People

Meet the Board of Directors

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Heather Shapter

Heather Shapter is the Executive Director of Crossroads International and has more than 25 years of non-profit leadership experience. Heather started her first NGO when she was 17 years old which was founded on volunteerism and celebrating the diverse gifts of the young and the aged.

Since then, she has held leadership roles in some of the world’s most respected international non-governmental organizations and Foundations, in such diverse environments as the Caribbean, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In the private sector, she also spearheaded the role technology can play in scaling development initiatives to have them meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, Gerry and her two sons.

Heather Shapter is the Executive Director of Crossroads International and has more than 25 years of non-profit leadership experience. Heather started her first NGO when she was 17 years old which was founded on volunteerism and celebrating the diverse gifts of the young and the aged.

Since then, she has held leadership roles in some of the world’s most respected international non-governmental organizations and Foundations, in such diverse environments as the Caribbean, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In the private sector, she also spearheaded the role technology can play in scaling development initiatives to have them meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, Gerry and her two sons.

Heather Shapter is the Executive Director of Crossroads International and has more than 25 years of non-profit leadership experience. Heather started her first NGO when she was 17 years old which was founded on volunteerism and celebrating the diverse gifts of the young and the aged.

Since then, she has held leadership roles in some of the world’s most respected international non-governmental organizations and Foundations, in such diverse environments as the Caribbean, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In the private sector, she also spearheaded the role technology can play in scaling development initiatives to have them meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, Gerry and her two sons.

Lily Bright Tetteh

Lily Bright is the President of the Coalition of Volunteering Organizations, Ghana (COVOG), an umbrella of NGOs and CBOs in Ghana, focusing on advocacy and member support. 

As a member of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Lily has been in the position of a District Commissioner and trainer for 14 years, aside from serving on other leadership platforms. 

She founded Destiny Fulfillers Time (DFT), an NGO focused on gender-related activities and issues regarding women and girls. empowerment and training, through which she has a group called the BUSY Ladies Connect. 

She is the Country Director for the Ghana chapter of the Good Deeds Day.                                  

She is married with three beautiful kids (a boy and two girls) and is a Principal of a School in Accra. 

Lily Bright is the President of the Coalition of Volunteering Organizations, Ghana (COVOG), an umbrella of NGOs and CBOs in Ghana, focusing on advocacy and member support. 

As a member of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Lily has been in the position of a District Commissioner and trainer for 14 years, aside from serving on other leadership platforms. 

She founded Destiny Fulfillers Time (DFT), an NGO focused on gender-related activities and issues regarding women and girls. empowerment and training, through which she has a group called the BUSY Ladies Connect. 

She is the Country Director for the Ghana chapter of the Good Deeds Day.                                  

She is married with three beautiful kids (a boy and two girls) and is a Principal of a School in Accra. 

Lily Bright is the President of the Coalition of Volunteering Organizations, Ghana (COVOG), an umbrella of NGOs and CBOs in Ghana, focusing on advocacy and member support. 

As a member of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Lily has been in the position of a District Commissioner and trainer for 14 years, aside from serving on other leadership platforms. 

She founded Destiny Fulfillers Time (DFT), an NGO focused on gender-related activities and issues regarding women and girls. empowerment and training, through which she has a group called the BUSY Ladies Connect. 

She is the Country Director for the Ghana chapter of the Good Deeds Day.                                  

She is married with three beautiful kids (a boy and two girls) and is a Principal of a School in Accra. 

