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Cuso International Cuso International Cuso International is… An international non-governmental organization working to reduce poverty and inequalities A strategic partner of VSO International, working in over 40 countries Sends people, not aid money: sharing skills to support the achievement of development goals Thematic Areas Participation and Governance Disability Secure Livelihoods HIV and AIDS Education Health Where do we work? Through our strategic alliance with VSO, and our independent Cuso International programming we currently work in the following countries: Bangladesh Honduras Pakistan Thailand Bolivia India Papua New Guinea Uganda Burkina Faso Jamaica Peru Vietnam Cambodia Indonesia Philippines Zambia Cameroon Kenya Rwanda Zimbabwe El Salvador Laos South Africa Ethiopia Malawi Sierra Leone The Gambia Mongolia Sri Lanka Guatemala Mozambique Tajikistan Ghana Nepal Tanzania Guyana Nigeria Our “360 degree” volunteer movement • We are more than “North-to-South” volunteering! We promote and engage in a variety of “360 degree” volunteer programs and initiatives: North-to-South volunteering South-to-South volunteering National Volunteering Diaspora Volunteering South-to-North volunteering Corporate Partnerships The volunteer profile The average age of our volunteer is 42 years of age, and we recruit skilled professionals from a range of backgrounds. • Basic volunteer criteria: Have a recognized qualification Minimum 2 to 5 years of professional experience Attend week-long pre-departure training Successfully complete an "assessment day” Obtain medical and criminal records clearances Be available for 6 months to 2 years Zest project Zanzibar Enterprise and Sustainable Tourism ZEST Capacity building Supply of products to Skills development, high end markets employment options & (hotels, restaurants, entrepreneurship export/ processing for value addition Sustainable use of natural resources conservation and environmental protection Community based tourism, cultural products & links to economic development EL SALVADOR Tourism and Theater TOWN OF SUCHITOTO with the support of the STRATFORD FESTIVAL MODEL FOREST AND ECOTOURISM BOLIVIA CAMEROON THE PHILIPPINES .
Recommended publications
  • Your Legacy Spring 2017
    CUSO INTERNATIONAL’S MAGAZINE THE ON GLOBAL VOLUNTEERING CATALYSTSPRING 2017 Continue your legacy Volunteer again! cusointernational.org THE CATALYST | 1 INSIDE LETTER 2 FROM THE CHAIR LASTING 3 LEGACIES FULL 7 CIRCLE THE THINGS 10 THAT MATTER HAVE SKILLS 12 WILL TRAVEL 13 ALUMNOTES Cuso International staff member Fabiola Quesada and volunteer Christophe Massamba participate in the #NiUnaMenos march in Peru against gender violence The Catalyst is published by Cuso International Cuso International is a registered Cuso International is a non-profit international development charitable organization. organization, working to improve the lives of people living with Canada: No. 81111 6813 RR0001 poverty and inequality around the globe. Each year we mobilize hundreds of volunteer professionals who work with local partners to create positive, lasting change. Established in 1961, Cuso Inter- We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government national is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. Patron: His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. We wish to thank the many volunteers, alumni, partners and staff who have contributed to this edition of The Catalyst. © Cuso International, 2017. Printed in Canada Please send your comments, ideas and submissions to: Le Catalyseur est également disponible en français | The Catalyst [email protected] is also available in French 2 | THE CATALYST LETTER page 8 from the CHAIR page 12 As a past volunteer of Cuso International, you no doubt share my desire to be involved in creating a more humane world. This was one of the reasons I decided to become the Chair of Cuso International’s Board of Directors.
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  • ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 Cuso International Would Like to Recognize Our Patron, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
    ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 Cuso International would like to recognize our patron, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. The governor general plays a key role in promoting national identity by support- ing and promoting Canadian values, diversity, inclusion, culture and heritage. As such, the governor general is patron of many community, charitable, military and cultural associations, as well as public service organizations, lending them vital support and recognition for their outstanding contributions to society. Photo credit: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2015. Cuso International Cuso International gratefully acknowledges the financial support is a registered charitable of our donors, partners and the Government of Canada (through organisation in Canada. Global Affairs Canada). No. 81111 6813 RR0001 We are supported by donors in the United States through Friends of Cuso International. This report is also available in French and Spanish | Ce IRS tax number: EIN 30-0545486 bulletin est également disponible en anglais et espagnol | Este informe también está disponible en francés y en inglés For additional copies, please contact: [email protected] © Cuso International, 2017. Printed in Canada LEADERSHIP MESSAGE e are in a new era in development partners for allowing us to work with Waround the world: the Sustainable them and our volunteers for taking on Development Goals. Spearheaded by these special assignments. the United Nations, the Goals represent Volunteers are essential for achieving a world-wide action plan for equitable, the Sustainable Development Goals. socially inclusive and environmentally They create new spaces of interaction sustainable economic development. between governments and individuals, Beneficiaries There is a new era for development in and they leverage the combined energy 617,325 Canada as well, with the new Feminist of all people.
