With over two thousand volunteers in service at any time, VSO is the largest independent development agency that works exclusively through volunteering. The recruitment of long-term volunteers from developing countries, the development of a youth exchange programme, growing support for national volunteering initiatives and a developing pattern of study visits and exchanges have all contributed much towards creating a wider understanding of VSO's purpose and a broader interpretation of the potential power of volunteering. This article explores the ways in which VSO has changed in recent years, and the challenges that such change presents for the future of international volunteering. It will focus in particular on issues concerning reciprocity and global citizenship.