Ratherford Mwaruta

Ratherford Mwaruta is a social development practitioner by profession with a strong focus on international voluntary services as a vehicle to promote community development. He has over 25 years of hands-on experience employing grassroots Community Driven Systems Change programs at the national, regional, and international levels with the Coordinating Committee For International Voluntary Services (CCIVS) created under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948, Southern Africa Workcamps Cooperation (SAWC) and Zimbabwe Workcamps Association (ZWA). He joined ZWA as a volunteer in 1995 and rose within the ranks to become its National Coordinator. At CCIVS, Zimbabwe Workcamps Association and Mercy Corps, he served as a Senior Management Team (SMT) member to lead the SMT toward achieving common goals. He has worked in various areas of community development at national and international levels, which equipped him with frontline experience in developing and tailoring programme activities to meet the needs and aspirations of communities. He has in-depth knowledge of community-based development, organisational development and excellent communication/ leadership, team building skills as well as the ability to work strategically. As the head of programs in the organisation, he has worked with communities and other organisations in various capacities, which allowed him to meet, connect and build consensus and partnerships with various international leaders and stakeholders in the region and beyond. Presently, he is working on the operationalisation of the Pan Africa volunteer platform -Network of African Voluntary Organisations (NAVO).

Ratherford Mwaruta is a social development practitioner by profession with a strong focus on international voluntary services as a vehicle to promote community development. He has over 25 years of hands-on experience employing grassroots Community Driven Systems Change programs at the national, regional, and international levels with the Coordinating Committee For International Voluntary Services (CCIVS) created under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948, Southern Africa Workcamps Cooperation (SAWC) and Zimbabwe Workcamps Association (ZWA). He joined ZWA as a volunteer in 1995 and rose within the ranks to become its National Coordinator. At CCIVS, Zimbabwe Workcamps Association and Mercy Corps, he served as a Senior Management Team (SMT) member to lead the SMT toward achieving common goals. He has worked in various areas of community development at national and international levels, which equipped him with frontline experience in developing and tailoring programme activities to meet the needs and aspirations of communities. He has in-depth knowledge of community-based development, organisational development and excellent communication/ leadership, team building skills as well as the ability to work strategically. As the head of programs in the organisation, he has worked with communities and other organisations in various capacities, which allowed him to meet, connect and build consensus and partnerships with various international leaders and stakeholders in the region and beyond. Presently, he is working on the operationalisation of the Pan Africa volunteer platform -Network of African Voluntary Organisations (NAVO).

Ratherford Mwaruta is a social development practitioner by profession with a strong focus on international voluntary services as a vehicle to promote community development. He has over 25 years of hands-on experience employing grassroots Community Driven Systems Change programs at the national, regional, and international levels with the Coordinating Committee For International Voluntary Services (CCIVS) created under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948, Southern Africa Workcamps Cooperation (SAWC) and Zimbabwe Workcamps Association (ZWA). He joined ZWA as a volunteer in 1995 and rose within the ranks to become its National Coordinator. At CCIVS, Zimbabwe Workcamps Association and Mercy Corps, he served as a Senior Management Team (SMT) member to lead the SMT toward achieving common goals. He has worked in various areas of community development at national and international levels, which equipped him with frontline experience in developing and tailoring programme activities to meet the needs and aspirations of communities. He has in-depth knowledge of community-based development, organisational development and excellent communication/ leadership, team building skills as well as the ability to work strategically. As the head of programs in the organisation, he has worked with communities and other organisations in various capacities, which allowed him to meet, connect and build consensus and partnerships with various international leaders and stakeholders in the region and beyond. Presently, he is working on the operationalisation of the Pan Africa volunteer platform -Network of African Voluntary Organisations (NAVO).

Sathish Rao Appalanaidu

Sathish Rao Appalanaidu

Sathish Rao Appalanaidu has been the Board Director of Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS/ Student Volunteers Foundation), a wholly-owned entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, since 2017. He is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Malaya (UM) in Malaysia and holds an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) where he lectures specialising in educational psychology and moral psychology.

Before joining the YSS board, Sathish started as a volunteer in various countries and spent almost a decade in youth volunteering development and volunteering in education. As a YSS Board Director, he has also served as its Chief of Staff and Executive Director. He held various executive roles for YSS’s Committees, including its Executive; Risk Management & Audit; and Asset & Liabilities Committees. He coordinated numerous YSS volunteer missions and projects across ASEAN countries and locally in Malaysia.

Over the years, Sathish Rao contributed his expertise to various government ministries in Malaysia to improve the quality standards of higher education volunteering, student development and quality education. Currently, he is a member of the Ministry of Higher Education's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team for recognition and awards. He appointed a judging panel for youth and graduate awards for miniseries, universities, foundations and NGOs.

