Volunteering for Human Rights 1st Edition
This volunteering experience combines hands-on engagement, intercultural learning, and community contribution within the setting of the international World Camp organised by Broederlijk Delen.
This year’s theme is human rights.
As a volunteer, you will actively contribute to the daily functioning of an international camp, while working alongside participants from across Belgium, Europe and the Global South. The experience combines meaningful volunteer work with intercultural exchange, global citizenship learning, and reflection on sustainability and human rights.
In the preparation phase before the camp, volunteers will get to know each other and the camp themes, help design small workshops or activities, and document the process through social media and reflection logs. During the camp week, volunteering is structured around two main daily roles. In the mornings, volunteers support the camp programme through participation, reflection, reporting, interviews, and communication tasks linked to workshops on global citizenship, sustainability, leadership, and intercultural understanding. In the afternoons, volunteers contribute directly to camp operations by joining the kitchen team (food preparation and logistics), the communication team (photo, video, and simple reporting), or the activity team (workshops, sports, or informal activities).
Volunteers are also involved in setting up and dismantling the camp infrastructure before and after the camp week, ensuring the event runs smoothly from start to finish. Beyond practical volunteering skills, participants develop strong intercultural, civic, and teamwork competences while staying and working in an international environment. The experience offers collaboration with a diverse group, inspiring content and speakers, creative and reflective activities, and shared social moments, resulting in a highly engaging learning exchange that combines service, learning, and personal growth.
Find more information about World Camp (in Dutch) here, about Broederlijk Delen here and about the camp area the Hoge Rielen here.
Contact sarah.markewich@howest.be if you have any questions.
27th of April 2026 to 7th of July 2026
English
Recognition of the LEXS and Digital Badge to be handled by the respective universities/institutes.
Who can apply
• RUN-EU Bachelor and Master students from all study fields
• Some places reserved for students with backgrounds in social work, communication, journalism, education, sport, tourism, event management, political or social sciences. Howest social work students must be in their 2nd year and available on 9 May (Brussels).
Must be comfortable with
• Hands-on volunteering, including physical tasks (camp set-up/breakdown, food prep, walking with gear)
• Shared accommodation with host students/families and at the camp (tents or indoor spaces)
Strongly recommended
• Optional SAP “Empowering Communities through Volunteering” to enhance this volunteering experience (various dates between 23 March 11 May 2026 with application deadline 16 February).
Programme at a glance
Mandatory Online Info Session for all selected participants
• Travel Day to Brussels for all students, not including Howest ones ((to be arranged by participant)
• Accommodation: participant must find own in Brussels
Day 2: Thursday, 25 June:
• Morning: Welcome & introduction session with Broederlijk Delen and international guests in Brussels
• Afternoon: Take train to Bruges or host student/family location and have free afternoon in Bruges or elsewhere
• Accommodation: host student/family arranged via Howest (or option to arrange own accommodation)
Day 3: Friday, 26 June:
• Prepare camp workshops/activities & reporting methods in Bruges
• Accommodation: host student/family arranged via Howest (or option to arrange own accommodation)
Day 4: Saturday, 27 June:
• Bruges tour with international participants from Wereldkamp for team-building and group and theme familiarisation
• Continue preparing camp workshops/activities & reporting in Bruges
• Accommodation: host student/family arranged via Howest (or option to arrange own accommodation)
Day 5: Sunday, 28 June:
• Travel by train to Hoge Rielen camp location:
• Receive briefing for camp setup and continue preparing camp workshops/activities & reporting
Important information regarding Accommodation & food at Hoge Rielen from 28 June to 6 July:
• A shared tent or shared indoor pavilion is available
• Each participant will be required to pay a €75 fee for food and accommodation at the World Camp (= +/- €10 per day)
• Participants who prefer to stay in a shared, indoor pavilion instead of in a shared tent are required to pay €30 extra (= +/- €13 per day)
• All participants will need to bring their own sleeping bag/bedding, towels, walking shoes, sun cream, insect repellent, etc….
• For those who opt to stay in a shared tent, it’s possible for the camp to provide the tent, etc…, if you can’t travel with tent gear
Day 6, Monday, 29 June:
• Assist with building and set-up of the camp and continue preparing camp workshops/activities & reporting
Day 7: Tuesday, 30 June:
• Assist with building and set-up of the camp and continue preparing camp workshops/activities & reporting
Day 8 to Day 12: Wednesday, 1 July to Sunday, 5 July:
• World Camp
• Morning: follow workshops and do social media/reporting/reflection volunteering tasks
• Afternoon: varied volunteer tasks
• Evening - mostly free with some ad hoc volunteering tasks
Day 13: Monday, 6 July:
• Dismantling the camp
• Debriefing
• Departure after lunch by train
• Accommodation: participant must find own
Day 14: Tuesday, 7 July:
• Travel Day – Departure (to be arranged by participant)
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Learner Exchange School, learners will be able to:
Personal & Social Development
- Work in an international team and strengthen your collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.
- Take responsibility and show initiative through hands-on volunteering tasks.
Intercultural Experience
- Connect and work with students and young people from different cultural backgrounds.
- Reflect on cultural differences and global perspectives in an open, respectful way.
Civic & Community Engagement
- Learn how volunteering contributes to social change and community development.
- Actively support a shared project within a strong community setting.
Professional Skills
- Improve communication, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- Gain practical experience in event support, logistics, communication, and community coordination.
Selection criteria
Maximum number of participants is 15
Participant selection will be done by lead instructor
Involved organisations and persons
Broederlijk Delen
Partner OrganisationHowest University of Applied Sciences
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Kurt Debaere (Instructor)
- Lies Vanhaelemeesch (Instructor)
- Sarah Markewich (Lead Instructor)
