ceo - bvalg position paper 2010

8/8/2019 CEO - BVALG Position Paper 2010

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1 ArchbishopDesmondTutu,keynoteaddressattheAdvocatesorInternationalDevelopmentConerence,13July2009http://www.a4id.org/events/desmond-tutu-lecture/deault.aspx

Peopleandpartnerships

:

arecipeorfghtingglo

balpovertyanddisadv

antage

Meaningulandlastingchangecomesaboutwhenpeopleworkinpartnership,helpingeachotherachievetheirgoals.Theprocessodevelopingskills,exchangingknowledge,sharingexpertiseandgivingtimeisahighlyeectivewayocombatingglobalpoverty.

Workinginpartnershipmeanssupportinglocalcommunities,organisations,and

governmentsindevelopingandragilecountriestoidentiytheirneeds.Workinginpartnershipbringsthesedierentlevelsosocietytogethertondthebestwaytoaddressthoseneeds.Andworkingwithinternationalvolunteersasawaytosupportpeopleintheprocessochanginganddevelopingtheirownlivesgetsresults.

TheBritishvolunteeragenciesandourvolunteersdeliverqualityresults

acrossmanydierentsectors.Whetheritsworkingtomeetthechallengesoclimatechange,healthoreducation,wemakeatangibleimpactbecauseweareproessionalsworkingwithandthroughotherproessionals.

Volunteeringhasanunshakeableplaceininternationaldevelopment:itisacost-eectivewayoghtingglobalpovertyanddisadvantage;itisresourceulinmeetingsomeothe21stCenturysbiggestchallengeshead-on;anditslastingvaluearexceedsmaterialwealth.

Notonlyisworkingwithvolunteers

aneectiveapproachtointernationaldevelopment,itsanethostoo.Itsaboutthepersonal,proessionalandsocialgrowthoboththevolunteersandthosewithwhomtheyareworking.Itsaboutgrowingtheglobalcommunity,growingunderstandingacrosscultures,growingskillsandexperiences,andgrowingouruture.

Volunteersareanimportantpartotheworldssocialcapital:theyaretheproessionalsandthemoversandshakers

otomorrow.Andmanypastvolunteersareleadingthewaytoday.Throughtheirexperiencesandthethingstheygoontoachieve,internationalvolunteerscrucially-createongoingsupportorinternationaldevelopment.

Ineedotherhumanbeingsinorderormetobehuman.

Wearecreatedorcomplementarity.Ihavegitsthatyoudonthave.

AndyouhavegitsIdonthave.

ArchbishopDesmondTutu1


4/20

1The Millennium Development Goals are drawn rom the Millennium Declaration: http://www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.htm

Thechallengesacingthedevelopingworldseemenormoustheharmuleectsoquickeningclimatechange,thestruggletosecureprimaryeducationorallchildren,helpingpeopleeedthemselves,securingequalrights,keepingpeoplesae,keepingpeoplehealthy...

AstheBritishgovernmentrightlyidenties,

thesechallengesareeltmostseverelyontheground,intheveryheartovulnerableandimpoverishedcommunities.Andtheirhealthisourhealth.

ItstenyearssincetheinternationalcommunityembarkedonthejourneyoachievingtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals;theeightgoalsthatseektoupholdhumandignityandreeallmen,women,andchildrenromthedehumanizing

conditionsoextremepovertybytheyear2015.Westillhavealongwaytogo,and

theparticipationoordinarypeoplesuchasinternationalvolunteers-iscriticaltogettingthere.

Inworkingwithcommunitieswhoareseekingtotransormtheirlivesinordertocopewithwhatshappeningnowandwhatliesahead,andinsupportingtheminthisprocessochange,theyshowandshare

withusmanyothesolutions.Theworldhasmuchtolearnromthem.

SincetheBritishvolunteeragenciesbelievethatdevelopmentisaprocessotransormation,wereconcernednotonlywithdeliveringbetterservicesandprovidingorbasicneeds,butalsowithmeetingthe21stcenturysmajorchallengeshead-onandhelpingcreatingtheconditionsnecessaryorpeopletothriveandlead

digniedlives.

Lookingaheadto2015andbeyond,thereisnoquestionthatwecanputanendtopoverty.Weknowwhattodo.

Butitrequiresanunswerving,collective,long-termeort.

BanKi-moon,UnitedNationsSecretaryGeneral

Tacklingthedeveloping

worlds

bigchallenges


5/20

TheBritishvolunteeragenciesworkinclosepartnershipswithabroadspectrumopeopleandorganisations;romthoseworkingataministeriallevelrightthroughtothoseservingtheverygrassrootsotheircommunities.

Wesupportthemintheprocessochangetoachievetheirgoals.Weworkwiththem

toidentiytheskills,knowledgeandpeopletheyreallyneedinordertoachievethosegoals.

Wedontembarkonprojectsbecausewethinktheyreagreatidea-weworkcloselywithourpartnerstodeveloptheprogrammes,projectsandservicesthatwillhelpthemachievelastingchange.

