South-South in Action

Using a case study analysis approach, the report examines volunteer programmes that have strong South-South components in Cambodia, China and Thailand. Normative discussions of volunteerism and South-South cooperation note that they share common principles of "mutuality, reciprocity, respect and equality" and that they have the potential to promote participatory and needs-based approaches to development, while cultivating global citizens and strengthening people-to-people ties. The hypothesis is that South-South cooperation and volunteerism are mutually reinforcing and highly compatible concepts. The report was published as part of the South-South in Action Series of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC),  in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA).