Founded in 2001, BVDA is a recognised society of the University of Bristol Students’ Union as well as being a registered charity (1093476). It is solely run by student volunteers with an advisory board of trustees.
Our vision is to encourage students to make a difference in developing countries through overseas volunteering.
Our aims can be summarised as:
These aims underline every decision and action that BVDA takes. However, we hope these are just rough guides and in reality we can achieve much more.
As a charity we are realistic to the issues facing the developing world and we are not naive to think that all can be solved at an individual level. We are committed to the view that 'every little helps', believing that there is a responsibility for all of us to act in whatever way we can.
The responsibility we have as a society and as a charity is not adopted lightly and we are constantly exploring the issue of sustainable and responsible intervention in International development and aid.
We provide students studying in Bristol with the opportunity to work on some of the most effective development programmes. Working alongside our NGO partners and communities in the countries we are based in, we set out to achieve practical changes to the lives of the host communities or seek to offer alternative and innovative approaches to community development.
Further, we aim not only for the sustainability of our projects in the communities involved, but also in the volunteers themselves by encouraging them to continue their work in the charity sector and to promote the principles we believe in.
These aims are monitored and re-evaluated every year to ensure that BVDA is not only acting within our aims but also that it is still appropriate and within everyone's interests for BVDA to work towards these goals.
Our vision is to encourage students to make a difference in developing countries through overseas volunteering.
Our aims can be summarised as:
- To work in partnership with Non-Governmental Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and local volunteers in developing countries.
- To aid the self-development of a community by providing financial assistance, physical labour, education and training where appropriate.
- To provide opportunities for University of Bristol students to acquire, develop and share skills alongside local participants in developing countries, and to work in an atmosphere of cultural exchange.
These aims underline every decision and action that BVDA takes. However, we hope these are just rough guides and in reality we can achieve much more.
As a charity we are realistic to the issues facing the developing world and we are not naive to think that all can be solved at an individual level. We are committed to the view that 'every little helps', believing that there is a responsibility for all of us to act in whatever way we can.
The responsibility we have as a society and as a charity is not adopted lightly and we are constantly exploring the issue of sustainable and responsible intervention in International development and aid.
We provide students studying in Bristol with the opportunity to work on some of the most effective development programmes. Working alongside our NGO partners and communities in the countries we are based in, we set out to achieve practical changes to the lives of the host communities or seek to offer alternative and innovative approaches to community development.
Further, we aim not only for the sustainability of our projects in the communities involved, but also in the volunteers themselves by encouraging them to continue their work in the charity sector and to promote the principles we believe in.
These aims are monitored and re-evaluated every year to ensure that BVDA is not only acting within our aims but also that it is still appropriate and within everyone's interests for BVDA to work towards these goals.