Sathish Rao is an academic by profession, despite his active participation in many areas as a social activist and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in volunteering. He has published numerous academic articles and delivered lectures and training in Malaysia to diverse audiences. He is an established reviewer for educational research journals and publications. He oversees Malaysian Quality Accreditation (MQA) for his university’s post-graduate courses and is involved in speaking and training engagements for various international conferences and organisations.

Sathish Rao Appalanaidu has been the Board Director of Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS/ Student Volunteers Foundation), a wholly-owned entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, since 2017. He is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Malaya (UM) in Malaysia and holds an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) where he lectures specialising in educational psychology and moral psychology.

Before joining the YSS board, Sathish started as a volunteer in various countries and spent almost a decade in youth volunteering development and volunteering in education. As a YSS Board Director, he has also served as its Chief of Staff and Executive Director. He held various executive roles for YSS’s Committees, including its Executive; Risk Management & Audit; and Asset & Liabilities Committees. He coordinated numerous YSS volunteer missions and projects across ASEAN countries and locally in Malaysia.

Over the years, Sathish Rao contributed his expertise to various government ministries in Malaysia to improve the quality standards of higher education volunteering, student development and quality education. Currently, he is a member of the Ministry of Higher Education's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team for recognition and awards. He appointed a judging panel for youth and graduate awards for miniseries, universities, foundations and NGOs.

Sathish Rao is an academic by profession, despite his active participation in many areas as a social activist and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in volunteering. He has published numerous academic articles and delivered lectures and training in Malaysia to diverse audiences. He is an established reviewer for educational research journals and publications. He oversees Malaysian Quality Accreditation (MQA) for his university’s post-graduate courses and is involved in speaking and training engagements for various international conferences and organisations.

Sathish Rao Appalanaidu has been the Board Director of Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS/ Student Volunteers Foundation), a wholly-owned entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, since 2017. He is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Malaya (UM) in Malaysia and holds an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) where he lectures specialising in educational psychology and moral psychology.

Before joining the YSS board, Sathish started as a volunteer in various countries and spent almost a decade in youth volunteering development and volunteering in education. As a YSS Board Director, he has also served as its Chief of Staff and Executive Director. He held various executive roles for YSS’s Committees, including its Executive; Risk Management & Audit; and Asset & Liabilities Committees. He coordinated numerous YSS volunteer missions and projects across ASEAN countries and locally in Malaysia.

Over the years, Sathish Rao contributed his expertise to various government ministries in Malaysia to improve the quality standards of higher education volunteering, student development and quality education. Currently, he is a member of the Ministry of Higher Education's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team for recognition and awards. He appointed a judging panel for youth and graduate awards for miniseries, universities, foundations and NGOs.

Sathish Rao is an academic by profession, despite his active participation in many areas as a social activist and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in volunteering. He has published numerous academic articles and delivered lectures and training in Malaysia to diverse audiences. He is an established reviewer for educational research journals and publications. He oversees Malaysian Quality Accreditation (MQA) for his university’s post-graduate courses and is involved in speaking and training engagements for various international conferences and organisations.

Fred Sadia

Fred Sadia is a Volunteering for Development Champion. Since 2014, he has been the Secretary and National Coordinator to the VIO Society in Kenya. He is also Good Deeds Day Kenya Representative. Fred has been engaged in shaping the volunteering space in Kenya, leading in building a robust relationship between the VIOs in Kenya and the Government of Kenya. His joint concerted efforts have seen the development of the Kenya Volunteerism Policy 2016 and, currently, the final works on the Proposed Volunteerism Bill 2021. In championing for Good Deeds, he has worked with other stakeholders to team up with the Government to commemorate Good Deeds Day every year since 2017. Fred has been part of Regional and Global discourses on Volunteering, always ready to offer his thoughts when called upon. He has been able to participate in IVCOs since 2017 and had the pleasure of endorsing the Global Standards for Volunteering during IVCOs 2019. Fred is currently a Student of Community Development at Daystar University.

