KVT’s policy regarding the coronavirus
KVT Finland board has in its meeting on 23 April decided to suspend sending volunteers to projects abroad as well as all projects in Finland that require physical participation until 31 July.
The leading principle in KVT’s actions is responsibility and in this situation we cannot responsibly promote international or even national mobility. We don’t want to expose our volunteers or the communities we work with to any risk of contracting the virus. In many countries and regions the healthcare system is already burdened and accessing services is limited. We don’t want to put any extra burden on healthcare by encouraging volunteers to travel in Finland or abroad. By avoiding traveling and mobility in general we will also protect those areas and communities where the coronavirus has not yet spread.
The board and working groups are instead planning activities that could be done safely online. These plans include an evening to share workcamp memories, a workshop on ethical and responsible volunteering, international coffee breaks and KVT’s info evening. We will give more information on these events on our website and in our social media channels. We will also share initiatives from our partner organisations in Finland and abroad in which you can participate online.
We will still follow the pandemic closely both in Finland and elsewhere in the world and we also take part in regular discussions within our international network Service Civil International (SCI). We will continue to publish all future decisions on our website and in our social media channels. SCI also has a website where they give information on all common decisions and practices the network makes.
If you have any questions on KVT activities or decisions, please contact KVT office ().