KVT’s annual Fall meeting on Tue 28th November at Peace Station

Toiminnanjohtaja on 6.11.2023

Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Fall meeting on Tuesday 28th of November at 5:30pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) in Helsinki.

The Fall meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual activity plan and budget plan for 2024 and choosing the chair and board members for 2024. Read more about the board member applications.

The annual meeting is open to all, but only members of KVT can vote. Please make sure you are a member before the meeting. Invitations will be sent to members directly, so if you have any doubts, make sure your contact details are updated too.

KVT signs umbrella organization SCI’s statement for peace in Gaza

Toiminnanjohtaja on 26.10.2023

Kuvassa SCI:n, CCIVS:n ja ICYE:n logot sekä teksti "We call for an immediate ceasefire in GazAa"

We follow with sadness the escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel. Our hearts go out to all families and individuals who have suffered losses. We condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel and its civilians, just as we condemn Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians. Violence against civilians is never acceptable.

We also want to highlight the decades-long roots of the conflict, in which Israel has occupied and controlled Palestinian areas and violated international agreements and Palestinians human rights. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is not a conflict between two equal parties.

We therefore call:

  • upon the Israeli authorities to reach an immediate ceasefire and urgently allow humanitarian support for Gaza, including restoring water, fuel and electricity.
  • upon Hamas to stop the indiscriminate attacks towards unarmed civilians.
  • upon the international community to take the necessary responsibility and put strong pressure on the Israeli government to reach an immediate ceasefire and urgently allow humanitarian support for Gaza.
  • upon all parties to start a genuine peace process.
  • for civil society organisations and governments all over the world to speak out strongly against all forms of racism and antisemitism.

As peace organizations, we stand for non-violence and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Peace does not come overnight, but it requires continuous and active work and people dedicated to peace work. However, the first step must be to end the destruction and violence, end the occupation and ensure fair treatment for the Palestinians.

Read the full statement on the website of our umbrella organization Service Civil International (SCI).

This week we also celebrate International Disarmament Week. As the UN Secretary General has stated, “…disarmament and arms control have played a critical role in preventing and ending crises and armed conflict. Heightened tensions and dangers are better resolved through serious political dialogue and negotiation—not by more arms.”

The Peace Union of Finland has put together some tips on how you can help (in Finnish) through peaceful means and support the Palestinians in Gaza.

Join KVT’s board for 2024!

Hanna Rask on 1.10.2023

Would you like to get to know how a small NGO operates? Do you wish to have a greater impact on what KVT is doing? Join our board for 2024!

KVT has worked for peace through grass-root level voluntary work already for more than 70 years. On our voluntary workcamps we bring together people from different backgrounds to contribute to a common cause and to learn from each other, which we believe helps to create understanding and combat harmful stereotypes and prejudice. This grass-root level peace work is based on ideas of cooperation, equity and promoting of active citizenship.

KVT’s work is planned and coordinated by our board that consists of 10 to 12 active volunteers. As a board member, you will learn about KVT’s activities and peace work on both local and international level, get experience of how a board of a small organization operates, and get to do meaningful voluntary work in inspiring company. In addition to ‘traditional’ board activities, you will also get to participate in different events, trainings and seminars.

The board meets about once a month, either in person or online depending on the board members’ preferences. It is also possible to attend the in-person meetings online if needed.

The board is open to people with all levels of NGO experience; whether you have years of experience in different NGOs or are just beginning to learn about the field, you are welcome as you are. Tasks are divided among board members according to everybody’s own interests, and you don’t need to know everything beforehand. The most important that you are interested in having your impact on KVT’s work, share our values and are ready to commit to be an active part of the board.

If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact the chair person Hanna Rask () to provide a short introduction of yourself, of how well you know KVT and why you would like to join the board. The new board members will be elected in our annual meeting on Tuesday, November 28th.

Are you already familiar with KVT and board work, and into broadening your experience of both?

We are also looking for a chair person and two vice chairs for 2024! Some of the tasks of the chairs are chairing of board meetings, preparing the meetings together with the executive director, representing the board as an employer, coordination of the annual plan of action and annual report, and closer follow-up of KVT’s finances together with the executive director. The chair person will be elected in the same annual meeting on November 28th, and the new board will select the vice chairs at the beginning of the year. Contact Hanna for more details!

Join KVT Volunteer Weekend on September 30th and October 1st!

Toiminnanjohtaja on 29.8.2023

Ohoy KVT volunteers and supporters! 

Did you do a workcamp or long-term project during the summer? Are you a former KVT activist and would like to find yourself back in the beloved KVT community? Are your friends and family sick and tired of listening to your stories about your volunteering project? Or are you interested about international voluntary work? Worry not, KVT’s legendary Volunteer Weekend is here again!

What’s to come is two days of awesome program, chilling in great company and, of course, wonderful food! Whether you already know us or are a new volunteer, all are welcome.

Come meet old friends and get to know new ones!

What?

A two-day community event at the Peace Station in Helsinki: with the aim of getting to know KVT, other volunteers and share experiences about volunteering and peace work in Finland and abroad. On Saturday we will visit the Ukrainian aid center, evaluate last year’s projects and learn more about non-violent communication.

