Vanuatu
Welcome to the France Volontaires office in Vanuatu!
© Groovy Banana
Volunteering in Vanuatu
Launched in 2012, in partnership with the government of New Caledonia, the Oceanian Volunteer Service Programme (PSVO – Programme du Service de Volontariat Océanien) is based on 2 main objectives:
- To help young Caledonians to build their identity and citizenship and develop their skills
- To contribute to the integration of New Caledonia in its regional space by promoting exchanges.
It is based on the mobilisation of complementary voluntary services: international work camps, International Civic Service and VSI (volontariat de solidarité internationale/international solidarity volunteering), and on the construction of a local support system for engagement. The missions take place partly in the countries of New Caledonia (Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga) as well as in other regions of the world (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, etc.). Since 2013, more than 200 young people have benefited from this programme. Vanuatu is the country with the most volunteers in the programme.
The France Volontaires office in Vanuatu, which opened in Port-Vila in 2012, is available to assist volunteering stakeholders and volunteers in defining and carrying out their mission, to help them with administrative procedures and to provide information about the country.
Our services
For volunteers who have signed a contract with France Volontaires
- Assistance with administrative procedures (obtaining a visa and consular registration)
- A welcome seminar
- Bichelamar language lessons
- Cultural awareness workshop
- Health and safety tips
- Networking with other volunteers in the region
For associations
- Support in setting up projects and seeking funding
- Tips for choosing the most appropriate volunteering scheme
- Putting people in contact with dispatching organisations
- Training for the hosting and monitoring of volunteers
- Monitoring volunteers’ missions
Our partners
Host organisations
- VASANOC (Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee)
Partner organisations
- Vanuatu MDEF
- CAFV – (Club des Affaires France/Vanuatu – France/Vanuatu Business Club)
- National University of Vanuatu
- Vanuatu chamber of commerce and industry
Settling into Vanuatu
Vanuatu or the Republic of Vanuatu is an archipelago of more than 80 islands, most of which are volcanic in origin. Vanuatu is a state in Oceania located in Melanesia, in the south-western Pacific Ocean, in the Coral Sea. The country is located north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands.
Identity card
- Area: 14765 km2, 6 provinces
- Capital city: Port-Vila (Efate Island)
- Other major city: Luganville (Espiritu Santo Island)
- Population: 286,429 inhabitants (in 2016)
- Currency: Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) – 1€ = approximately 130 VUV = 130 CFP
- Official languages: Bichelamar, English, French
- Languages: Vanuatu has the highest density of languages in the world. More than 130 languages are listed
- Religions: Mostly Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, etc.)
- Political system: Parliamentary Republic
- Date of independence: 30 July 1980
- Time zone: + 10 hours in summer, + 9 hours in winter compared to France. Same time zone as New Caledonia
- International dialling code +678
General presentation
In 1774, these Pacific islands were discovered by James Cook, who named them ‘New Hebrides’. The country changed its name after independence in 1980 to Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a state in Oceania located in Melanesia, in the south-western Pacific Ocean, in the Coral Sea. The archipelago is made up of more than 80 islands, most of which are of volcanic origin. The country is located 1,750 kilometres east of Australia, north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands. It is part of the Commonwealth.
Contact
Sophie SOEJITNO
Head of the Vanuatu Volunteer Centre
Julie KIEFFER
Support officer at the Espace Volontariats in Vanuatu
[email protected]
France Volontaires' partners in Vanuatu
