Post by Stefan Pasti on May 26, 2012 17:07:08 GMT -5
From the Section "Sister Community" Relationships in the IPCR document "A Multi-Angle View of the Debt Crises" (p. 244-256)
(at www.ipcri.net/A_Multi-Angle_View_of_the_Debt_Crises.pdf )
“Sister Community” Relationships
There are many communities in the world who already have “sister community” relationships with communities in other parts of the world. The organization most responsible for developing the idea of “sister communities”, and the organization most experienced in facilitating and monitoring such relationships, is “Sister Cities International”.
a) About “Sister Cities International”
i) “Our mission is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time.”
ii) “Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. As an international membership organization, we officially certify, represent and support partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions in other countries.”
iii) “Sister Cities International” represents more than 2,500 communities in 134 countries around the world.”
iv) Key program areas include:
Sustainable Development, Youth and Education, Humanitarian Assistance, Arts and Culture
v) Services provided to communities joining “Sister Cities International” include:
eligibility to apply for seed grants to support sister city projects
access to information and how-to guides
mentoring and staff consultation
b) Ten Examples of Humanitarian Aid Which Can be Explored Through “Sister Community” Relationships
Developing a “sister community” relationship could be a way for diverse people in any particular community to find common ground. And common ground associated with increasing compassion for our fellow human beings would be a very special kind of common ground. Exploring these possibilities could make it possible for many people to have first hand experience with “… bringing to the fore what is often hidden: how many good people there are, how many ways there are to do good, and how much happiness comes to those who extend help, as well as to those who receive it.”
Unfortunately, there are often so many different activities which require our attention during the course of any given day, and many of us simply do not know how much good can be done in the world with even minor contributions of time, energy, and money. Here this writer will provide the names of ten organizations—and some details about their work—which should be sufficient to bring to mind how many different kinds of positive outcomes could result from such “sister community” relationships.
The Ten Organizations (or concepts) are:
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
World Food Programme
Doctors Without Borders
TeachersWithout Borders
S3IDF (Small-Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund)
IDE (International Development Enterprises)
Heifer International
Peace Corps
Foreign Student Exchange
Adopt a Child (“Sponsoring” a child)
--The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
From the “What We Do” section of the International Federation
of The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website, see the subsection “Introduction” and then “Principles and Values” (at www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
There are many circumstances in communities around the world where the activity of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is essential for communities of people to survive natural—or human-created—disasters, and progress to a recovery and rebuilding phase. Here, this writer offers a glimpse into the Seven Fundamental Principles of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, so that readers can appreciate some of the lessons these organizations have learned from many experiences in the field of humanitarian aid.
The Seven Fundamental Principles--“Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.
“[The Seven Fundamental Principles (of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)]:
a) Humanity-- “… endeavours… to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.”
b) Impartiality—“It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs,class or political
opinions.”
c) Neutrality—“… the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies
of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.”
d) Independence—“… must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act
in accordance with the principles of the Movement.”
e) Voluntary Service—“… not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.”
f) Unity—“There can only be one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country.”
g) Universality—“… all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping
ach other….”
--World Food Programme
[From the “What We Do”/”Introduction” section of the “World Food Programme website (see www.wfp.org/operations/introduction/index.asp?section=5&sub_section=1)] (See paragraph 1) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“WFP is the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against global hunger.”
“Operations aim to:
Save lives in refugee crises and other emergencies
Improve nutrition and quality of life of world's most vulnerable people at critical
times in their lives
Enable development by (a) helping people build assets that benefit them directly;
(b) promoting the self-reliance of poor people and communities”
[From the “Who We Are”/”Facts and Figures”/”WFP by Numbers” section of the World Food Programme” website (see www.wfp.org/aboutwfp/facts/2006/index.asp?section=1&sub_section=5)] (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“WFP by Numbers
Food distributed to 87.8 million of the poorest people in the world, including 58.8 children
24.3 million people in development programmes
63.4 million beneficiaries in emergency and protracted relief and recovery operations
Operations in 78 countries around the world
90 relief operations
22 development projects and 34 country programmes in 48 countries
Total food distributed: 4 million tonnes1
26 percent for emergency operations
18 percent for development projects
2 million tons contributed in kind
2 million tons purchased with cash - valued at US$600 million, of which 77 percent was
procured in developing countries
Direct expenditure: US$ 2.9 billion
Total number of employees: 10,587
92 percent of WFP staff serve in the field”
--Doctors Without Borders
From the website of “Doctors Without Borders”. In the “About Us” section, see the “Activities” subsection (at www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/activities.cfm) (paragraphs 1, 2 and 3) (Confirmed June 12, 2008) (Note: Text in parenthesis in paragraph 1 above is from the “About Us” section, “History and Principles” subsection (at www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Every year, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides emergency medical care to millions of people caught in crises in nearly 60 countries around the world. MSF provides assistance when catastrophic events — such as armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, or natural disasters — overwhelm local health systems. MSF also assists people who face discrimination or neglect from their local health systems or when populations are otherwise excluded from health care…. (MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.)