Fred Sadia is a Volunteering for Development Champion. Since 2014, he has been the Secretary and National Coordinator to the VIO Society in Kenya. He is also Good Deeds Day Kenya Representative. Fred has been engaged in shaping the volunteering space in Kenya, leading in building a robust relationship between the VIOs in Kenya and the Government of Kenya. His joint concerted efforts have seen the development of the Kenya Volunteerism Policy 2016 and, currently, the final works on the Proposed Volunteerism Bill 2021. In championing for Good Deeds, he has worked with other stakeholders to team up with the Government to commemorate Good Deeds Day every year since 2017. Fred has been part of Regional and Global discourses on Volunteering, always ready to offer his thoughts when called upon. He has been able to participate in IVCOs since 2017 and had the pleasure of endorsing the Global Standards for Volunteering during IVCOs 2019. Fred is currently a Student of Community Development at Daystar University.

Fred Sadia is a Volunteering for Development Champion. Since 2014, he has been the Secretary and National Coordinator to the VIO Society in Kenya. He is also Good Deeds Day Kenya Representative. Fred has been engaged in shaping the volunteering space in Kenya, leading in building a robust relationship between the VIOs in Kenya and the Government of Kenya. His joint concerted efforts have seen the development of the Kenya Volunteerism Policy 2016 and, currently, the final works on the Proposed Volunteerism Bill 2021. In championing for Good Deeds, he has worked with other stakeholders to team up with the Government to commemorate Good Deeds Day every year since 2017. Fred has been part of Regional and Global discourses on Volunteering, always ready to offer his thoughts when called upon. He has been able to participate in IVCOs since 2017 and had the pleasure of endorsing the Global Standards for Volunteering during IVCOs 2019. Fred is currently a Student of Community Development at Daystar University.

Erin Bateman

Erin Bateman is the Director of Volunteer Cooperation for WUSC (World University Service of Canada). She has held leadership positions in a number of volunteering for development organisations over the past 20 years, including VSO (UK) and Cuso International (Canada and Ethiopia). Erin started out as a volunteer in Kenya with Crossroads International, and went on to get an MSc. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.

Throughout her career, Erin has contributed to volunteering for development programme design and management, particularly focused on youth and women’s economic empowerment, and she has been a strong champion of the unique contribution volunteers make to development.

Erin is committed to building effective partnerships and has been recognised for her ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders in Canada and across the globe. She is an active member of Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program coordination group, which facilitates collaboration, policy engagement and mutual learning across the volunteering for development sector in Canada. Erin has served on a number of not-for-profit Boards.

Erin Bateman is the Director of Volunteer Cooperation for WUSC (World University Service of Canada). She has held leadership positions in a number of volunteering for development organisations over the past 20 years, including VSO (UK) and Cuso International (Canada and Ethiopia). Erin started out as a volunteer in Kenya with Crossroads International, and went on to get an MSc. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.

Throughout her career, Erin has contributed to volunteering for development programme design and management, particularly focused on youth and women’s economic empowerment, and she has been a strong champion of the unique contribution volunteers make to development.

Erin is committed to building effective partnerships and has been recognised for her ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders in Canada and across the globe. She is an active member of Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program coordination group, which facilitates collaboration, policy engagement and mutual learning across the volunteering for development sector in Canada. Erin has served on a number of not-for-profit Boards.

Erin Bateman es la directora de Cooperación Voluntaria de WUSC (World University Service of Canada). En los últimos 20 años, ha desempeñado puestos de dirección en varias organizaciones de voluntariado para el desarrollo, entre ellas, VSO (Reino Unido) y Cuso International (Canadá y Etiopía). Erin empezó como voluntaria en Kenia en Crossroads International y posteriormente obtuvo un Máster en Estudios sobre Desarrollo en la London School of Economics.

Durante su carrera profesional, Erin ha contribuido a la elaboración y gestión de programas de voluntariado para el desarrollo, en particular, aquellos centrados en el empoderamiento económico de los jóvenes y las mujeres. Además ha sido una enérgica defensora de la contribución excepcional que aportan los voluntarios al desarrollo.