Ourvolunteers(ourpeople)areakeywayinwhichweworkwithourpartnersandtheir

people.Theydoandsupportessentialworkthatmoneyandoodpackagescant.Ittakespeopleworkingwithotherpeopletodeveloptheprocessochange,putitintoaction,andgetresults.

Ourpartnerswanttoworkwithproessionalpeoplewhobringcommitment,respect,andawillingnesstolearnandshare.Our

volunteersarejustthat.Andbecausetheyotenliveandworkwithcommunitiesoverextendedperiodsotime,theybuildstrongrelationships,canbefexible,andrespondtosituationsinawaythatisappropriatetoeachcontext.

Thestoriesotransormationoverthenextewpagesshowthatstrongpartnerships-combinedwithvolunteers-makeorpowerulachievements.

Iyouareherebecauseyoupityus,iyoucamebecauseyouthinkyouhavetheanswerstoourproblems,iyouexpectthatatertwoyearsyoucanlook

backonaprojectwhichyouhaveestablished,thereisnoplaceoryouhere.Butiyouareherebecauseyouhaveunansweredquestionsoyourown,iyouhavecometoreceiveaswellastogive,iatertwoyearsyouwillbehappytoleavebehindriendswhohavebecomemoresel-condentand

proudashumanbeingsandasarmersbecauseotheriendshipyouhavesharedwiththem,thenpleasestaywithus.

RomyTiongco,VSOspartnerinthePhilippines


6/20

EconomicStability

Despiteeconomicgrowthacrosstheglobe,inequalityremainsperniciousandpersistent.

Breakingthecycleopovertyinvolvescreatinglocalwealthandnewopportunitiesthroughdecentandproductiveemploymentormenand,especially,women.

Economicstabilityleadstosocialcapital:

healthypeoplewithaccesstoservicesandopportunitieswhoarethebasisromwhichtosustainablygrowskills,knowledge,andeconomies.

Toenableexcludedindividualsandcommunitiestogrow,weknowthathelpingpeopletogainaccesstoskillstraining,businesstraining,andnance(suchasbanking,saving,creditandinsurance)iscrucial.Itsvitalthatwesupportpeopletodeveloptheskillstheyneedinorderlocate,accessandnurturethelocal,nationaland

internationalmarketssoessentialortrade,stabilityandgrowth.

Urbanenvironmentsareareasosignicantpopulationgrowth.60%otheworldspopulationisexpectedtoliveincitiesby2030.1

Notonlydoesthismeanincreasingchallengesoremploymentandprosperity

withintheseexpandingurbanenvironments,butthechallengesacingruralareasaresevereandtwoold:

labourorcesinruralareasarediminishingrapidlyaspeoplefocktotownsandcities,drivenbythehopeorconvictiontheywillndbetteropportunities

thedemandsplacedonruralproducebyincreasingurbanpopulationsmeansagriculturalinnovationisessentialoroodproductionandoodsecurity

1United Nations Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects: the 2005 Revision. 4.9bn people are expected to be urban dwellers by2030 - an increase o over 50% compared with the number o urban dwellers in 2005 (3.2bn).

Stableandprosperouslivelihoodsaretheoundationorgrowingpopulations,healthyindividuals,andthewell-beingoamilies


7/20

Developing sustainable fshing in Mozambique

InMozambique,over80%othelabourorceisemployedinagricultureandruraldevelopment.Atleastonemillion

Mozambicansdependuponshingactivities.Ruralemploymentlikethismakesacrucialcontributiontooodsecurityordisadvantagedcommunitieswhoareparticularlyvulnerabletodroughtandhunger.

Skillshare InternationalhasbeenworkinginpartnershipwiththeInstituteortheDevelopmentoSmall-scaleFisheriesdevelopingandenhancingtheircapacitytoreachartisanalshingcommunities,includingsupportingthemtoestablishmicro-nanceassociationsandcommunitymanagementcommittees.

Inonepartothisinitiative,SkillshareInternationalplacedvolunteerSarojakshanasaTechnicalAdviserwiththeInstituteinordertohelpthemworkwithlocalshermentoimprovetheirshingtechniquesandlong-termprospects.

Duringhisplacement,Sarojakshantrainedshermeningoodshingpractices,andhowtousenetstomaximisecatches.ThishasbenettedtensothousandsoamiliesacrosstheprovincesoInhambane,GazaandMaputo.

ManuelGulamo,50,isashermanwholivesnearAngochewithhiswieand12children.HeparticipatedinSarojakshanstrainingsessions,learninghowtoimprovehistechniquesandshresponsibly.He

says:TheInstitutegivesusnetsandteachesushowtoconstructgoodgillnetsandhowtohangthem.NowweusescienticmethodsWecatchmoreshandtheyrebigger.ThemoreshIcatch,themoreIhavetosell,andthismeansIcanbuyuniormsorthechildrensotheycangotoschoolandIcanbuybetterood.Werealsotaughtnottousemosquitonetsbecauseshermenwhousethesecatcheggsand

smallshwhichisverybad,anditheykeepusingthemtherellbenoshletinthesea.

