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VSO - Sharing Skills, Changing LivesMedia releases > Project PolVol gets MPs volunteering overseas with VSOThis summer’s 12-week recess will be a little different for 11 MPs taking part in VSO’s Project PolVol. VSO, the international development charity, has invited the MPs to undertake voluntary work overseas. But rather than digging wells or building schools they will be putting their knowledge of lobbying to good use, helping to advise community organisations on how to influence government and policy making processes.Project PolVol will see the MPs spending two to three weeks overseas, in 10 countries, joining the 1,500 volunteers currently overseas. Initiated by VSO, Project PolVol not only aims to help VSO’s partner organisations in Africa and Asia by providing them with skilled volunteers, but also hopes to give the MPs first-hand experience of global issues including poverty and HIV and AIDS. VSO’s Project PolVol involves MPs from across the political parties, and MPs who volunteer will be contributing to VSO’s long-term development goals, including education, HIV and AIDS, disability and governance. Judith Brodie, director of VSO UK said: “Our partners will be making use of the MPs’ valuable skills and knowledge in lobbying and influencing policy. The MPs will be working with disadvantaged people in some of the poorest countries in the world, helping them to get their voices heard by decision-makers. We hope their VSO experience will provide the MPs with a unique and valuable insight into development issues which will inform their work back in parliament.” VSO is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Over 32,000 people have volunteered with the charity. The first serving MP to volunteer with VSO was Gillian Merron in 2005 when she spent five weeks working with the Guyana Teachers’ Union. She was followed by Kerry McCarthy MP who volunteered in Uganda in the summer of 2007. Who’s going where?
For more information please contact Abigail Fulbrook in the VSO Press Office on 020 8780 7410/ 07748847135 or abigail.fulbrook@vso.org.uk Note to editor Photo Call VSO will launch its new volunteering initiative for politicians, Project PolVol, with a photo call with the participating MPs, Wednesday 9th July at 1pm on Parliament Square, Westminster. Images will be available on Wednesday afternoon. VSO is the leading international development charity that works through volunteers. For more information about volunteering visit www.vso.org.uk or 020 8780 7500. The Live Aid legacy A woman's place Teachers need time out Beyond Philanthropy London Eye event to help Stop AIDS Teachers below the poverty line Global insecurity fears Irrigation Engineers Hand up for girls' education Career breaks Release of Nationwide Voters Survey on the Burmese Referendum So you think you're multicultural? 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