“On any given day, close to 27,000 doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, administrators, and other qualified professionals can be found providing medical care in international teams made up of local MSF aid workers and their colleagues from around the world.
“In 2006, MSF medical teams gave more than 9 million outpatient consultations; hospitalized almost half a million patients; delivered 99,000 babies; treated 1.8 million people for malaria; treated 150,000 malnourished children; provided 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral therapy; vaccinated 1.8 million people against meningitis; and conducted 64,000 surgeries.”
From the website of www.Nobelprize.org Located by a search using the search terms “Nobel Peace Prize 1999—Presentation Speech”. (at search.nobelprize.org/search/nobel/?q=Nobel+Peace+Prize+1999&i=en&x=8&y=10) (paragraphs 1 and 2) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
In 1999, Doctors Without Borders received the Nobel Peace Prize.
[Below is an excerpt from the “Presentation Speech” for the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize]
“Few aims can be more praiseworthy than to combat suffering: to help those in the most desperate situations, whatever their race and wherever they may be, to return to a dignified life. Some persons even have the necessary strength and drive to live up to this ideal. We welcome a few of them today. We do so humbly, recognising that they are representatives of a much greater number of self-sacrificing men and women all over the world. Our thoughts go not least to those who, at this very moment, are working under the most difficult conditions, often putting their own lives at risk, in scenes of the profoundest suffering and degradation.
“Every year, Médecins Sans Frontières send out over 2,500 doctors, nurses and other professional helpers to more than 80 countries, where they co-operate with a good 15,000 local personnel. They go where need, suffering and hopelessness are greatest, indeed often catastrophic in nature, regardless of whether the catastrophes are human or natural in origin. We find them in the world's countless refugee camps, as well as among Chinese peasants, Russian prisoners, or the western world's modern city slum-dwellers. They are present in large numbers in Africa – the forgotten continent.”
--Teachers Without Borders
i) “… a huge shortage of qualified teachers….”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In the subsection “A Compelling Need”, from Bullet #5. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“The United Nations reports a huge shortage of qualified teachers, as well as a demonstrated need for accelerated, practical, local, contemporary, and flexible teacher education.”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In the subsection “A Compelling Need”, from Bullet #4. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“… evidence shows that those countries with the desire to "leapfrog" over the gaps they face in terms of skills, knowledge, and educational opportunities cannot grow through acquisition of equipment alone. They must have consistent and practical teacher training, along with the support of national education strategies.”
ii) “… the building of teacher leaders.”
From the “About Us” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website. (See www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/who_we_are.html#missiontwb) In the subsection “Mission”, see paragraph 1 (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Teachers Without Borders is a non-profit (501c3), non-denominational, international NGO founded in 2000, devoted to closing the education divide through teacher professional development and community education. Our organization focuses on the building of teacher leaders.” [From the “Mission” section of “Teachers Without Borders”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html) In the subsection “Example Programs”, see “Teachers Education”, paragraphs 1 and 2 (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“We help to grow teachers. Click on the link to read more about our Certificate of Teaching Mastery program. We identify talent and find a way of attracting, retaining, and supporting cohorts of teachers from all sectors of local communities. We find mentors for teachers to ensure subject-matter mastery and teaching technique, and then provide opportunities at our community teaching and learning centers for emerging teachers to practice. Our plan is to start from the ground up - incorporating local mentorship, distance learning, and community college offerings, then assist local talent in completion, at a high level, of course work at four-year schools. Most importantly, we provide a means of steady communication and feedback amongst cohorts of teaching talent.”
iii) One of the key resources “Teachers Without Borders” has created to assist with teacher development and community education is “Community Teaching and Learning Centers”.
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In “Definition” section, see paragraphs 1 and 3 (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“Community Teaching and Learning Centers (CTLCs) are local, practical education centers designed to be embraced by and emerge from the community itself. CTLCs use existing facilities and are often outfitted with libraries (such as dictionaries, references, educational material of general interest) and computers, face-to-face classrooms, and break-out spaces, used primarily to serve several essential functions for community sustainability.”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html) In the subsection “Definition”, from paragraph 6. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
How can they be created?
“Teachers Without Borders provides the following value:
Community organizing and readiness
Approvals by government
Site selection & development
Coordination of building retrofitting
Mutual plan, with CTLC leaders, for Internet access (with local and international investors)
Computer acquisition, shipping
Support for In-country leadership & CTLC Local Advisory Council
Extensive programs (educational, health, IT)
Organization and design of service delivery
Community Outreach”
--Small Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF)
From the homepage of S3IDF at www.s3idf.org/index.asp (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Mission: To Foster pro-poor, pro-environment small scale infrastructure services with financing and technical assistance for electricity, water, sanitation and other infrastructure (eg. transport and telecommunications) - necessary for poverty alleviation.”
