Los programas de voluntariado profesional en el marco de la cooperación no gubernamental, el caso de la Asociación Cultural de Intercambio de Costa Rica
Fecha
2013
Autores
Sandí Díaz, Alexis
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Editor
Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
Resumen
En los últimos veinte años, Costa Rica se ha beneficiado de las distintas modalidades que ofrece la cooperación internacional, entre ellas la ayuda que proviene de organizaciones no gubernamentales, a nivel nacional e internacional, que llevan a cabo proyectos y acciones de bienestar social en comunidades, en diversas áreas, como son la salud, la educación, los recursos naturales, el ambiente y el desarrollo sostenible.
Este estudio analiza el caso particular de la Asociación Cultural de Intercambio de Costa Rica (ACI-CR), organismo no gubernamental sin fines de lucro, dedicado a promover programas de intercambio de voluntarios, desde hace 40 años.
El estudio se realizó con el propósito de identificar los principales obstáculos y necesidades existentes en el ámbito de los programas de voluntariado en Costa Rica; y proponer mecanismos más efectivos en su implementación. En los resultados sobresale la carencia de proyectos estructurados para insertar a los voluntarios en las comunidades; la falta de planes de trabajo, la inadecuada administración y el escaso aprovechamiento de los recursos destinados a estos programas de carácter social.
El trabajo propone la puesta en marcha de un voluntariado profesional y desarrollar acciones estratégicas mediante la ejecución de proyectos o actividades que incluyan procesos de planeamiento, seguimiento y evaluación. Además, se destaca la importancia de considerar la formación académica y el perfil del voluntario y se le ofrezca la posibilidad de trabajar en proyectos relacionados con su campo de estudio, con el fin de aprovechar al máximo su conocimiento y ponerlo en práctica en las comunidades en donde presta sus servicios.
In the last twenty years, Costa Rica has benefited from the different modalities offered by international cooperation, among them the aid that comes from non-governmental organizations, at national and international level, that carry out projects and actions of social welfare in communities, in diverse areas, such as health, education, natural resources, environment and sustainable development. This study analyzes the particular case of the Cultural Exchange Association of Costa Rica (ACI-CR), a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting volunteer exchange programs for the past 40 years. The study was carried out with the purpose of identifying the main obstacles and existing needs in the field of volunteer programs in Costa Rica; and to propose more effective mechanisms for their implementation. The results highlight the lack of structured projects to insert volunteers in the communities, the lack of work plans, the inadequate administration and the scarce use of the resources allocated to these social programs. The paper proposes the implementation of professional volunteerism and the development of strategic actions through the execution of projects or activities that include planning, follow-up and evaluation processes. In addition, it is important to consider the volunteer's academic background and profile and offer him/her the possibility of working on projects related to his/her field of study, in order to make the most of his/her knowledge and put it into practice in the communities where he/she provides services.
In the last twenty years, Costa Rica has benefited from the different modalities offered by international cooperation, among them the aid that comes from non-governmental organizations, at national and international level, that carry out projects and actions of social welfare in communities, in diverse areas, such as health, education, natural resources, environment and sustainable development. This study analyzes the particular case of the Cultural Exchange Association of Costa Rica (ACI-CR), a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting volunteer exchange programs for the past 40 years. The study was carried out with the purpose of identifying the main obstacles and existing needs in the field of volunteer programs in Costa Rica; and to propose more effective mechanisms for their implementation. The results highlight the lack of structured projects to insert volunteers in the communities, the lack of work plans, the inadequate administration and the scarce use of the resources allocated to these social programs. The paper proposes the implementation of professional volunteerism and the development of strategic actions through the execution of projects or activities that include planning, follow-up and evaluation processes. In addition, it is important to consider the volunteer's academic background and profile and offer him/her the possibility of working on projects related to his/her field of study, in order to make the most of his/her knowledge and put it into practice in the communities where he/she provides services.
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Palabras clave
COOPERACIÓN, COOPERACIÓN CULTURAL, COOPERACIÓN INTERNACIONAL, COSTA RICA, INTERCAMBIO CULTURAL, COOPERATION, COSTA RICA, CULTURAL COOPERATION, CULTURAL EXCHANGE, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION