Rural problems are not isolated. In many cases, they are connected with urban conditions. How people perceive the problems depends on their understanding of development, with the interplay between the rural and urban sector, and the interaction between people and nature.

PCD's urban programme therefore is working to build ways to facilitate young people's reflections on the problems associated with the mainstream development model, particularly on the linkage between rural and urban areas, and the relationship between people and nature.

We are deeply moved by these two (and other) participants' heartfelt sharing of their feelings of the internship programme – it gives us the courage and the motivation to continue our work and exploration.

“Being new to a NGO, I hope to have the opportunity to go to the rural area to experience the harsh rural living myself, and to have an in-depth understanding of farmers' aspiration and sorrow.”

“I have many companions and mentors along this internship road, and I am therefore free from fear.”

Sichuan Youth Internship Programme

The programme for youth volunteers and interns was a completely new attempt for which PCD had undergone extensive negotiations with various NGOs in order to launch a joint programme. The idea was to recruit a group of young people interested to work for social development. After taking part in trainings, they would be sent to work with various NGOs as interns for one year on rural development and nature protection programmes. During various phases of their internship, they would be brought together for trainings and seminars, and for exchange and sharing of experience among themselves. In addition, guidance and trainings provided by receiving organisations during their internship and regular follow-up and counseling provided by organisations supporting the programme would create a comprehensive support environment for the learning and the growth of interns. Study on needs of youth volunteers and that of receiving organisations had shown that such a programme would, on the one hand, meet the needs of NGOs for human power, and on the other hand, provide the opportunity for young people to understand the work of NGOs. With the support of partners, the programme was launched officially in June 2006 and a management committee was formed. Members of the committee are mostly representatives of NGOs in Sichuan province, but there are also individual representatives interested in joining in carrying out this programme. Sichuan Shuguang Community Development Service Centre is responsible for the implementation of the programme.

Up to now, a total of 31 volunteers have taken part and completed the programme in the last two year. In November 2007, 19 volunteers for the third year of the programme left to work as volunteers in 16 organisations, namely, Daba Mountain Research Association for Ecology and. Poverty Reduction, Rural Development Association of Yilong County of Sichuan Province,  Yothok Yondengonpo Medical Association,  Chengdu Urban Rivers Association, Panzhihua East District Volunteers Association,  Jane Goodall Institute (China) Southwest China Office, PCD Sichuan Office, Heifer International China, Conservation International Chengdu Office, WWF China Chengdu Office, Interglow Butou Office, Panda Eco Park - Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Development Organisation of Rural Sichuan, Dayi County Rabbit King Research Center of Poverty Alleviation, Chengdu Waldorf School, and the management bureau of Sichuan Wanglang Nature Reserve.

Sichuan Youth Volunteers Programme http://www.scvolunteers.org/

Small Grants for Youth Internship Programme

In Guizhou and Guangxi, PCD has worked with China NPO Network to launch the Young Interns Small Fund Programme. To enable sharing and exchange of experience between NGOs and volunteers, the programme will provide young people with small funding support to encourage them to work with rural development NGOs and nature conservation NGOs for a longer period of time. This will serve to create a platform for NGOs to provide training to young people jointly.

Organisations and interns who take part in this programme enjoy a lot of flexibility. When an intern finds a suitable receiving organisation or an organisation finds a suitable intern, the two parties could fill out an application form together and submit their application with supporting materials. When an application is approved, the programme will provide for the livelihood and transportation of the intern during his/her internship. The programme will also provide opportunities of training, exchange and learning to interns. The programme is also working hard to advocate the formation of a young people’s training network so that local force could effectively support the growth of interns. Besides providing a platform for an intern’s practice and learning, a receiving organisation will also provide him/her with training and counseling, and will record and evaluate his/her performance.

The programme is now in its third term. A total of 28 interns have completed their internships in the last two terms. There are currently 19 interns in Guizhou and Guangxi and they are undertaking 11 months of full-time internship in 17 NGOs.

Young Interns Small Fund Programme
http://www.npo.com.cn/young/index.htm