More than 100 volunteers from around the world are in Connemara this week for the Volunteer Summer Summit, an international event organised by the European Federation of Intercultural Learning (EFIL ) and hosted this year by EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS Ireland ).
Taking place in ATU Connemara in Letterfrack, the summit brings together volunteers from across Europe and beyond to develop their skills, exchange ideas and strengthen international friendships through intercultural learning.
Throughout the week, participants are engaging in a wide range of workshops, discussions and collaborative activities focused on intercultural learning, leadership and volunteering. As part of the programme, volunteers are also contributing to local community projects, reinforcing the event's commitment to giving back to the communities that host it.
The Volunteer Summer Summit is an annual flagship event of the European Federation of Intercultural Learning, with a different member organisation hosting the event each year. EIL Intercultural Learning said the organisation is delighted to welcome delegates to Ireland and showcase the unique culture, landscape and hospitality of Connemara.
For EIL Intercultural Learning, hosting the summit marks an important milestone. Developing and supporting volunteers is a central pillar of the organisation's five-year strategy, and the event reflects its ongoing commitment to building a strong, engaged and internationally connected volunteer network.
"We are incredibly proud to welcome more than 100 volunteers from around the world to Connemara," said Aideen O'Leary, CEO of EIL Intercultural Learning. "Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and this summit is an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen international connections and celebrate the power of intercultural learning. Ireland has a proud tradition of volunteerism, and we are delighted to showcase that spirit while welcoming our international colleagues to Letterfrack."
Based in Cork city, EIL Intercultural Learning is an educational charity supporting approximately 1,800 participants each year through a range of international education and exchange programmes. The charity was founded in the 1980s, and its first educational exchange to Ireland took place in 1984.
The organisation also partners with Road Scholar, welcoming adult participants to Ireland on cultural and educational programmes.
Through its Explore Scholarship Fund, EIL Intercultural Learning has invested more than €2 million in scholarships, giving Irish residents the opportunity to travel abroad, experience other cultures and develop the knowledge, skills and perspectives that come from international exchange.
EIL Intercultural Learning is a member of three international federations: Federation EIL, the European Federation of Intercultural Learning (EFIL ) and AFS Intercultural Programs, connecting Irish participants and volunteers to a global network dedicated to intercultural understanding and education.
