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Articles on Voluntourism

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Volunteering for global health experience is a common way of gaining clinical observation experiences for medical school applicants. This, and other opportunities to get close to the practice of medicine, also have unintended consequences. (Shutterstock)

‘May cause serious side-effects’: How medical school admissions can perpetuate inequality and reward privilege

A winning medical school application requires stories about observing clinical care. But applicants’ quests to get clinical experiences have unintended and surprisingly far-reaching consequences.
Volunteers pay to help out on various projects from beach clearing to school building and animal conservation. Shutterstock

COVID-19 has devastated the popular but flawed volunteer tourism business – here’s what needs to be done

With a dramatic drop in bookings, volunteer tourism projects in developing countries have been hit hard, affecting local economies which depend heavily on volunteer spending and help.
The ruins of Nepal’s Gorkha district after the 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured 22,000. Tourism helped lead the way back. EU/ECHO/Pierre Prakash

Holidaying in a disaster zone isn’t as crazy as it might seem

It isn’t always good advice for tourists to stay away. Often their money can help, as well as their skills.
Volunteer tourism should be subject to checks and balances, with host communities firmly in the driver’s seat. Shutterstock

Power to the hosts: how to fix volunteer tourism

Volunteer tourism is often criticised for focusing on profit and volunteer experience. But improving monitoring and evaluation and putting host communities in charge can make it more sustainable.
Madonna with her adopted son, David Banda, at an orphanage, 40 km from the capital Lilongwe April 19, 2007. Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

Volunteer tourism: what’s wrong with it and how it can be changed

Voluntourists’ ability to change systems, alleviate poverty or provide support for vulnerable children is limited. They don’t have the skills and can perpetuate patronising and unhelpful ideas.
The Cambodian Children’s Trust family preservation work keeps families together. Tara Winkler

Modern slavery and tourism: when holidays and human exploitation collide

Good intentions, money and the desire to help are essential ingredients for the orphanage tourism industry. But tourists end up becoming agents in the exploitation of children.
Australian private schools are increasingly taking their senior students to volunteer in orphanages, but they’re doing more harm than good. Lemuellz/Flickr

Orphanage trips by Aussie schools are doing more harm than good

Australian private schools are increasingly taking their senior students to volunteer in orphanages, but they’re doing more harm than good.

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