Featured Idea: Promote International Volunteerism with a Two-Way Service Corps

Scott Beale is the founder of Atlas Corps, a new international organization that brings nonprofit leaders from overseas to volunteer in the U.S.  Scott previously served as a U.S. diplomat in India, as the Director of Ashoka's Youth Venture program, and in the Clinton White House as the Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.  Earlier this year, Atlas Corps won the Case Foundation's America's Giving Challenge by getting 1,700 people to donate online during the six week contest. Read his Idea for Change in America here.

What's the idea (a sentence or two)?

Atlas Corps is an innovative and sustainable international service program that allows nonprofit leaders the opportunity to volunteer overseas for one year to learn best practices, share unique perspectives and return home to create a global network. Our signature program brings nonprofit leaders from the developing world to volunteer in the U.S. for one year (like a Reverse Peace Corps). See: http://www.atlascorps.org/intro.html

While serving in the U.S. Embassy in India, it occurred to me that the world was "flat" in the private, academic and government sector, but not in the nonprofit sector.  There was a pre-globalization view in the nonprofit sector that good ideas, talent and resources flow from the "west" to the "developing world" or "global south." I wanted to create a program that viewed the global south as a partner in development rather than just a recipient of aid.

As Obama ramps up international service and encourages more U.S. citizens to volunteer abroad, we need to find ways to (1) make U.S. volunteers serving overseas sustainable and (2) fight against the perception that the U.S. is trying to impose ourselves on developing nations.  The Atlas Corps program has a unique model of sustainability where two-thirds of the program expenses are covered by a Host organization cost-share. In addition, the global south-U.S. exchange demonstrates a new approach towards development that respects the talents and perspectives of other nations. Obama should promote a two-way flow of volunteers that cost-effective, respectful of other nations, and builds the capacity of leaders and organizations around the world.

We have to change everything.  The old model of international development where we simply send money and recent college graduates to developing world is not working.  We need to find sustainable solutions and exchange programs that leverage the skills of mid-career nonprofit leaders in the U.S. and abroad.  The Peace Corps and other service programs are playing an important role, but the Atlas Corps model is a critical missing piece of the puzzle that should be prioritized immediately.

After Kennedy's famous quote, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. " He went on to say, "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."  Atlas Corps embodies Kennedy's vision of the world working together for the freedom, the rights and the development of all.

Read more about Atlas Corps on their website.