NihumameEssiaca,isashermaninthesameregion.HestartedworkingwiththeInstituteortheDevelopmentoSmall-scaleFisheriesandSarojakshanin2007.

Hesays:WorkingwiththeInstituteisgood.SinceIjoinedwehavesetupanassociationwithsomeotheothershermen.Wevelearnthowtousesavingsandareopeningupabankaccount.

Inowcatchmoresh,andIcannegotiateabetterpricewhensellingthesh.ThisisveryimportantasIcanprovidemoreortheamilyandnowwehavemoreood.


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1 UNICEF, statistics by area, education http://www.childino.org/education.html

Educationbuildsskills,abilitiesandknowledge-allthethingsessentialorpersonalworth,uturegrowth,economicprosperity,andsocialcapital.

Alackoeducationotenleadstolie-longinequalityandsocialexclusion.

Achievingprimaryeducationorallboysandgirlsby2015remainsachallenge.

101millionchildrenoprimaryschoolagearenotinschool.1

Workinginpartnershipthroughvolunteershasanundeniableimpactinhelpingchangethestatusquoinplaceswheretherearentenoughteachers,whereteachersneedproessionalsupportandtraining,wherepovertymakesschooleesunaordable,orwheretheeducationogirlsisvaluedlessthanthatoboys.

Weknowromexperiencethathelpingpeopleknowandunderstandtheirrights

meanstheyarebetterplacedtomakedecisionsthatwillguideandchangetheirlivesorthebetter.Supportingpeopletondtheirvoiceandmakeitheardputstheminabetterpositiontoactivelydemandtheirrights.

Educationalsokeepspeoplesaeandhealthy.Ithelpstransormattitudes-orexample,tacklingdomesticviolencewhere

itmaybeconsideredthenorm.Anditleadstopositivechangesinbehavioursandhabitsorexample,educatingpeopleaboutsexualhealthisaneectiveweaponinreducingratesoHIV,AIDSandsexually-transmittedinections.

Becauseweworktosupportpeople,organisationsandinstitutionsindevelopingtheskills,approachesandcondencetheyneedinordertodelivereducation,allothis

ispossible.

Educationisperhapsthebedrockoenablinglivestounction.Withouteducation,meaningulchangecannothappen


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Non-ormal education: helping children back into school

Eachyear,anestimated1.5millionchildrenbetweentheageso9and15dropoutoormaleducationinTamilNadu,India.

Peoplewhocontinuetheireducationbeyondprimaryschooltypicallyenjoyimprovedhealthandlong-termprospects.Instead,ahighdrop-outratesuchasthisoneinTamilNadurepresentsasignicantlossotechnicalandsocialskills,andperpetuatesthepovertygapbetweengenerations.

Inordertotacklethislarge-scaleproblem,theStateGovernmentaskedStudentsPartnership Worldwide (SPW)tosupportitsEducationorAllinitiativebydrawingontheirexpertiseinusingvolunteerstodelivernon-ormallearningmethodsandtrainingineducationalenvironmentplanning.Whatstartedasalocal,ninemonthprojectnowreaches30,000childreneachyear.

EducationorAllaimedtoincreasethenumbero10thGradepupilsachievingtheminimumstandardorgovernmentexams.Theinitiativesoughttoincreaseaccesstoeectiveeducationinruralareas,and

increaseschoolenrolmentratesamongchildrennotcurrentlyattendingschool.

Thereore,aspartoaninitialninemonthproject,SPWrecruitedandtrainedyoungvolunteersaged20-25intheroleoPeerEducator.Supportedbyproessionalsta,thevolunteersdeliveredlessonsinhealthandlie-skillseveryweekaspartotheschoolcurriculum.Theyusednon-ormaleducationmethodssuchasdrama,debate,

artandgroupworktomakeinormationrelevanttoyoungpeople,andbuildlie-skillssuchascriticalthinking,decision-makingandsel-condence.

Inaddition,thevolunteerstrainedHeadTeachersinhowtousenon-ormaleducationmethods,andhelpedsetup15YouthResourceCentres-placesoryoungpeopletoaccessinormation,seekcondentialadvice,andbeencouragedbacktoschool.

TheHeadMasteroaGovernmentPanchayatVillageSchoolintheVelloreDistrictsaid:Ourschoolhasanumbero

childrenwhoworkasbondedlabourersrollingBeedis[localcigarettes].Ithasbeenadiculttasktogetthechildrentoschoolonaregularbasis.EversincetheSPWvolunteersstartedtoworkinourschooltherehasbeenasignicantincreaseinthenumberochildrenattendingschool.