From the “About Us” section of the S3IDF website, see the subsection “Our Approach” (at www.s3idf.org/dynamic/about-ourapproach.htm) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Approach:
We term our framework as the “Social Merchant Bank” where technical, financial and business support are linked and integrated for infrastructure enterprise development.
From the “About Us” section of the S3IDF website, see the subsection “Our Approach” (at www.s3idf.org/dynamic/about-ourapproach.htm) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
S3IDF’s approach:
S3IDF produces a stream of fundable small scale for-profit utilities.
•The business must be explicitly pro-poor, cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and can demonstrate a high degree of replicability.
•Implements its mission by partnering with one or more other local entities, such as NGOs, technology suppliers, academic organizations, and financial institutions.
•Provides technology/know-how, financing and business development assistance to small/fledgling entrepreneurs and community NGOs seeking to sell infrastructural services (water, energy, sanitation, transport, information) to India’s urban and rural poor
•The poor benefit in multiple ways, either as infrastructure owner/operators/employees and as consumers of infrastructure services”
--International Development Enterprises (IDE)
From the “About Us” section of the IDE website. (see www.ideorg.org/aboutus/index.php) (paragraph 1) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“IDE is a unique international non-profit organization that has been helping poor farmers in developing countries escape poverty for more than 25 years. IDE has pioneered a market-based approach that has enabled millions to permanently escape poverty. IDE uses business principles to facilitate unsubsidized market systems in which the rural poor can participate effectively as micro-entrepreneurs and earn income. In this way, our programs create an environment that helps small farmers progress from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming, beginning an upward spiral out of chronic deprivation and vulnerability.”
From the “About Us” section of the IDE website. See the subsection “Our Method” (at www.ideorg.org/method/index.php) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Method
Based on more than 25 years of experience, IDE has developed a unique market-oriented development model that benefits the rural poor. We call it PRISM (Poverty Reduction through Irrigation and Smallholder Markets). Using PRISM, IDE integrates small farm households into markets and develops sustainable businesses that reduce rural poverty worldwide.
PRISM is a set of tools that are used to develop an understanding of the unique situation of the rural poor and to create sustainable solutions to rural poverty. PRISM creates opportunities for increased income by:
•Creating networks of small enterprises to provide agricultural supplies needed by poor farmers
•Working with small farmers to improve productivity
•Linking small farm families to markets for their produce
The Prism Approach
PRISM develops enterprises that improve small farm productivity and integrate small farms into markets for effective and sustainable poverty reduction.
PRISM Principles
The goal of PRISM is to enable the rural poor to transform their knowledge and skills into sustainable income through effective market participation and improve the natural resource base upon which their livelihoods depend. PRISM projects are guided by the following principles:
Benefits reach the disadvantaged. PRISM is responsive to the unique opportunities and needs of the rural poor and emphasizes listening to, learning from and benefiting those who live in extreme poverty.
Water control is key to income generation. Innovative low cost small scale irrigation technologies enable farmers to access, store and control water in order to increase farm income, improve water use efficiency, and reduce labor.
PRISM projects are entrepreneurial. Creative market driven, business oriented solutions to poverty enable the rural poor to participate fully in markets, creating efficient, sustainable income increases.
PRISM emphasizes sustainable resource management. The PRISM approach preserves the soil, land and water resources upon which both the rural poor and the market depend.”
--Heifer International
From www.heifer.org/ourwork/approach/long-term-solutions
i) Long-Term Solutions
“Heifer applauds and supports the vital work of disaster relief organizations. However, in times of crisis, it's important to explain the distinction between their work and ours.
“Ever since our founder, Dan West, came up with the phrase "not a cup, but a cow," Heifer's approach to providing global assistance to struggling countries has been characterized by long-term development, rather than short-term relief.
“After immediate needs for food, shelter, fresh water, clothing and other necessities have been met, Heifer works within communities to empower disaster survivors with the economic means - such as livestock, training and other resources - to rebuild their families, their neighborhoods and their hope for sustainable futures.
“Here's how Heifer International works:
A typical Heifer project consists of three essential components:
• Livestock and other material goods
• Training and extension work
• Organizational development, which includes planning, management, record keeping, passing on the gift, reporting and evaluation.
“And it all starts in a community.
“First, Heifer helps a community group analyze their situation. They ask: What do we need? What are our resources? What would we like to see happen in five years? Then, they plan specific activities to achieve their goals.
“At this point, the Heifer "living loan" becomes reality. Farmers prepare for their animals by participating in training sessions, building sheds, and sometimes planting trees and grasses.
“Then the livestock arrives – bringing with it the benefits of milk, wool, draft power, eggs and offspring to pass on to another farmer.
“Finally, the group evaluates its progress, and the cycle repeats as the group moves to more and more ambitious goals, each time visioning, deciding, implementing and reflecting.
