Become a volunteer at the Dutch Council for Refugees
Interpreters
In their conversations with refugees, the volunteers of the Dutch Council for Refugees often need interpreters. If you already speak Dutch reasonably well or well, you can often help as an interpreter. Voluntary interpreters are offered a course.
Information officers
Unfortunately, not all Dutch citizens are open to refugees. This attitude is often based on bias. By providing information to pupils and adults, the Dutch Council for Refugees works on increasing the level of support for the protection of refugees. Presentations or guest lectures often leave a deep impression if a refugee tells his or her story. Many refugees do not like to tell about the past, but those who can and want to can mean much to increasing the level of support for refugees. A condition for this voluntary job is that you must speak English or Dutch well.
Trainers
At some locations, courses and information are provided to refugees in their own languages, for example during the Participation Statement programmes. A condition for this voluntary job is that you can understand Dutch and that you like teaching.
Tell your story in the media
The Dutch Council for Refugees often receives requests from Dutch newspapers, radio or television programmes who are searching for refugees who want to tell about their experiences. For example about learning the language, family reunification, or how it feels having to build up a new life. Would you like to participate in this at local media? Please tell your counsellor about this. Would you like to participate in this at national media? Please send an e-mail in English or Dutch to persvoorlichting@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. If we receive a request from the media that may suit you, we will contact you.
Click here for vacancies of the Dutch Council for Refugees in your town, or tell the Dutch Council for Refugees in your reception centre or in your town that you are available.