Theprojecthelpedover260youngpeoplereturntoschool,andsawadouble-digitimprovementinexampassrates.Asaresultothevolunteerssuccessulworkonthisproject,SPWwasinvitedtositontheVelloreDistrictBoardoEducationandisnowworkingtoexpandtheinitiativeacrossVelloreanditsneighbouringDistricts,reachingapproximately30,000youngpeopleeachyear.


10/20

Health

8

Pro Robert E Black MD, Pro Lindsay H Allen PhD, Pro Zulfqar A Bhutta MD, Pro Laura E Caulfeld PhD, Mercedes de Onis MD,Majid Ezzati PhD, Colin Mathers PhD, Pro Juan Rivera PhD, Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures andhealth consequences The Lancet, Volume 371, Issue 9608, pp 243 - 260, 19 January 2008

9WHO/UNICEF, Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation Special Focus on Sanitation, 2008, pg 210ibid

11UNAIDS,2008ReportontheGlobalAIDSEpidemic,p215

Indevelopingcountries:

malnutritionisresponsibleorhaloallchilddeaths,and1/5omaternaldeaths1

900mpeopledonothaveaccesstosaedrinkingwater2

2.5bnpeoplelackadequatesanitation3

2mpeopledieromHIVandAIDSevery

year4

manydiseaseswhichkill,suchasTB

andmalaria,areeasilypreventable

Theimpactopoorhealthondevelopingcountriesismassive.Thisiswhywehelpmorepeopletoaccessessentialservices,andsupporthealthcareproviderstoreachmorepeoplewithbetterqualityservices.

Illhealthandmalnutritioninachildsearlylieincreasecognitiveandphysical

problems,aectingthechildsabilitytolearn.Thisincreasesthelikelihoodolielonginequalityanddiscrimination,aschildrenwithdisabilitiesandspecial

learningneedsareroutinelydeniedaccesstoeducation.

MillionsoparentsaroundtheworldaredyingromAIDSandAIDS-relatedillnesses,meaningamiliesotenlosetheirmainwageearners.Thisorphanscountlesschildrenandputsthemunderpressure(alongwiththeirsiblingsandelderlyrelatives)toprovideortherestotheamily.Itcanbecomealmostimpossibletoaccesshealthcareandeducation,andmanychildrenenduponthestreets.

Povertydeniespeopleaccesstohealthcareservices.Manycannotaordthebirthcerticatesandocialdocumentsnecessarytoaccesstheseservices.Peoplelivinginrurallocationsareotendeniedhealthcareservicesduetopoortransportlinks,roughterrain,andalacko

inrastructure.Manywomenaceadditionaldiscriminationastheirabilitytoaccesshealthcareisrestrictedbyculturalpracticesorreligiouslaws.

Itsotensaidthatiyouhaventgotyourhealth,

youhaventgotanything


11/20

Improving sexual health in North East Brazil

International Servicehas5volunteersandaprojectmanagerworkingwiththeAmazonasStateSTIHIV&AIDSProgramme.

Since2007theyhavebeenstrengtheningtheAmazonasStatesmissiontocontroltheAIDSepidemicthroughpreventativehealthcarearelativelynewideaamongstBrazilianhealthcareproessionals.

TheWorldHealthOrganizationestimatethat10millioncasesosexually-transmittedinectionsoccurinBrazileveryyear.InectionslikeHIVandsyphiliscanbedeadlyiuntreated,andareeasilytransmitted

rommothertobabyduringpregnancyorchildbirth.

ThevolunteerssupporttheStateProgrammescoreworkacross62municipalities,andtheyalsoprovidespecicsupportto4healthteamsinthemunicipalitiesoLbrea,Itacoatiara,Eirunep,andBenjaminConstant.

Bydeliveringtrainingsessions,thevolunteersenablehealthproessionalsandhealthworkerstoimprovetheirknowledgeaboutsexualhealth,learnhowtopreventthetransmissionoinections,andlearnhowtocarryoutessentialresearchintosexualbehavioursandsexualhealthawareness.Soar,over70trainingsessionshavebeenheldwith525healthproessionals.49healthproessionalshavebeenspecicallytrainedtoworkwithpregnantwomen.

March2009wasamajormilestoneorthe

programme:acrossthe4municipalitiestherewasa20%reductionintheincidenceosexually-transmittedinectionsamongstasexually-activepopulationo270,000people.

Thevolunteersalsohelphealthteamsbecomemoreeectiveinreachingvulnerablepeople-suchasyoungpeopleandriverboatcrews-withadviceandinormationaboutsexualhealthandhowtopreventSTIs.TwovolunteersareworkingwiththeProjetoSudeeAlegria (HealthandHappinessProject)whichprovideshealthservicesbyboatto143riversidecommunitieswhoarediculttoreachduetotheimmenserainorests.

Onevolunteerusescircustechniquesandvisualmaterialstohelpchildrenlearnabouthealthandhumanrights,whilstanother

volunteersupportstheprojectsstrategiccommunciations.

