Paper short abstract:

This paper addresses how academics through their research activities, professional experience and as trustees can contribute to Northern NGOs working with Southern partners, with specific reference to a small Colombia-focused NGO, Children of the Andes.

Paper long abstract:

Increasingly the call is made for society as a whole to behave more responsibly and ethically, through such notions as the 'big society'. Despite criticisms of this particular conceptualisation, the underlying principles of public service and volunteering continue to be promoted globally and within the UK. This paper addresses how academics can contribute to the workings of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) through their research activities and professional experience, as well as through volunteering roles such as taking on trusteeship positions. This paper explores such issues with specific reference to the case of a small Colombia-focused NGO, Children of the Andes. In addition, it examines whether this type of work is an important conduit for strengthening ties between the UK and Latin America and addressing the unequal power relations that can exist between Northern-based NGOs and their Southern partners.