May 26, 2010
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
UFV hosts symposium on the pros and cons of development in Africa
Many people have dreamed of travelling and changing the world. But sometimes, even with the best of intentions, those dreams can turn to dust and even tragedy when well-meaning volunteers travel overseas.
The dreams and realities of aid and development in Africa will be the focus of an upcoming symposium at the University of the Fraser Valley. Reaching Out to Africa: Making Development Projects Work takes place at UFV’s Abbotsford campus on Saturday, June 12. The event is being organized as a one-day course by UFV’s Global Development Institute, in conjunction with UFV Continuing Studies.
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| Kenyan economic development specialist Pete Ondeng is the keynote speaker at the Africa Symposium. |
The symposium will discuss the realities and effects of development, highlight the principles of overseas assistance, and provide practical advice about what to expect, and how to ensure success with your project and your personal safety. GDI director Cherie Enns says the event is for people who want to learn more about effective aid, connect with others interested in Africa, and explore ways to get involved.
Enns, who has been instrumental in arranging internships for UFV students throughout Africa and India, is also involved in several African development initiatives and projects.
“Africa's people already hold the answers to many of their challenges,” she says. “As overseas partners and friends, it is simply our privilege to come alongside and support their own development initiatives. This symposium is a way to explore approaches that really work.”
UFV’s GDI serves as a focal point for faculty, staff, and students who want to teach or conduct research in developing countries. One of the many aims of the institute, along with creating partnerships with communities, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, is to help provide learning and internship opportunities for students.
The June 12 event is designed for local aid organizations, volunteers, students, and NGOs. Kenyan economic development specialist Pete Ondeng is the keynote speaker and he will discuss strategies aimed to reduce poverty. Ondeng has extensive experience with governments and development agencies, and a personal insight into international aid issues. He is the founder and CEO of Making Africa Work, a non-profit group that strengthens African agribusiness ventures so as to improve rural livelihoods.
Symposium topics will range from fair trade marketing principles to caring for vulnerable children, and personal travel safety. Participants will also learn about effective NGO grant applications, microcredit and financial tools, and short-term volunteer opportunities. There will also be a discussion about humanitarian aid versus trade.
“Although planned with the best of intentions, development projects can be sometimes be frustratingly ineffective, and can even create more problems than they solve,” says Enns. “This symposium will focus on ways to increase the chance of success.”
Presenters and exhibitors include representatives from about 20 international organizations such as Amnesty International, the Aga Khan Foundation, CIDA, CUSO-VSO, World Vision, and the Mennonite Central Committee. There will also be displays by fair trade marketing groups such as 10,000 Villages, The Water Shed Arts Café, EcoFair Trading, Hungry for Life, and other local aid and development agencies.
Reaching Out to Africa: Making Development Projects Work will be held on Saturday, June 12, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at UFV’s Abbotsford campus. It is being offered as a UFV Continuing Studies course and there is a $110 fee. For details see www.ufv.ca/cs or call UFV Continuing Studies at 604-504-7441, local 6324, quoting course number 40206.
Meanwhile, UFV recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenyan university Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, located in Kakamega, Kenya. Yvon Dandurand, UFV’s Associate Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies, says the MoU will open up “possibilities for joint research and education programs with our colleagues in Kenya.”
UFV has also appointed a few representatives to a joint steering committee with the Kenyan university to monitor and support the development of future activities. Initial areas of cooperation may include but not be limited to: collaborative research, staff and student exchange, and curriculum development.
Enns says UFV is continuing to strengthen its ties with the African nation — partly because Abbotsford now has a Kenyan consul office, but also because many students are interested in internships and development work in Kenya.
UFV offers an Associate of Arts degree with an International and Development Studies option. The program is designed for students who might wish to pursue careers with international corporations, church work in the third world, teaching, journalism, community relations, translation, international development work, the travel industry, diplomacy, government, international trade and commerce. To find out more about the Associate of Arts degree, or UFV’s Global Development Institute, visit www.ufv.ca .
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