Soar,thisprogrammehas

distributed51,400condomsatcarnivalsandmajorculturaleventsbetweenSeptember2008andMarch2009

extendedcounsellingandtestingservicestoruralareasorthersttimeever

reachedover5000youngpeople

carriedoutover3900HIVandsyphilistestsonpregnantwomen

enabled14,500adultstoactivelyparticipateinpreventionprojects

supported11timesmoreyoungpeopletoactivelyseeksexualhealthinormationandusecondoms.


12/20

ClimateChange

1See the Stern Review on the Economics o Climate Change (2006) or details on how the developing world will be impacted environmentallyand economically.

Theworldisalreadybeginningtoexperiencetheeectsoclimatechange.

Intheuturewearemostlikelytosee:landlosttofooding,meltingice,andrisingsealevels;increasingtemperaturesmatchedbyanincreaseindisease;heightenedcompetitionorresources;oodproductionaectedbydrought;deathanddisplacementopeopleasaresultonaturaldisasters.

Climatechangewillhitdevelopingcountriesrstanditwillhitthemhardest.1

Itthreatenstoundotheprogressthatourworkininternationaldevelopmenthasbeenmaking,andthepossibilityocountrieshavingtocopewiththousandsuponthousandsoenvironmentalreugeesisreal.

Manypoorandvulnerablecommunitiescanalreadyshowthedevelopedworldathingortwoaboutusingavailableresourceswisely,creatively,andeectively.Withadditionaltechnicalsupportortrainingromourvolunteers,vulnerablecommunitiescanbecomebetterabletocopewithwhatshappeningnow,aswellasacquiringtheskillstoadapttowhattheuturebrings.

Thesignicantmajorityotheworldspoordependonnaturalresourcesortheirlivelihoods.Thedevelopedworldisdependentuponpoorandindigenouscommunitiesbecausetheyperormthecrucialroleomaintainingandconservingcountlessresourcesandnaturalhabitatslikerainorests.

Atthesametimeasthedevelopedworld

mustndwaystocutitsowncarbonemissionsandmanageresourcesmoreresponsibly,weareworkingtosupportdevelopingandragilecountries(whoarethemselvesentitledtogrow)tomanagetheirgrowthinalow-energy,low-carbon,andenvironmentallysustainablegreenways.

Returnedvolunteersareextremelywell-placedtosharetheirexperienceandknowledgeaboutclimatechangeandits

eects,helpingincreaseunderstandingaboutwhatishappeningaroundtheworldandsharingapproachestoresponsibleuseoresources.

Climatechangeishappeningnow.

Anditshappeningtoallous


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Lookatthisland,saysHector,aarmerinwesternHonduras.Hepointstoahillsidethatwasoncecoveredwithtrees,butnow

standsbare.Beore,armersenjoyedsecurelivelihoods,growingtheircropsintherichsoil.Now,saysanotherarmer,Romelio,thesoilisdryandtired.Werestrugglingtogrowenoughoodtosurvive.

Itsacommonstory.Illegalloggersmovein,cutthetreesdown,andmoveonstrippingtheland,damagingtheenvironment,andleavinglocalpeoplewithnothing.

Upuntilnow,no-onecouldstopthem.Foryears,theEnvironmentalMovementoCampamento(CAM)hadcampaignedagainstillegallogging,andthecorruptionthatletitcontinue.Theywantedtobringinanewlawsothatlocalpeoplehadthepowertoprotecttheirnaturalresourcesbutwerendingithardtomakeithappen.

TheircampaignsteppedupagearwhenFranciscoHernandezavolunteerwith

Progressioarrived.Anexpertinnaturalresourcemanagement,hehelpedCAMtodevelopdratlegislation.Hesupportedtheminlobbyinggovernmentdepartments,andbuildingsupportortheirproposals.Andhisinputhisskillsandexpertisemadethedierence.In2007,thenewForestry,ProtectedAreasandWildlieLawwaspassed.

Butthestorydoesntendthere.

Thelawbyitselwillnotresolveeverything,saysHector.Butitgivesusthetooltoghtcorruptioninthiscountry.

Progressioisallaboutpassingontheskillsthatpeopleneedsothattheycanbringaboutlong-termchange.SoProgressio

volunteersarecontinuingtoworkwithCAM,helpingthemmakesurethenewlawisimplemented,theenvironmentisprotected,andthepeoplewhodependonitortheirlivelihoodsaceamoresecureuture.

WehavelearnedalotromProgressio,saysHector.Weknowthattheyareouralliesandthisencouragesustocontinuewithourght.

Wewillnotletthosepeoplestealour

resourcesagain.

The power to save the orests


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ConFictResolution

andPeaceBuilding

Incredibly,countrieswhichareinthemidstoconfict,orcopingwiththeatermathoconfict,arehometo:

1/3oallpeoplelivingbelowthepoverty

line1

1/2oallchildrenwhodiebeoretheageo52

1/2oallchildrenwhoarenotinprimaryschool3

Inragilecountries,wearehelpingourpartnersmeetthechallengeomaintainingtheprovisionotheessentialandbasicservicesthataresootendeniedor

destroyedasaresultoconfict.