Erin está comprometida con la creación de alianzas eficaces y se la valora por su capacidad de colaborar con eficiencia con diversos interlocutores en Canadá y en el resto del mundo. Es miembro activo del grupo de coordinación del Programa de Cooperación Voluntaria de Canadá, que facilita la colaboración, la participación en la formulación de políticas y el aprendizaje mutuo en el sector del voluntariado para el desarrollo en Canadá. Ha sido miembro de varias juntas de organizaciones no lucrativas.

Melanie Gow

Melanie Gow is a Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Volunteers International. She has held senior leadership roles across international development and the Australian health sector. Her portfolio accountabilities have included research, policy and advocacy, international programs, corporate affairs, marketing, sales, strategy and governance.

She also worked and lived in Geneva, Switzerland, where she held various positions including Deputy Director for International Policy and Advocacy with World Vision International and President of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While based in Geneva, Melanie worked closely with UN agencies and international NGOs on a range of human rights issues. She has undertaken extensive research on violence against children, refugee and asylum-seeking children, child labourers and children affected by armed conflict.

Over the years Melanie has served as a Board member on several not for profit Boards including Hagar Australia, Intrepid Foundation, Business for Development, the Australian Council for International Development, Campaign for Australian Aid, the Coalition to the Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and Sorrento Pre-School. She has also been on the Advisory Board of the Researchers for Asylum Seekers at the University of Melbourne and was Co-Chair of the United Nations Special Experts Panel on Violence against Children. Melanie has a Master of Arts in International Development and a Master of Public and International Law.

Melanie worked for many years with both World Vision Australia and World Vision International before starting a small consulting firm in 2017. Focusing on strategy, leadership and transformation in the ‘for purpose’ sector, she particularly enjoyed working with organisations experiencing considerable change and challenge.

In 2018 Melanie joined St Vincent’s Health Australia as the Group General Manager for Corporate Affairs and in 2020 Joined AVI, taking up the role of CEO.

Melanie Gow is a Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Volunteers International. She has held senior leadership roles across international development and the Australian health sector. Her portfolio accountabilities have included research, policy and advocacy, international programs, corporate affairs, marketing, sales, strategy and governance.

She also worked and lived in Geneva, Switzerland, where she held various positions including Deputy Director for International Policy and Advocacy with World Vision International and President of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While based in Geneva, Melanie worked closely with UN agencies and international NGOs on a range of human rights issues. She has undertaken extensive research on violence against children, refugee and asylum-seeking children, child labourers and children affected by armed conflict.

Over the years Melanie has served as a Board member on several not for profit Boards including Hagar Australia, Intrepid Foundation, Business for Development, the Australian Council for International Development, Campaign for Australian Aid, the Coalition to the Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and Sorrento Pre-School. She has also been on the Advisory Board of the Researchers for Asylum Seekers at the University of Melbourne and was Co-Chair of the United Nations Special Experts Panel on Violence against Children. Melanie has a Master of Arts in International Development and a Master of Public and International Law.

Melanie worked for many years with both World Vision Australia and World Vision International before starting a small consulting firm in 2017. Focusing on strategy, leadership and transformation in the ‘for purpose’ sector, she particularly enjoyed working with organisations experiencing considerable change and challenge.

In 2018 Melanie joined St Vincent’s Health Australia as the Group General Manager for Corporate Affairs and in 2020 Joined AVI, taking up the role of CEO.

Melanie Gow es directora ejecutiva de Australian Volunteers International. Ha ocupado altos cargos directivos en los sectores del desarrollo internacional y la sanidad australiana. Sus responsabilidades han abarcado la investigación, la política y defensa, los programas internacionales, los asuntos empresariales, la mercadotecnia, las ventas, la estrategia y la gobernanza.

