“weltwärts” – Interview with Hildegard Peters, VENRO

"weltwärts", a programme funded through the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, is aimed at training young Germans in the field of development cooperation. More than 200 German NGOs send volunteers to work with their partner organisations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. After "weltwärts" has been in operation for about one and a half year, TourismWatch interviewed Hildegard Peters, board member of the Association of German development NGOs (VENRO), who gives a brief summary of the programme's success and challenges.

While "weltwärts" meets with great interest among young people in general, those with less education remain difficult to reach. After returning to Germany, volunteers are expected to continue their work in the fields of development education and global learning, which would eventually also benefit partners in developing countries. A "reverse component" is still to be introduced, which would also enable young volunteers from partner organisations in the South to join the programme.

(Translation by Christina Kamp)