Notonlyaremanybasicservices,entitlementsandreedomsenshrinedinhumanrights,buttheyarealsolinkedtotheeconomicdevelopmentandsocialhealth

oragilenations.Supportingthereormolegalsystemsisotennecessarysothatthepoor-andwomen,especially-donotliveinearopersecution.

Thelinkbetweenpolitics,securityanddevelopmentisirreutable.

Inmanynations,confictandragilityarerootedinthepoliticsosharingpowerandosharingresourcesbetweenclasses,gendersandethnicities.Itisthereoreessentialthatourvolunteersworkwithourpartnerstopromotejusticeandacilitatechangethatseekstoendinequalityanddiscrimination.

1DID,EliminatingWorldPoverty:BuildingourCommonFuture,2008,pp15&69.StatisticscalculatedusingWorldBankDevelopmentIndicators2009andUNICEFStatesotheWorldsChildren2009.

2 ibid

3 ibid

Promotingjusticeandsystematicchangeisessentialincountriesthataredeeplyaectedbyconfict


15/20

Ugandacontinuestosuertheeectsomorethan20yearsoarmedconfict.Humanrightsgroupsestimatethatnearly

2millionpeoplehavebeenuprootedanddisplaced,orcedtofeetheghting.

InWesternUganda-especiallyintheareaborderingtheDemocraticPeoplesRepublicoCongo-therehasbeenconfictbetweendisplacedpeopleandlocalpeopleoverlanduse,landownership,culturaldierences,andpowerinlocalpolitics.

AspartotheirParticipation&GovernanceprogrammeinUganda,VSOhavebeenworkingonsharedobjectiveswithpartnerorganisationsinclnudingtheRwenezoriForumorPeace&Justicewheretwovolunteerssupportedaparticipatoryneedsassessment.

TheRwenzoriForumorPeaceandJusticecomprises10communitypeacegroupswithrepresentativesromeverydistrictintheregion.Itworkstopromoteconfictresolutionbetweenallcommunities.Inparticular,itsupportswomentoactas

neutralmediatorsindisputes,andtoactasHumanRightsAmbassadorstopreventutureconfictsbybuildingsocialcohesion.

ButtheForumhasacedchallengesinitsworksuchasalackounding,alackocapacity,andgovernanceissues.SotheyworkedwithVSOtodeterminehowtheymightbenetromworkingwithavolunteer.

Asaresult,VSOrecruitedDarleneGage-aCanadianvolunteerwith20yearsexperienceinconfictresolutionandrestorativejusticewithindigenouspeoples.Darlenesbackgroundmeantshehaddevelopedtheopennessandfexibilityneededinworkingwithdierentsetsotraditions.

TheremitothevolunteerplacementwastosupporttheRwenzoriForumtoincreaseitsabilitytounctionmoreeectivelyasanorganisation,andtohelpbuildastrongnetworkenablingthecommunity

peacegroupstooperatemoreeectivelythroughouttheirowndistricts.DarlenealsocoachedForumstainhowtodevelopanewstrategy,improvecommunications

activities,andsecurelonger-termunding.

ShewasaskedtoworkcloselywithoneothemembersotheForum,theIntegrated

WomensDevelopmentProgramme,whohadsecuredundingromtheEC.Shetrainedrespectedeldersinconfictresolution,mediation,andparalegalskills.TheeldersweresoondealingwithlocalpeoplewhoarrivedeachSaturdaytoseekadviceandinterventionwiththeirlandconficts,domesticconficts,tribalconficts,disputesbetweenneighbours,andevenpoliticalconficts.

Darlenesays:Theprocessoconsultingvillageeldersandclanleadersoradviceandinterventionindisputesisanancientandlong-respectedtraditioninUganda.Thisexampleoahome-grownsolutiontolocalproblemsisamodelortheworld.Itdealswithissuesattheirsource,andusestraditionalmethodsoconfictresolutiontointervenebeoreconfictsescalateoutocontrol.

Theimpactosettinguptrainingactivities

andintroducingmodernmethodssuchasmediation,hasmeanteldersarenowabletousetheirroleaswisecounsellorstobringlong-lastingsolutionsagreeduponbythecommunitiesinconfict.AndtherehasbeenawiderimpactinsupportingtheRwenzoriForumorPeaceandJusticetodevelopitselasanorganisation;itcannowserveitsmembersmoreeectively,helpingthemin-turnincreasetheirowneectivenesswithintheirowncommunities.

The Rwenzori Forum or Peace and Justice


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1 Report o the Commission on the Future o Volunteering and Maniesto or Change, January 2008. The ull report is available here:http://www.volunteering.org.uk/WhatWeDo/Policy/Commission+on+the+Future+o+Volunteering/ourfndings.htm

WeknowthatvolunteersintheUKmakeaninvaluablecontributionbyprovidingservicesandactivitieswithinsociety,supportingindividuals,andhelpingcommunitiestounction.