“Every family and community that receives assistance promises to repay their living loan by donating one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need. This practice of "Passing on the Gift" ensures project sustainability, develops community and enhances self-esteem by allowing project partners to become donors.
“This is Heifer's sustainable approach to ending hunger and poverty – one family, one animal at a time. It's not temporary relief. It's not a handout. It's securing a future with generations of people who have hope, health and dignity.”
ii) Gift Catalog
From secure1.heifer.org/gift-catalog
“Choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.
“After completing the checkout process, you will have the opportunity to create personalized cards to tell your friends and family that you have honored them with a Heifer gift.”
--Peace Corps
From the website of The Peace Corps, see the section “What is the Peace Corps?” (at www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc) (paragraphs 1 and 2) [Note: Statistics from the “Fast Facts” subsection of “What is the Peace Corps?” (at www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.fastfacts) (see “Volunteers by Work Area”] (Both confirmed June 12, 2008)
“The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.”
“Since that time, more than 190,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work… (in the following areas): Education (36%), Health & HIV/AIDS (21%), Business (15%), Environment (14%), Youth (6%), Agriculture (5%), Other (4%).”
--Foreign Student Exchange
i) About foreign student exchange programs
From keyword “student exchange program” at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_exchange_program) (See paragraphs 1-4) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“A student exchange program is a program in which a student, typically in secondary or higher education, chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, among other things, language and culture. These programs are sometimes called ‘exchanges’ because different countries participating in the program will trade off students in this fashion. The students live with a host family, who are usually unpaid volunteers and often have a child the same age who has also participated (or is going to participate) in a similar exchange program. Host families are usually vetted by the organization co-ordinating the program.
“Student exchanges became popular after World War II. And have the aim of helping to increase the participants’ understanding and tolerance of other cultures, as well as improving their language skills and broadening their social horizons.
“An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a relatively short period of time, often 6 to 10 months, in contrast to international students or those on study abroad programs which often last for several years.
“These programs are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as World Education Program WEP) Australia, Rotary International’s Rotary Youth Exchange, EF Foundation for Foreign Study, AFS, AIFS’s Academic Year in America and Youth for Understanding, which offer some of the more popular programs. Other organizations such as the Kiwanis or Lions Clubs offer similar programs.”
ii) About the “American Foreign Exchange” (AFS) program
From the “What We Do” section of the AFS website (at www.afs.org/afs_or/view/what_we_do) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
AFS Statement of Purpose
“AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organizztion that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.”
The Core Values and Attributes of AFS
“AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity and intolerance.
“AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages rep sect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion, or social status.
“AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.”
“Adopted at the 1993 World Congress.”
--Sponsor a Child—Children International
i) What is Children International?
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/whoWeAre.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 1) Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Children International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities.”
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website, in the subsection “Vision, Mission, Goal” (at www.children.org/vision.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (see “Our Mission”) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our mission is to help children living in dire poverty. This is accomplished through the generosity of our contributors, by providing children with program benefits and services that meet basic needs, enhance their self-esteem and raise their physical and educational levels in a meaningful, lasting way.”
ii) What does Children International do?
From the “How We Help Children” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/howHelpChildren.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 5 and 4) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our child sponsorship solution provides health, educational, material and emotional aid to impoverished children around the world. One-to-one sponsorship gives these children the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and realize their full potential.” (from the “How Help Children” section)
“Children International’s sponsorship program is designed to impact every aspect of a child’s life. Sponsored children receive life-changing assistance in areas such as:
--Health: access to a doctor, dentist, vaccines and medicine
--Education: uniforms and school supplies, tuition assistance, access to libraries
and tutoring
--Nutrition: malnutrition screenings, feeding programs, supplements and
educational programs
--Youth: peer education, leadership and vocational training, civic responsibility
and scholarships
--Community: clean water incentives, sanitary latrines and micro-enterprise
programs and grants
--Family: household items, income-generation programs, educational
opportunities and housing and home-repair assistance”
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/whoWeAre.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 3) Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our sponsorship program currently benefits more than 300,000 impoverished children and their families in 11 countries throughout the world, including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia.”
iii) Realities of Poverty
From the “How We Help Children” section of the Children International website. See the subsection “Realities of Poverty” (at www.children.org/poverty.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Poverty is reality for nearly half the world’s population… almost 3 billion people. And of those, more than 1 billion subsist on less than $1 a day. For them, the smallest of necessities seem impossible—every step is another obstacle to overcome. The statistics tell a grim tale:
--Poverty is the number one killer in the world (British Medical Journal)
--Six-million children under the age of 5 die as a result of hunger and malnutrition
every year (UNICEF)
--More than 1 billion people live without access to safe drinking water (UN)
--More than 78% of the developing world’s urban population now lives in slums
(UN-Habitat)”
(at www.ipcri.net/A_Multi-Angle_View_of_the_Debt_Crises.pdf )
“Sister Community” Relationships
There are many communities in the world who already have “sister community” relationships with communities in other parts of the world. The organization most responsible for developing the idea of “sister communities”, and the organization most experienced in facilitating and monitoring such relationships, is “Sister Cities International”.