Por otra parte, trabajó y residió en Ginebra (Suiza), donde ocupó varios puestos, entre otros, el de subdirectora de política y defensa internacional en World Vision International y el de presidenta del Grupo de ONG para la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño. Mientras estuvo afincada en Ginebra, colaboró estrechamente con organismos de las Naciones Unidades y ONG internacionales en diversidad de cuestiones relacionadas con los derechos humanos. Ha llevado a cabo amplias investigaciones sobre la violencia contra los niños, los niños refugiados y solicitantes de asilo, el trabajo infantil y los niños afectados por conflictos armados.

A lo largo de los años, Melanie ha sido miembro de varias juntas de organizaciones no lucrativas, por ejemplo, Hagar Australia, Intrepid Foundation, Business for Development, el Consejo Australiano para el Desarrollo Internacional, Campaign for Australian Aid, la Coalición para Impedir la Utilización de Niños Soldados y el Sorrento Pre-School. También ha participado en el consejo asesor de investigadores para solicitantes de asilo de la Universidad de Melbourne y fue copresidenta del Grupo de Expertos Especiales de las Naciones Unidas sobre la Violencia contra la Niños. Melanie tiene un máster en Desarrollo Internacional y otro en Derecho Público e Internacional.

Durante muchos años, trabajó en World Vision Australia y World Vision International antes de poner en marcha una pequeña consultoría en 2017. Con un enfoque en la en estrategia, el liderazgo y la transformación en el sector socialmente responsable, disfrutó sobre todo trabajando con organizaciones que experimentaban cambios y retos considerables.

En 2018, Melanie fue directora general del grupo de asuntos empresariales de St Vincent’s Health Australia y en 2020 se incorporó a AVI en la función de directora ejecutiva.

Lucie Morillion

Lucie Morillon

Lucie Morillon has been Director of Studies, Communication and Advocacy for France Volontaires since 2017. The unit she manages is dedicated to promote the recognition of volunteer and solidarity commitments around the world through three complementary approaches: the production and sharing of knowledge, communication, and advocacy. As a member of the leadership team, Lucie contributes in this capacity to the overall management of France Volontaires, as well as to the fulfillment of the organization’s performance, transparency, and accountability objectives.

France Volontaires is the French platform of Volunteering for International Exchange and Solidarity (VIES). Founded in 2009 as an association, France Volontaires is the fruit of a cooperative effort by public sector and non-profit sector stakeholders engaged in international solidarity. As an implementing agency of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, it brings together State, local and regional authorities and associations within the framework of a mission of general interest: the development and promotion of volunteer and solidarity commitments around the world. It is supported by its staff in France and abroad and a network of more than 20 Volunteering Centers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Prior to joining France Volontaires, Lucie Morillon had devoted her career to freedom of expression as the Programs Manager at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where she handled RSF’s international network, and served as its spokesperson with the media and various institutions. She coordinated the organization’s field projects and advocacy strategy while assuming responsibility for publications. She founded RSF’s Washington DC office, directing the development of its US activities from 2004 to 2009.

Having earned her degree in Contemporary History and in Public and Political Communication, she believes commitment to international solidarity is a cross-cutting and powerful answer to the challenges facing our society and the world.

Lucie Morillon est Directrice du pôle Etudes, Communication, Plaidoyer chez France Volontaires depuis 2017. Un pôle qui a pour mission d’agir pour la reconnaissance des engagements volontaires et solidaires à l’international au travers de trois approches complémentaires que sont la production et le partage de connaissances, la communication et le plaidoyer. Membre de l’équipe de direction, elle contribue à ce titre au pilotage général de France Volontaires ainsi qu’aux objectifs de performance, de transparence et de redevabilité de l'organisation.

France Volontaires est la plateforme française des Volontariats Internationaux d’Echange et de Solidarité. Créée en 2009 sous la forme d’une association, France Volontaires est le fruit d’une construction partagée entre des acteurs publics et associatifs impliqués dans la solidarité internationale. Opérateur du ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères, elle réunit l’Etat, des collectivités territoriales et des associations autour d’une mission d’intérêt général : le développement et la promotion des engagements volontaires et solidaires à l’international. Elle s’appuie sur une présence en France (hexagonale et outre-mer) et sur un réseau d’une vingtaine d’Espaces Volontariats en Afrique, Asie et Amérique latine.

