UCDVO’s Vision is for UCD students to graduate with an understanding of the challenges facing humanity worldwide and the determination and self-belief to tackle the issues underlying poverty and inequality in the world. UCDVO’s Mission is to provide UCD students, staff and alumni with opportunities to volunteer for the benefit of disadvantaged communities overseas, in response to needs explicitly identified by those communities. UCDVO runs a 12 month volunteering and development education programme which aims to encourage reflection, discussion and action around the complex topics of global citizenship and international development. The programme includes educational and training events in the months preceding departure; volunteers will then participate in a 4 week volunteering placement over the summer months with one of our 6 international partner organisations. All volunteers travel within teams and are assigned Leaders with relevant experience to support them during the programme. On return from the overseas placement, volunteers are given the opportunity to continue their learning and involvement in international development, through structured workshops and events organised by UCDVO. Support and guidance is also provided for returned volunteers who want to explore further study or career opportunities in the area of international development. Volunteers can also obtain a Global Citizen Award for their work on the UCDVO Programme.