a) About “Sister Cities International”
i) “Our mission is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time.”
ii) “Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. As an international membership organization, we officially certify, represent and support partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions in other countries.”
iii) “Sister Cities International” represents more than 2,500 communities in 134 countries around the world.”
iv) Key program areas include:
Sustainable Development, Youth and Education, Humanitarian Assistance, Arts and Culture
v) Services provided to communities joining “Sister Cities International” include:
eligibility to apply for seed grants to support sister city projects
access to information and how-to guides
mentoring and staff consultation
b) Ten Examples of Humanitarian Aid Which Can be Explored Through “Sister Community” Relationships
Developing a “sister community” relationship could be a way for diverse people in any particular community to find common ground. And common ground associated with increasing compassion for our fellow human beings would be a very special kind of common ground. Exploring these possibilities could make it possible for many people to have first hand experience with “… bringing to the fore what is often hidden: how many good people there are, how many ways there are to do good, and how much happiness comes to those who extend help, as well as to those who receive it.”
Unfortunately, there are often so many different activities which require our attention during the course of any given day, and many of us simply do not know how much good can be done in the world with even minor contributions of time, energy, and money. Here this writer will provide the names of ten organizations—and some details about their work—which should be sufficient to bring to mind how many different kinds of positive outcomes could result from such “sister community” relationships.
The Ten Organizations (or concepts) are:
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
World Food Programme
Doctors Without Borders
TeachersWithout Borders
S3IDF (Small-Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund)
IDE (International Development Enterprises)
Heifer International
Peace Corps
Foreign Student Exchange
Adopt a Child (“Sponsoring” a child)
--The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
From the “What We Do” section of the International Federation
of The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website, see the subsection “Introduction” and then “Principles and Values” (at www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
There are many circumstances in communities around the world where the activity of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is essential for communities of people to survive natural—or human-created—disasters, and progress to a recovery and rebuilding phase. Here, this writer offers a glimpse into the Seven Fundamental Principles of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, so that readers can appreciate some of the lessons these organizations have learned from many experiences in the field of humanitarian aid.
The Seven Fundamental Principles--“Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.
“[The Seven Fundamental Principles (of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)]:
a) Humanity-- “… endeavours… to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.”
b) Impartiality—“It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs,class or political
opinions.”
c) Neutrality—“… the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies
of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.”
d) Independence—“… must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act
in accordance with the principles of the Movement.”
e) Voluntary Service—“… not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.”
f) Unity—“There can only be one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country.”
g) Universality—“… all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping
ach other….”
--World Food Programme
[From the “What We Do”/”Introduction” section of the “World Food Programme website (see www.wfp.org/operations/introduction/index.asp?section=5&sub_section=1)] (See paragraph 1) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“WFP is the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against global hunger.”
“Operations aim to:
Save lives in refugee crises and other emergencies
Improve nutrition and quality of life of world's most vulnerable people at critical
times in their lives
Enable development by (a) helping people build assets that benefit them directly;
(b) promoting the self-reliance of poor people and communities”
[From the “Who We Are”/”Facts and Figures”/”WFP by Numbers” section of the World Food Programme” website (see www.wfp.org/aboutwfp/facts/2006/index.asp?section=1&sub_section=5)] (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“WFP by Numbers
Food distributed to 87.8 million of the poorest people in the world, including 58.8 children
24.3 million people in development programmes
63.4 million beneficiaries in emergency and protracted relief and recovery operations
Operations in 78 countries around the world
90 relief operations
22 development projects and 34 country programmes in 48 countries
Total food distributed: 4 million tonnes1
26 percent for emergency operations
18 percent for development projects
2 million tons contributed in kind
2 million tons purchased with cash - valued at US$600 million, of which 77 percent was
procured in developing countries
Direct expenditure: US$ 2.9 billion
Total number of employees: 10,587
92 percent of WFP staff serve in the field”
--Doctors Without Borders
From the website of “Doctors Without Borders”. In the “About Us” section, see the “Activities” subsection (at www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/activities.cfm) (paragraphs 1, 2 and 3) (Confirmed June 12, 2008) (Note: Text in parenthesis in paragraph 1 above is from the “About Us” section, “History and Principles” subsection (at www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Every year, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides emergency medical care to millions of people caught in crises in nearly 60 countries around the world. MSF provides assistance when catastrophic events — such as armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, or natural disasters — overwhelm local health systems. MSF also assists people who face discrimination or neglect from their local health systems or when populations are otherwise excluded from health care…. (MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.)
“On any given day, close to 27,000 doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, administrators, and other qualified professionals can be found providing medical care in international teams made up of local MSF aid workers and their colleagues from around the world.