Œuvrant jusqu’ici dans le champ de la liberté d’expression, Lucie Morillon occupait auparavant le poste de Directrice des programmes chez Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Elle coordonnait les projets de terrain de l’organisation, sa stratégie de plaidoyer et assurait la direction de la recherche. Elle a fondé le bureau de RSF à Washington et dirigé le développement de ses activités américaines entre 2004 et 2009.

Diplômée en Histoire contemporaine et en Communication publique et politique, elle est convaincue que la solidarité internationale constitue une réponse transversale et puissante aux défis auxquels sont confrontées nos sociétés.

Lucie Morillon es directora de Estudios, Comunicación y Actividades de Promoción de France Volontaries desde 2017. La unidad que dirige se dedica a promover el reconocimiento de los compromisos solidarios y de los voluntarios en todo el mundo mediante tres enfoques complementarios: producción e intercambio de conocimiento, comunicación y promoción. Como miembro del equipo directivo, Lucie contribuye desde su cargo a la gestión general de France Volontaires, así como al cumplimiento de los objetivos de actuación, transparencia y rendición de cuentas de la organización.

France Volontaires es la plataforma francesa del voluntariado para el intercambio y la solidaridad internacionales. Asociación creada en 2009, France Volontaires es el fruto de una construcción conjunta entre los actores públicos y el sector sin fines de lucro implicados en la solidaridad internacional. Como organismo ejecutor del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Europeos francés, reúne a autoridades estatales, locales y regionales y a las asociaciones en torno a un interés común: el desarrollo y la promoción de compromisos voluntarios y solidarios a nivel internacional. Se apoya en su personal en Francia y en otros países, y una red de más de 20 centros de voluntariado en África, Asia y Latinoamérica.

Antes de incorporarse a France Volontaires, Lucie Morillon se había dedicado a la libertad de expresión en su puesto como directora de programas de Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF), donde gestionó la red internacional de la organización y fue la portavoz ante los medios de comunicación y varias instituciones. Coordinó los proyectos sobre el terreno de la organización y la estrategia de promoción, a la vez que asumía la responsabilidad de las publicaciones. Fundó  la oficina de RSF en Washington DC y dirigió el desarrollo de las actividades en Estados Unidos entre 2004 y 2009.

Después de licenciarse en Historia Contemporánea y en Comunicación Pública y Política, cree que el compromiso con la solidaridad internacional es una respuesta interdisciplinaria y enérgica a los desafíos de nuestra sociedad y el mundo.

Jean Tan

Jean Tan is the Executive Director of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), a non-profit dedicated to international peace-building and development. Prior to joining the SIF, she held senior positions in the ministries of Manpower, Foreign Affairs and Information and the Arts. Jean is a graduate of the National University of Singapore and was awarded the Singapore Government Merit Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States. In her spare time, Jean volunteers on the boards of the Global Public Diplomacy Network as well as SG Enable, an agency dedicated to serving persons with disabilities.

Jean Tan is the Executive Director of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), a non-profit dedicated to international peace-building and development. Prior to joining the SIF, she held senior positions in the ministries of Manpower, Foreign Affairs and Information and the Arts. Jean is a graduate of the National University of Singapore and was awarded the Singapore Government Merit Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States. In her spare time, Jean volunteers on the boards of the Global Public Diplomacy Network as well as SG Enable, an agency dedicated to serving persons with disabilities.

Jean Tan es directora ejecutiva de Singapore International Foundation (SIF), una fundación sin fines de lucro dedicada a la consolidación de la paz y al desarrollo. Antes de incorporarse a SIF, ocupó cargos directivos en los ministerios de Trabajo, Asuntos Exteriores e Información y Artes. Jean está licenciada por la Universidad Nacional de Singapur y obtuvo la beca al mérito del Gobierno de Singapur para cursar estudios de postgrado en Estados Unidos. En su tiempo libre, realiza voluntariados en las juntas de la Global Public Diplomacy Network y SG Enable, un organismo al servicio de las personas con discapacidad.

Meet the Team

David Styers

James O’Brien

Katharine Brown

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