provide opportunities for volunteers to learn about, and participate in the work of, our various partner organisations in India. Activities include teaching, field work/research, child-care, health education and administrative work. In every placement, the aim is for the volunteer to learn from and with their fellow workers and the local community.
- The volunteer project, where each volunteer is encouraged to produce a project/develop resources during their time in India. This can be in any form that the volunteer feels is appropriate to their material and theme, although at our training weekends in the UK we do suggest different methods and approaches. Currently volunteers are working on activity worksheets, articles, information sheets and photography stretching over a variety of topics such as recycling, solar energy, children’s position in the community and the empowerment of women. Volunteers use their DiA resources and the experiences they have gained from the volunteer placements in India for development education activities in the UK.
- A DIA newsletter which is produced quarterly and is a product of volunteers experiences and knowledge from India, DiA activities in the UK, topical educational development activities in the UK and the voice of our partner organisations in India. The publication aims to facilitate increased understanding of international issues to a broad-based audience.