“In 2006, MSF medical teams gave more than 9 million outpatient consultations; hospitalized almost half a million patients; delivered 99,000 babies; treated 1.8 million people for malaria; treated 150,000 malnourished children; provided 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral therapy; vaccinated 1.8 million people against meningitis; and conducted 64,000 surgeries.”
From the website of www.Nobelprize.org Located by a search using the search terms “Nobel Peace Prize 1999—Presentation Speech”. (at search.nobelprize.org/search/nobel/?q=Nobel+Peace+Prize+1999&i=en&x=8&y=10) (paragraphs 1 and 2) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
In 1999, Doctors Without Borders received the Nobel Peace Prize.
[Below is an excerpt from the “Presentation Speech” for the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize]
“Few aims can be more praiseworthy than to combat suffering: to help those in the most desperate situations, whatever their race and wherever they may be, to return to a dignified life. Some persons even have the necessary strength and drive to live up to this ideal. We welcome a few of them today. We do so humbly, recognising that they are representatives of a much greater number of self-sacrificing men and women all over the world. Our thoughts go not least to those who, at this very moment, are working under the most difficult conditions, often putting their own lives at risk, in scenes of the profoundest suffering and degradation.
“Every year, Médecins Sans Frontières send out over 2,500 doctors, nurses and other professional helpers to more than 80 countries, where they co-operate with a good 15,000 local personnel. They go where need, suffering and hopelessness are greatest, indeed often catastrophic in nature, regardless of whether the catastrophes are human or natural in origin. We find them in the world's countless refugee camps, as well as among Chinese peasants, Russian prisoners, or the western world's modern city slum-dwellers. They are present in large numbers in Africa – the forgotten continent.”
--Teachers Without Borders
i) “… a huge shortage of qualified teachers….”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In the subsection “A Compelling Need”, from Bullet #5. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“The United Nations reports a huge shortage of qualified teachers, as well as a demonstrated need for accelerated, practical, local, contemporary, and flexible teacher education.”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In the subsection “A Compelling Need”, from Bullet #4. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“… evidence shows that those countries with the desire to "leapfrog" over the gaps they face in terms of skills, knowledge, and educational opportunities cannot grow through acquisition of equipment alone. They must have consistent and practical teacher training, along with the support of national education strategies.”
ii) “… the building of teacher leaders.”
From the “About Us” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website. (See www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/who_we_are.html#missiontwb) In the subsection “Mission”, see paragraph 1 (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Teachers Without Borders is a non-profit (501c3), non-denominational, international NGO founded in 2000, devoted to closing the education divide through teacher professional development and community education. Our organization focuses on the building of teacher leaders.” [From the “Mission” section of “Teachers Without Borders”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html) In the subsection “Example Programs”, see “Teachers Education”, paragraphs 1 and 2 (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“We help to grow teachers. Click on the link to read more about our Certificate of Teaching Mastery program. We identify talent and find a way of attracting, retaining, and supporting cohorts of teachers from all sectors of local communities. We find mentors for teachers to ensure subject-matter mastery and teaching technique, and then provide opportunities at our community teaching and learning centers for emerging teachers to practice. Our plan is to start from the ground up - incorporating local mentorship, distance learning, and community college offerings, then assist local talent in completion, at a high level, of course work at four-year schools. Most importantly, we provide a means of steady communication and feedback amongst cohorts of teaching talent.”
iii) One of the key resources “Teachers Without Borders” has created to assist with teacher development and community education is “Community Teaching and Learning Centers”.
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html)
In “Definition” section, see paragraphs 1 and 3 (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
“Community Teaching and Learning Centers (CTLCs) are local, practical education centers designed to be embraced by and emerge from the community itself. CTLCs use existing facilities and are often outfitted with libraries (such as dictionaries, references, educational material of general interest) and computers, face-to-face classrooms, and break-out spaces, used primarily to serve several essential functions for community sustainability.”
From the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” section of the “Teachers Without Borders” website (see www.teacherswithoutborders.org/html/ctlc.html) In the subsection “Definition”, from paragraph 6. (Confirmed May 12, 2008)
How can they be created?
“Teachers Without Borders provides the following value:
Community organizing and readiness
Approvals by government
Site selection & development
Coordination of building retrofitting
Mutual plan, with CTLC leaders, for Internet access (with local and international investors)
Computer acquisition, shipping
Support for In-country leadership & CTLC Local Advisory Council
Extensive programs (educational, health, IT)
Organization and design of service delivery
Community Outreach”
--Small Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF)
From the homepage of S3IDF at www.s3idf.org/index.asp (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Mission: To Foster pro-poor, pro-environment small scale infrastructure services with financing and technical assistance for electricity, water, sanitation and other infrastructure (eg. transport and telecommunications) - necessary for poverty alleviation.”