WealsoknowthatvolunteeringmakesaprooundcontributiontotheUKseconomy.In2005,thework,inputanddedicationovolunteersequatedto48.1billion-theequivalentoaround2.1millionull-timeworkers.1

Butwhataboutvolunteeringininternationaldevelopment?

The impact

Workinginpartnershipthroughvolunteershasanimpactonasignicantscale:

itenablespeopletotakeanactiveroleinimprovinglieintheirowncountries

itpromotessocialinclusionanddeepensparticipation

itosterspersonaltransormationandenablespeopletoempowereachother

itgrowsknowledgeandexperiencethatcanshapedevelopmentprogrammeseectively

itadvocates,campaignsandraisesawarenessatlocal,regional,nationalandinternationallevels

itconnectsgovernments,regionsandlocalpeople

Andbecauseweworkbysupportingservice

providers,trainers,organisations,institutionsandgovernmentstounctionmoreeectively,theimpactoourdevelopmentworkislong-lasting.Itdoesntstopwhentheundingdoes.

Theimpactofvolunteer

ing

indevelopment

Thesetwoexamplesdemonstratehow,inworkingwithourpartnersonmanydifferentlevels,ourvolunteersinputiseffectiveinreachingmany,manyvulnerableandpoorpeople.

Thegapbetweentherichandthepoorisnotjustmoney,itsknow-how

,says

EthiopiasEducationMinister,GennetZewide.

Educationatalllevelsisclearly

keytoEthiopiasdevelopmentandisaGovernm

entpriority.Schoolenrolment

rateshereareamongstthelowestinArica.

In2003,attherequestotheEthiopianGovernm

ent,twovolunteersdevised

andimplementedtheHigherNationalDiploma

,aschemetoimprovethe

proessionalskillsoteacher-trainers.Theyvis

itedeverycollegeanduniversity

inthecountry.Injusttwoyears,1,363Ethiopian

teachertrainerscompleted

thediploma.Theyinturntrainedaurther11,0

00localteacherswhoreturned

totheirclassroomswithnewapproaches.Inth

isway,800,000childrenhave

beneftedromtheworkstartedbyjusttwovolunteersandtheEthiop

ian

Government.


17/20

Thewaywewillgetanewschoolisthesamewaywegotthewatersupply,saysMilagros,aresidentoVillaGonzalezintheDominicanRepublic:bygettinginvolvedintheparticipatorybudgetingprocess.Underthisprocess,peopleinpoorneighbourhoodshaveareal,decisivesayi

n

whatlocalgovernmentspendsitsmoneyon.VolunteersworkingwithlocalNGOFundacionSolidaridadhaveplayedakeyroleinintroducingtheprocess:training

thestainFundacionSolidaridad;trainingcommunityleadersandcommunitygroups;trainingthelocalgovernmentsta;andbuildingupacollectionopracticalmanuals.Atfrstonlythe42,000peoplewholiveinVillaGonzalezbenefted.Butitsbeensosuccessulthatothermunicipalitieshaveaskedorhelptointroduceit.Now,morethan120municipalities(outoatotalo151acrossthecountry)havesetupparticipatorybudgeting.Thismeansthatinacountryo8.5millionpeople,themajoritynowbeneftrommoreaccessible,transparentandaccountablelocalgovernment.

AsMilagrossays:Nowweknowhowtoimproveourownlives.

Theimpactofvolunteer

ing

indevelopment

Cost-effectiveness

Workingthroughinternationalvolunteersisacost-eectivewayomeetingdevelopmentobjectivesandimprovingaideectiveness.

BetweenApril2008andMarch2009,theBritishvolunteeragencieshadatotalo 2960volunteersworkingwith1570partnersin62dierentcountries.

Theimpactoourworkquicklypermeatescommunity,amilyandworkplacenetworks.BetweenApril2008andMarch2009,wesupportedover8.1 millionpeopletoshareanddevelopskills,buildtheircapacities,andtakecontrolotheirowncontinuing

development.Itcosts61.1millionperyeartorunourvedevelopmentagencies.63%othosecosts

aremetbytheBritishGovernmentthroughstrategicundingromtheDepartmentorInternationalDevelopment.

Whenyouconsiderthewiderripple-eect

oourwork,itbecomesevenmorecost-eectivethanyoumighthaverstimagined.

Wereachmillionsmorepeoplebysupportingnationalandregionalprogrammesthataredesignedtobenetpopulationsonalargerscale,suchasadvocacyandlobbyingwork,awareness-raisingprogrammes,orcampaignsandcommunicationsinitiatives.

Itisnevertrulypossibletoaccountorhowmanypeoplearereachedbyworklikethis,

butitengages,involvesandaectssignicantportionsothepopulationsinthecountriesandregionswherewework.


18/20

InternationalService,volunteerGinnyAllonby,helpscampesinoamiliesinBoliviatogrow

saladsaspartoaprojecttrainingwomen,youngpeople,andpartnerorganisationstaintheproductionoruitsandvegetables.