On Sunday well spend time in nature and then come back to the Peace Station to hang out and make some button pins for ourselves and for KVT fundraising. You can attend one day only or come for the whole weekend!

If you come farther away and you need a place to sleep in, please let us know in the registration form and we’ll see if we can arrange a couch to sleep on.

For whom?

For KVT members, alumni, volunteers and everyone interested in KVT activities. You are welcome to join us whether you have only just gotten to know us or have been active for a while – or even if it has been some time since you last saw us.

Where and when?

Saturday-Sunday September 30th-October 1st
Rauhanasema (Peace Station)
Veturitori 3
00520 Helsinki

Program (changes possible)

Saturday September 30th

Breakfast 9:30, 10:00 onwards the program starts

  • Evaluation of past year’s projects in small groups
  • Visit to the Ukraine aid center in Vallila
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer experiences from near and far – come join our activities!
  • Nonviolent Communication workshop

Starting from around 18.00 chilling and hanging out, possibility to watch a documentary, sauna, etc.

Sunday October 1st

around 11.00-14.00  

  • nature trip in Viikki and picnic (possibly birdwatching, at least partly potluck lunch, time to be confirmed)

around 14.00-16.00 

  • hanging out and making button pins at the Peace Station

Sign up

Sign up to the Volunteer weekend at the latest on September 25th 2023 through this form. 

Tell us whether you’ll join us for one or two days and if you need a place to sleep in. It’s possible to being donations to the Ukraine aid center – we’ll let you know what might be needed later.

See you soon!


KVT’s annual Spring meeting on Tue 18th April at Peace Station

Toiminnanjohtaja on 25.2.2023

Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Spring meeting on Tuesday 18th of April at 5:30pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) in Helsinki.

The Spring meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual report and financial statement of 2022. The annual meeting is open to all, but only members of KVT can vote. Please make sure you are a member before the meeting. Invitations will be sent to members directly, so if you have any doubts, make sure your contact details are updated too.

KVT’s summer: workcamps still open for applications!

Järjestökoordinaattori on 7.1.2023

picture with a backpack and red rubber boots on a road, blue sky

With the picture above, we wish everyone a wonderful summer! The picture was taken by our camp leader Jonna on a way to the Tuusula camp in June.

Summer is a busy time for KVT but some of our activities are on a break during the summer holidays. However, it is still possible to join work camps this summer so do stay in touch or make an appointment. Here you can find all the available camps: https://workcamps.sci.ngo/icamps/

Summer picnic Wed 24.8. at 5-8pm in Helsinki

Toiminnanjohtaja on 16.8.2022

iloisia ihmisiä, ulkona, istuu nurmikolla

Come start the fall season and KVT’s 75th birthday celebrations with a summer picnic. At the picnic you can meet both KVT board members and other volunteers. You can also bring a friend along to meet us.

Place: Rauhanasema (Veturitori 3), close to Pasila railway station in Helsinki

This picnic will be organized as an international potluck gathering, but we offer coffee, tea and some small sweets. Please bring something with you, or just drop by for a coffee. You can also bring a music instrument, a game or photos your volunteer experiences. Let’s have a fun and relaxed picnic together!

To Spain this summer? Become part of Green Diversity

Järjestökoordinaattori on 7.6.2022

Green Diversity Spain

Caring about climate justice, telling my story and getting active? Are you 18 – 30 years old? Do you want to travel to Spain in July? YES! Then apply to become part of the Green Diversity project. 

‘Green Diversity?!’ is a project that aims to equip you with the necessary tools to be visible and be heard with your claim for global climate justice. With your story, you can inspire other young people to speak up themselves. If you care about climate justice and about telling your side of the story, we invite you to our Storytelling Lab in Logroño, Spain, from 18th to 23rd of July 2022.

At the Storytelling Lab, you will meet young people and learn more about different perspectives on climate justice. We will get creative and practice different ways to share our stories and ideas. You will work on building your own personal story and a team to establish a community to strengthen climate justice. The world needs young people who want to raise up their voice and participate/ get involved in climate justice issues.

The costs related to the activity (travels, meals, accommodation on shared rooms, etc.) will be covered by the project Green Diversity through the Erasmus+ programme. All the activities will be implemented on accessible spaces, using non formal techniques and in a suitable lodging to ensure an appropriate attendance and participation of any person.

Complete this form for registering on the selection of participants.

Open doors at KVT on Thu June 2nd

Toiminnanjohtaja on 1.3.2022

Come meet us and the world of international volunteering! You can ask us about volunteering options, exchange stories or just pop in to say hi.

How wonderful would it be to meet new and old volunteers now that the world starts to open again! KVT starts having open doors again after a long while. Come to our office on Thursday June 2nd at 4-6 pm. Come as you are: we will offer coffee and tea and good talks.

If you are a new volunteer you can learn about different ways to participate and hear stories from others. If you have participated with KVT before, you can share your memories with us. You can come to the office at any point during the open doors time. Our office is located in the yellow wooden building Peace Station in Pasila, Helsinki. Street address is Veturitori 3. Come to the entrance at the side of the building closest to Pasila station, ring buzzer that says KVT and then come up the stairs to the second floor. Looking forward to seeing you all!