From the “About Us” section of the S3IDF website, see the subsection “Our Approach” (at www.s3idf.org/dynamic/about-ourapproach.htm) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Approach:
We term our framework as the “Social Merchant Bank” where technical, financial and business support are linked and integrated for infrastructure enterprise development.
From the “About Us” section of the S3IDF website, see the subsection “Our Approach” (at www.s3idf.org/dynamic/about-ourapproach.htm) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
S3IDF’s approach:
S3IDF produces a stream of fundable small scale for-profit utilities.
•The business must be explicitly pro-poor, cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and can demonstrate a high degree of replicability.
•Implements its mission by partnering with one or more other local entities, such as NGOs, technology suppliers, academic organizations, and financial institutions.
•Provides technology/know-how, financing and business development assistance to small/fledgling entrepreneurs and community NGOs seeking to sell infrastructural services (water, energy, sanitation, transport, information) to India’s urban and rural poor
•The poor benefit in multiple ways, either as infrastructure owner/operators/employees and as consumers of infrastructure services”
--International Development Enterprises (IDE)
From the “About Us” section of the IDE website. (see www.ideorg.org/aboutus/index.php) (paragraph 1) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“IDE is a unique international non-profit organization that has been helping poor farmers in developing countries escape poverty for more than 25 years. IDE has pioneered a market-based approach that has enabled millions to permanently escape poverty. IDE uses business principles to facilitate unsubsidized market systems in which the rural poor can participate effectively as micro-entrepreneurs and earn income. In this way, our programs create an environment that helps small farmers progress from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming, beginning an upward spiral out of chronic deprivation and vulnerability.”
From the “About Us” section of the IDE website. See the subsection “Our Method” (at www.ideorg.org/method/index.php) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“Our Method
Based on more than 25 years of experience, IDE has developed a unique market-oriented development model that benefits the rural poor. We call it PRISM (Poverty Reduction through Irrigation and Smallholder Markets). Using PRISM, IDE integrates small farm households into markets and develops sustainable businesses that reduce rural poverty worldwide.
PRISM is a set of tools that are used to develop an understanding of the unique situation of the rural poor and to create sustainable solutions to rural poverty. PRISM creates opportunities for increased income by:
•Creating networks of small enterprises to provide agricultural supplies needed by poor farmers
•Working with small farmers to improve productivity
•Linking small farm families to markets for their produce
The Prism Approach
PRISM develops enterprises that improve small farm productivity and integrate small farms into markets for effective and sustainable poverty reduction.
PRISM Principles
The goal of PRISM is to enable the rural poor to transform their knowledge and skills into sustainable income through effective market participation and improve the natural resource base upon which their livelihoods depend. PRISM projects are guided by the following principles:
Benefits reach the disadvantaged. PRISM is responsive to the unique opportunities and needs of the rural poor and emphasizes listening to, learning from and benefiting those who live in extreme poverty.
Water control is key to income generation. Innovative low cost small scale irrigation technologies enable farmers to access, store and control water in order to increase farm income, improve water use efficiency, and reduce labor.
PRISM projects are entrepreneurial. Creative market driven, business oriented solutions to poverty enable the rural poor to participate fully in markets, creating efficient, sustainable income increases.
PRISM emphasizes sustainable resource management. The PRISM approach preserves the soil, land and water resources upon which both the rural poor and the market depend.”
--Heifer International
From www.heifer.org/ourwork/approach/long-term-solutions
i) Long-Term Solutions
“Heifer applauds and supports the vital work of disaster relief organizations. However, in times of crisis, it's important to explain the distinction between their work and ours.
“Ever since our founder, Dan West, came up with the phrase "not a cup, but a cow," Heifer's approach to providing global assistance to struggling countries has been characterized by long-term development, rather than short-term relief.
“After immediate needs for food, shelter, fresh water, clothing and other necessities have been met, Heifer works within communities to empower disaster survivors with the economic means - such as livestock, training and other resources - to rebuild their families, their neighborhoods and their hope for sustainable futures.
“Here's how Heifer International works:
A typical Heifer project consists of three essential components:
• Livestock and other material goods
• Training and extension work
• Organizational development, which includes planning, management, record keeping, passing on the gift, reporting and evaluation.
“And it all starts in a community.
“First, Heifer helps a community group analyze their situation. They ask: What do we need? What are our resources? What would we like to see happen in five years? Then, they plan specific activities to achieve their goals.
“At this point, the Heifer "living loan" becomes reality. Farmers prepare for their animals by participating in training sessions, building sheds, and sometimes planting trees and grasses.
“Then the livestock arrives – bringing with it the benefits of milk, wool, draft power, eggs and offspring to pass on to another farmer.
“Finally, the group evaluates its progress, and the cycle repeats as the group moves to more and more ambitious goals, each time visioning, deciding, implementing and reflecting.
“Every family and community that receives assistance promises to repay their living loan by donating one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need. This practice of "Passing on the Gift" ensures project sustainability, develops community and enhances self-esteem by allowing project partners to become donors.
