Volunteer profiles

After I finished my studies I looked for possibilities to work abroad in a field that really interested me. I liked PBI’s general philosophy and its field of work: HR and peace building. I guess two of the things that really made me become interested in PBI as an organization and its work were the principle of non-interference and the idea of a (rather) non-hierarchical, small organization working at grass root level. Those points were important to me as – out of my experiences working for NGOs and studying politics and cultural studies – I have become really suspicious of big INGO or other international agencies going somewhere and telling people how to solve their problems (by that often creating a whole bunch of new problems). Also I think that in the kind of work PBI does – accompanying Human Rights Defenders - it makes sense to have foreigners working in the field rather than nationals.  Read more about Bente's views on volunteering for PBI >>>>

After finishing University I went to live in Latin America and it was there that I stumbled across PBI and the work they do. I was intrigued by the way PBI works (everything based on consensus), and have always been interested in the fields of human rights and how this is interpreted and applied by non governmental and governmental organisations. Read more about Nico's views on volunteering for PBI>>>>

A friend of mine had joined the Guatemala project a couple of years ago. Encouraged by her reports on life and work with PBI in Guatemala my interest in PBI grew. I started attending a few meetings of a local PBI group in Germany, including lectures and talks with PBI staff on their return home. As I immediately appreciated the atmosphere and working manners of PBI, I decided soon to seek field experience and apply for a placement with PBI. I especially appreciate the volunteer status and the structures and organisation of PBI itself. Read more about Halli's views on volunteering for PBI>>>>