Progressiovolunteer,InnocentOgaba,talkstoruralMalawianarmer,AngelinaNgoza,who,alongwith40otheramiliesinhervillage,hasescapedthecycleodebtcausedbybuyinghighpricedchemicalertilisers,pesticidesandherbicideseachyear.

Progressiovolunteer,MusaChibwana,tellsastorytoorphanedchildrenatMbuyaNehandachildrenshomeoutsideHarare,Zimbabwe,


19/20

Whatbetterwayisthereorglobalcitizenstowork,thanwithoneother?Ourlivescantgetanymoreinter-connectedthanatapersonal,one-to-onelevel.

Wehaveseenthatworkingwithvolunteersindevelopmentiscost-eective.Butitsalsomorethanthat.

Itaddsvaluetowhatwedo.Itsaboutgrowingtheglobalcommunity,growingunderstandingacrosscultures,growingskillsandexperiences,andgrowingouruture.

Ourreturnedvolunteersarepassionateadvocatesordevelopment.Theyusetheirpersonalexperiencestomakeapositivecontributiontotheirowncommunity,andtheycontinuetoraiseunderstandingandsupport ordevelopment.

Ourglobalcommunity:

impactbeyondeconom

icvalue

IleftUgandain2006andhavekeptintouchwithoccupationaltherapycolleaguesthere.Sincereturning,Ihavestudiedandgainedrelevantworkexperienceinordertobeausefulresourcetocolleaguesindevelopingcountrieswheretheimpactofdisability,povertyanddiscriminationhasanimmediateimpactonapersonshealthandqualityoflife.IhelpedformOTFrontierswiththeaimofsupportingoccupationaltherapycolleaguesindevelopingcountries;andsupportingoccupationaltherapistsintheUKwhowishtopracticein,orcontributetowards,thedevelopmentoftheprofessionindevelopingcountries.

ClaireBrundle:formerSkillshareInternationalvolunteer

MytimewithSPWhasbeenalife-changing

experience.Todiscovermyowncapabilities

andtorealizewecanworktogetherinmaking

adifferencetomycommunity.Myexperience

haswidenedmyhorizonsandIlookforwardt

o

pursuingacareerinnursingandspecialising

in

adolescenthealthcare.

Sharmila:formerSPWvolunteer,India

Andvolunteersareanimportantpartooursocialcapital.Theirtransormativeexperiencesotenleadthemtomakesignicantachievementsintheirproessionallives.Manyremaincommittedtointernationaldevelopment,continuingtogrowinternationaleortstocombatpovertyandoppression.

Isupposemyinterestinhumanrightstemsfromhavingbeingsentattheageof18toUgandaonVSO.IdneverbeenoutofBritain,Idneverbeenonanaeroplanebefore,andofcourseIhadneverworkedamongstamajorityofblackpeople.ButIveryquicklyunderstoodthatdespitetheveryconservative,shelteredupbringingIdhad,wehadanenormousamountincommon.Whatseparateduswaspoverty.

JonSnow:Channel4broadcaster,InternationalServicepatron,

andformerVSOvolunteer

Inowrunaninternationalcharitywhich

supportsovereightandahalfthousand

vulnerablechildreninZambia.Iwouldnotha

ve

evenbeenconsideredforthispositionwithou

t

theexperienceofbeingavolunteerandof

workingdirectlywithalocalNGO.

CarolineHorne:ManagerofCecilysFund

andformer

InternationalServicevolunteer


20/20

WhoaretheBritish

volunteer-sendingagen

cies?

TheBritishinternationaldevelopmentagenciesworkingthroughvolunteersare:

International Service

Progressio

Skillshare International

Students Partnership Worldwide

VSO

Withtherightsupport,peoplecanndanddeveloptheirownlastingsolutionstopoverty,inequalityandinjustice.

Webelievethatpowerulandlastingdevelopmentcomesaboutwhenpeopleworkwithpeople.Thisiswhyweworkin

partnerships,throughvolunteers.Betweenus,wehaveadiverserangeoapproaches,including:

placinghighlyskilledvolunteersonavarietyoshort-term,long-term,consultancy,andonlineplacements

recruitingvolunteersorplacementsinapartotheworlddierentromtheirown

recruitingpeopletoworkasvolunteersinthedevelopmentotheirown

communitiesandcountries providingull-timein-countryeld

teamstosupport,developandnurturepartnershipsandprogrammesowork

acilitatingnetworks,partnershipsandexchanges

supportingworkthatlobbiesorchangeatregional,nationalandinternationallevels

Butdecadesoexperiencehavetaughtus

thatwhenmotivatedandskilledvolunteersworkintheheartocommunitiesandorganisations,powerulandlastingtransormationhappensonbothsides.

www.internationalservice.org.uk www.skillshare.orgwww.progressio.org.uk

ceo - bvalg position paper 2010

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