“This is Heifer's sustainable approach to ending hunger and poverty – one family, one animal at a time. It's not temporary relief. It's not a handout. It's securing a future with generations of people who have hope, health and dignity.”
ii) Gift Catalog
From secure1.heifer.org/gift-catalog
“Choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.
“After completing the checkout process, you will have the opportunity to create personalized cards to tell your friends and family that you have honored them with a Heifer gift.”
--Peace Corps
From the website of The Peace Corps, see the section “What is the Peace Corps?” (at www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc) (paragraphs 1 and 2) [Note: Statistics from the “Fast Facts” subsection of “What is the Peace Corps?” (at www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.fastfacts) (see “Volunteers by Work Area”] (Both confirmed June 12, 2008)
“The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.”
“Since that time, more than 190,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work… (in the following areas): Education (36%), Health & HIV/AIDS (21%), Business (15%), Environment (14%), Youth (6%), Agriculture (5%), Other (4%).”
--Foreign Student Exchange
i) About foreign student exchange programs
From keyword “student exchange program” at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_exchange_program) (See paragraphs 1-4) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
“A student exchange program is a program in which a student, typically in secondary or higher education, chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, among other things, language and culture. These programs are sometimes called ‘exchanges’ because different countries participating in the program will trade off students in this fashion. The students live with a host family, who are usually unpaid volunteers and often have a child the same age who has also participated (or is going to participate) in a similar exchange program. Host families are usually vetted by the organization co-ordinating the program.
“Student exchanges became popular after World War II. And have the aim of helping to increase the participants’ understanding and tolerance of other cultures, as well as improving their language skills and broadening their social horizons.
“An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a relatively short period of time, often 6 to 10 months, in contrast to international students or those on study abroad programs which often last for several years.
“These programs are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as World Education Program WEP) Australia, Rotary International’s Rotary Youth Exchange, EF Foundation for Foreign Study, AFS, AIFS’s Academic Year in America and Youth for Understanding, which offer some of the more popular programs. Other organizations such as the Kiwanis or Lions Clubs offer similar programs.”
ii) About the “American Foreign Exchange” (AFS) program
From the “What We Do” section of the AFS website (at www.afs.org/afs_or/view/what_we_do) (Confirmed June 12, 2008)
AFS Statement of Purpose
“AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organizztion that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.”
The Core Values and Attributes of AFS
“AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity and intolerance.
“AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages rep sect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion, or social status.
“AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.”
“Adopted at the 1993 World Congress.”
--Sponsor a Child—Children International
i) What is Children International?
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/whoWeAre.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 1) Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Children International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities.”
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website, in the subsection “Vision, Mission, Goal” (at www.children.org/vision.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (see “Our Mission”) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our mission is to help children living in dire poverty. This is accomplished through the generosity of our contributors, by providing children with program benefits and services that meet basic needs, enhance their self-esteem and raise their physical and educational levels in a meaningful, lasting way.”
ii) What does Children International do?
From the “How We Help Children” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/howHelpChildren.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 5 and 4) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our child sponsorship solution provides health, educational, material and emotional aid to impoverished children around the world. One-to-one sponsorship gives these children the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and realize their full potential.” (from the “How Help Children” section)
“Children International’s sponsorship program is designed to impact every aspect of a child’s life. Sponsored children receive life-changing assistance in areas such as:
--Health: access to a doctor, dentist, vaccines and medicine
--Education: uniforms and school supplies, tuition assistance, access to libraries
and tutoring
--Nutrition: malnutrition screenings, feeding programs, supplements and
educational programs
--Youth: peer education, leadership and vocational training, civic responsibility
and scholarships
--Community: clean water incentives, sanitary latrines and micro-enterprise
programs and grants
--Family: household items, income-generation programs, educational
opportunities and housing and home-repair assistance”
From the “Who We Are” section of the Children International website. (See www.children.org/whoWeAre.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (paragraphs 3) Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Our sponsorship program currently benefits more than 300,000 impoverished children and their families in 11 countries throughout the world, including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia.”
iii) Realities of Poverty
From the “How We Help Children” section of the Children International website. See the subsection “Realities of Poverty” (at www.children.org/poverty.asp?sid=B8D60C04-224E-4707-8B70-778EC0637971) (Confirmed June 13, 2008)
“Poverty is reality for nearly half the world’s population… almost 3 billion people. And of those, more than 1 billion subsist on less than $1 a day. For them, the smallest of necessities seem impossible—every step is another obstacle to overcome. The statistics tell a grim tale:
--Poverty is the number one killer in the world (British Medical Journal)
--Six-million children under the age of 5 die as a result of hunger and malnutrition
every year (UNICEF)
--More than 1 billion people live without access to safe drinking water (UN)
--More than 78% of the developing world’s urban population now lives in slums
(UN-Habitat)”