European Voluntary Service Opportunity
The year 2006 saw G.A.A.E.C. opening its doors to a number of international volunteers, providing them with international working experience and enriching the association with a new and dynamic multicultural component. Within the European Union’s European Voluntary Service (EVS, part of the YOUTH program), G.A.A.E.C. offers young European citizens the opportunity to complete a long-term voluntary service (from 8 months to a year) in its Athens office under a project called “Listen to us – Young European citizens/Aristoteles”. This project aims at empowering young people therefore empowering communities at a cultural, educational and economic level. Our organization gives the opportunity to international volunteers to take part actively in several local, national, and international activities endeavouring to develop their European and International citizenship awareness, to promote Youth involvement, to sustain integration and to emphasize intercultural relations.
GAAEC is accredited as sending and host organization for the European Voluntary Service (refrence number 2005-GR-20) which is a program of YOUTH in Action, Action 2 finansed by the European Union.
In 2006, G.A.A.E.C. proudly hosted volunteers from Hungary, from Italy, from The Netherlands and other countries. We are now glad to announce that from next May, we will host a volunteer from Portugal for 8 months and many more volunteers will be hosted in our organization because of the success of this program!
WHAT ARE THE VOLUNTEER’S TASKS?
Part of our dynamic working team, our volunteers actively participate to all organisational aspects of several national and international activities, such as IIPES, Kernels of our future, the 52nd General Assembly of ATA, the International Meeting of EURODEFENSE, The Euro-Mediterranean Journalism Institute and the Fellowship program on International Security and Cooperation – the contribution of a new generation. The responsibilities of the EVS volunteers include: Organisation of regular events; Edition and running of the G.A.A.E.C. e-newsletter and website; Organisation of YOUTH and EVS presentation events to local youth groups; Research and publication of articles related to issues of European citizenship in the young population and publicising international volunteering to NGOs and Networks. Special issues and projects such as gender involvement can be implemented depending on volunteers' interests. The opportunities given to volunteers are going to make them confident about their organisational and management skills and offer them great experience in a democratic environment and help them to fulfil their future dreams more easily.
The volunteers have to enjoy communicating with people, be cooperative, sociable, friendly and fluent English speaker. They have to have basic computer knowledge, be able to promote the European Voluntary Service, be practical and have organisational and management skills. Priority will be given to people interested in cultural development, European integration, and youth's contemporary issues including educational advancement. Interest in gender issues, especially related to education and International Security, is welcomed. Accommodation will be provided in a private apartment in the centre of Athens and the volunteer will share the room with another volunteer.
For more information about the project “Listen to Us – Young European Citizens/Aristoteles” and about the European Voluntary Service, visit:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/youth/program/sos/hei/hei_form_en.cfm?HEID=34000084101
If you are interested, please send us your CV, motivation letter and sponsor Organization as soon as possible to: education@gaaec.org or to the following fax number: +30 210 8654 749 and we will advise you for the next step!
Looking forward to welcoming you in Athens!
“If you are planning to apply for an EVS I can only encourage you to do so! During my stay in Greece, I learned so many things, I made so many friends and I gained so many experiences that it would make a very long list. If you want to come to Greece, I can promise you that you will live it not just watch it. The program at GAAEC was challenging, improving and it provided a snapshot of the world of the euro-atlantic integration, the work GAAEC is doing. My involvement with the Greek youth and the other international volunteers was fascinating; I had a lot of fun with them during my free time, while I also learned some Greek. Returning to Hungary I could use my new skills so as to continue my studies in a higher level. If I was offered EVS again I would accept it.” Attila, Hungary
“Interning at the Greek Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation has been a whirlwind of new experiences for me. I did not know exactly what to expect when I came to Greece, and I was pleasantly surprised by the range of possibilities that a relatively small organization such as GAAEC can offer young interns. Most activities are related to project management, and this makes for an intense and dynamic office environment. From day one, I had the opportunity to become involved in core activities of the Association, and this can only be described as immensely fulfilling. The various subjects that are dealt with within the organization offer insights into the international arena and civil society, and the professional network is enormous – a great way of interacting with people from different (and, in my case, unknown) countries and cultures! Of course, all of this is not handed to you on a silver plate. Hard work is expected, as is flexibility; this is not your normal 9-to-5 job! Every day brings something new, different, and unexpected… GAAEC is part of multiple networks, organizes conferences and educational programs, and tackles pretty much every aspect of any project, so diversity is guaranteed. Dedication and a certain degree of maturity are other characteristics that are valued in a GAAEC intern, not to mention a sense of humor! After all, when stress knocks on the door, it is necessary to be able to put things into perspective. With the right attitude, GAAEC will open many doors to enthusiastic interns. You will not only learn about international events in the broadest sense of the term – you will learn about yourself! I have discovered a whole new side of myself at GAAEC, delving into international relations and developing organizational skills… I am convinced that my internship will continue to influence me.
To sum up: if you are up for a challenge, up for making a contribution, up for a new environment, and up for a rewarding experience: intern at GAAEC!" Niels, The Netherlands
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