Resources
PHOTOBOOK: NARRATIVES AND IMAGES FROM VOLUNTEERS IN THE INDIAN SUNDARBANS
This book draws from the photos and diary entries from research participants involved with the activities of VOCAD (Volunteering for Climate Adaptation and Disasters) in the Indian Sundarbans.
The photobook reveals the diverse, critical and complex roles that voluntary labour plays in the lives of delta dwellers in a region that has been deeply affected by climate-related disasters and changes to its delicate ecosystem, impacting the lives of millions.
In the opening words of Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North East India, who endorsed the photobook:
"I am proud to introduce what is a both a powerful and beautiful book, but also an important piece of research built on a strong UK/India collaboration. I hope the insights shared here can be widely disseminated and contribute to ensuring we do all we can to protect fragile but vital ecosystems such as the Indian Sundarbans".
VIDEO: VOLUNTEERING FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND DISASTERS IN THE INDIAN SUNDARBANS
EXHIBIT BOOKLET: "BEYOND INFRASTRUCTURES AND DISASTERS: VOLUNTARY LABOUR AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE INDIAN SUNDARBANS"
This exhibit booklet shares findings from research on voluntary labour by communities who live in the Indian Sundarbans in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, an area facing significant threats and disruption from climate change. By prioritising their voices and experiences, we learn how volunteering in the context of climate change is about more than building and maintaining climate infrastructures or responding to disasters. It is entangled with the ways societies are being changed and challenged by climate change. And volunteering is itself being changed by climate change.
RESEARCH IMPACT SUMMARY
As a part of the UKRI-GCRF Living Deltas Hub, the VOCAD project explores the everyday ways that delta dwellers in the Indian Sundarbans undertake voluntary or unpaid work to respond to disasters and adapt to their changing environment, and how this work is organised. The main focus of this impact summary is to provide insights from the individual research participants, representatives of the organisations taking part in the research, and community members attending the introductory workshops and exhibitions in the Indian Sundarbans.
First, the summary explores the question: “How did VOCAD impact research participants?” highlighting the following areas of attention:
- Shifts in the value and perception of voluntary labour
- Increased networks, peer support and solidarity
- Challenging gender norms
- Development of new skills and experience
- Increased reflective capacity
- Informing career direction
Second, the summary looks into the question “How did VOCAD impact participating organisations?” through the following areas:
- Recognition of the importance of voluntary labour
- Greater insights about volunteers’ experiences
- Need to recognise voluntary labour in policy design
Finally, in response to the questions “How did VOCAD impact other organisations attending the exhibition?” and “How did VOCAD impact organisations attending the introductory workshop?” the following areas are explored:
- Insight into the importance of voluntary labour
- Greater insights about volunteers’ roles and responsibilities
- Novel research objective
- Opportunity to meet new people and co-learn
CALL TO ACTION: VOLUNTARY LABOUR
INTERACTIVE GAME
This interactive game was developed as part of the VOCAD research to enhance policy and practice by increasing awareness of the complex and varied journeys of volunteers working at the forefront of climate change. It is an interactive tool allowing players to simulate real-world scenarios, bringing to life some of the key findings from the VOCAD research on volunteering in the context of the climate emergency. Through an engaging journey, the game highlights the challenges encountered by volunteers and the opportunities that unpaid labour can offer to those living in the Indian Sundarbans.
All resources are free and can be downloaded in English and Bangla through the links above (we recommend printing on both sides in colour).
To play the game, you also need four tokens/pins for the players to move around the board game (the tokens/pins can be made of paper, ideally in the players’ colours – blue, green, red, yellow).