Hello, Everyone,

I am basically NEW at the Ned Project, so you have to let me know what you want me to do. It is true that Fred and I are very good friends. We are in constant contact.

As a professional I teach High School English and I am sponsor for a group of students interested in learning more about African cultures. :)

Brenda

David Bale said:

Kayiwa asks:

Which kind of people should seat on the side of [Area 2227]? What measures should i take to get them?

Kayiwa's question is a complex one.

The easy answer is to say that it is entirely up to him to contact whoever he likes, since there are no restrictions about who should or should not become actively involved in a WCP partnership. The only restriction is geograpical: those who are speaking for area 2227 should live or work in the area.

I arranged for the allocations of partner areas to take place on this year's International Day of Peace because I see the Connectory project's goal and purpose as being peaceful in the deepest sense of the word. In other words, if people within a single community can focus on understanding what would contribute to the creation of a fairer and better world, then the sharing of that understanding must, in some fashion, contribute to peace in the world.

So, with that in mind, what is it that WCP participants should be hoping to get from participating?

I think I started out by assuming there would be two lists. Put crudely, folk from rich countries would want emotional benefits (to feel they had been "doing some good"); folk from poor countries would want to see material benefits (donations and improved conditions). However, the more I've thought about it, the more convinced I've become that there is just one list common to all participants:

So what might both Kampala AND Houston both hope to gain from the WCP?

1. the chance to understand more about what the world is really like

2. prospects of a more understanding and peaceful world

3. finding shared causes to unite behind (especially re MDGs)

4. the chance to feel better about itself (by both giving and receiving)

5. collaborative ventures (in pursuit of the MDGs)

6. new opportunities

   • new ideas
   • new cultural experiences
   • new destinations (in relation to work projects / recreational pursuits)
   • discovery of new talents

7. friendships

   • photo exchanges (with donated cameras, perhaps)
   • pen pals
   • twinnings (not civic twinning, but pairings of towns, villages and neighbourhoods; of schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, scouting groups, teams and other occupational groups)
   • visits and exchanges
   • peace tiles
   • joint festivals and exhibitions

So, in the light of this, the people Kayiwa needs to contact are not only those whom he thinks are most likely to be interested in participating in the WCP, but also those who are most likely to inspire people to participate in Texas.

Returning to the symbol of the seesaw, Kayiwa's question might be re-phrased so that it asks which groups of people in Kampala might best provoke a positive response from people in Houston.

One answer to that might be that the best response would be evoked by the most interesting stories and by situations that might be alleviated if direct action were to be taken promptly by those listening to them.

That's why I think we should be aiming to prepare a small promotional online document that outlines specific pieces of work being done to overcome difficulties and disadvantage within Area 2227.

We could start by featuring the story of KJT, plus, for example, an enterprising solution to poverty within a single family business and a community initiative that is bringing benefits to the whole neighbourhood. The stories should contain examples of specific actions that people in a partner area might take to improve things.

Sorry that this post is not very straightforward, Kayiwa; only there is no simple answer.

One approach you could try, though, would be to list Community based organisations that are contributing towards the achievement of the MDGs.

I took from the Concern website, these extracts from a list of their field partners. I've added one or two contact details I discovered elsewhere:

Action for Slum Health and Development

PO Box 16539 Kampala

African Evangelistic Enterprises

P.O Box 30768, Plot 12,Berkeley Rd. Phone, 256-41-250386

Kisenyi Community Health Workers Association

Mengo Kisenyi Youth Development Association

Uganda National Association of the Deaf

Plot 118, Kamwokya, Bukot Street

P.O. Box 7339 Kampala (Uganda)

I think I'm right in saying that each of these field partners for Concern will represent or serve a host of community based organisations. For example, African Evangelistic Enterprises is a microfinance agency assessing applicants for loans. You will know if they are based in Area 2227 or not. By spreadin the word about what the WCP is trying to do, you will hopefully find lots of interesting stories to relate to people in Houston, from which we can select the most compelling.

Finally, a reminder of the MDGs:

End Poverty and Hunger

• fewer living on less than $1 per day
• decent employment for all
• fewer hungry

Universal Education

• primary schooling for all

Gender Equality

• gender equality in education

Child Health

• reduce child mortality

Maternal Health

• reduce maternal mortality
• universal access to reproductive health

Combat Disease

• contain & reverse spread of HIV/AIDS
• universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS
• halt & reverse incidence of malaria & other major diseases

Environmental Sustainability

• reduction of greenhouse gases
• biodiversity
• safe water & sanitation
• slum improvements

Global Partnership

• addressing special needs of least developed countries
• fair trading systems
• reduced debt service burden
• full youth employment
• affordable drugs
• access to information and new technologies