When "hoping to help" hurts: What students, faculty, and staff need to know to avoid the pitfalls of global health volunteerism

As universities around the world tout the growing number of students seeking international experiences, they also are faced by the difficult challenges of ensuring that students have valuable learning experiences and do not put themselves or their hosts at risk.  Especially in the arena of health service programs, which have been increasing dramatically, there are serious concerns about the possibility of harm to host communities.  Volunteers are “hoping to help”, but there is little evidence to prove that they are helping.
Presenter:  Dr. Judith Lasker  NEH Distinguished Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Lehigh University
Part of IUPUI International Week, February 11th – 17th, 2018