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  • VOLUNTEER VOICES Tangina Mehnaz Voluntary Service Overseas
    IVCO Conference I Volunteer Voices VOLUNTEER VOICES Tangina Mehnaz Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO ) International Ms Tangina Mehnaz graduated from Bangladesh, where she worked as volunteer of Global Xchange (GX) and then took an internship with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), working on their Liveli- hoods and Good Governance Programme. When her placement was finished, she started working as Project Support Coordinator of the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme. Ms Mehnaz support- ed, implemented and managed the project activities, helping to provide solutions to the day to day obstacles on the field and at an administrative level. She also helped partner organizations and staff to seek support from government and other institutions. Ms Mehnaz is from Bangladesh and is enrolled in a Master’s degree programme on Comparative Local Development, organized by the consortium of Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Regensburg (Germany) and University of Trento (Italy). She holds Bachelor‘s and Master’s degrees in Anthro- pology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Gregory Okonofua Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) International Mr Gregory Okonofua supports International Citizen Service in a vol- untary capacity in Kwali, northern Nigeria. With Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), he served as a team leader for two cycles in Kwali, Abuja FCT in 2015. His first placement was during the South-South North (Nigeria-Kenya-UK) cycle from June-September 2015 and then from October-December 2015. The project he was working on was Improving the Quality of Science and Mathematics Education through Inclusive Neighbourhood Spaces. Mr Okonofua is a youth champion and active citizen from Edo State, Niger-Delta, Nigeria.
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  • LEARNING and LEADING to Reduce Global Poverty and Inequality—Annual Report 2013-2014 INSIDE EXECUTIVE 1 MESSAGE
    LEARNING AND LEADING To reduce global poverty and inequality—Annual Report 2013-2014 INSIDE EXECUTIVE 1 MESSAGE COMMUNITY 2 NEWS 4 EDUCATION PARTICIPATION & 5 GOVERNANCE GLOBAL REACH = 6 LOCAL IMPACT 8 HEALTH SECURE LIVELIHOOD AND 9 NATURAL RESOURCES OUR 10 SUPPORTERS OUR 12 FINANCES PUBLIC 13 AWARENESS Cuso International is a non-profit international development Cuso International gratefully acknowledges the financial support organization, working to improve the lives of people living with of our donors, partners, the Government of Canada (through the poverty and inequality across the globe. We work in partnership department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) and the through development programs to create positive lasting Government of the United States (through the Unites States Agency change. Each year we mobilize hundreds of volunteer professionals for International Development). who work with local partners. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in both Canada and the United States. Cuso International is a registered charitable organization. Canada: No. 81111 6813 RR0001 This report is also available in French and Spanish | Ce bulletin est également disponible en englais et espagnol. Este informe We are proudly supported by donors in the United States también está disponible en francés y en Inglés through Friends of Cuso International. IRS tax number: EIN 30-0545486 © Cuso International, 2014. Printed in Canada ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 | 1 EXECUTIVE MESSAGE For more than 53 years, Cuso International has been a - practical and sustainable solutions. Our programs are extensive diaspora volunteer program allows us to mobilize groundedlearning organization in reality and focusedguided by on the finding thoughtful and leadershipdelivering Canada’s and the United States’s diversity due to its unique ness and effectiveness in international development.
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  • The Case of Cuso International Volunteers in Peruvian Centros De Jóvenes Y Empleo
    Volunteerism for capacity building: The case of Cuso International volunteers in Peruvian Centros de jóvenes y empleo Submitted by Rachel Ginsberg Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honours B.A. International Development Studies (Co-op) Specialist Presented to Professor Ken MacDonald and Professor Ryan Isakson University of Toronto at Scarborough April 2014 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Ryan Isakson, as well as Professor Ken MacDonald for guiding me through the thesis process. Also deserving of thanks are my friends and family for keeping my spirits up this year and always. A special mention goes to my fellow IDS Co-op fifth years for being such an amazing source of support throughout the placement and thesis-writing process. I would also like to thank the IDS Co-op Coordinators, Katie, Monica, and Finbar, for all of their help before, during, and after my placement in Peru. A very special thank you goes to all of the staff and volunteers at Asociación Kallpa and Cuso International for their participation in this research project. Also, a great big thank you to all those who assisted with this project in other ways. This project would not have been possible without your support—thank you! ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ............................................................................................................
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  • Cuso International Seeking Highly Skilled Gender Equality Professionals
    Cuso International seeking highly skilled Gender Equality Professionals Cuso International is a non-profit international development organization that works to improve the lives of people living with poverty and inequality around the globe. Each year we mobilize hundreds of volunteer professionals who work with local partners to create positive lasting change. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. Cuso International covers the following costs: – Return airfare and visa/permit costs – Accommodation while in country – A modest living allowance while overseas – Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer (VOCE Project only) – The cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance – Access to Employee Assistance Program during your placement and when you return – Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and in-country training orientation and again for a reintegration debriefing weekend after you return. Volunteers for International Cooperation and Empowerment Program As Cuso International’s primary international program, VOICE will improve the economic and social well-being of poor and marginalized communities in targeted countries. VOICE contributes to Canada’s commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth, access to health services, and gender equality and social inclusion around the globe. The five-year program is made possible by a generous $65 million
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  • The Experience of Cuso International in Latin America (KEDLAP Project) by Kate Roberts (Cuso International)1 & Edgar Pabón (CEBEM)
    Roberts, Kate & Pabón, Edgar. 2012. Use of Virtual Platforms for Knowledge Management and Sharing…A Participant Reflection Paper for the 2012 IDRC Canadian Learning Forum on Virtual Platforms, Knowledge Management and International Development. Use of Virtual Platforms for Knowledge Management and Sharing: the experience of Cuso International in Latin America (KEDLAP Project) by Kate Roberts (Cuso International)1 & Edgar Pabón (CEBEM). KEDLAP Project Co-Coordinators Abstract This paper documents the experience of Cuso International and CEBEM in managing a virtual platform for the KEDLAP (Knowledge for Effective Development Learning and Practice) program in Latin America. It illustrates the importance of embedding the VP’s objectives, functions and supporting tools within a wider Knowledge Management (KM) strategy, and how successful VPs require extensive technical and content support and facilitation. The paper concludes by citing some of the development and learning outcomes that the program achieved. A) Introduction This paper focuses on KEDLAP (Knowledge for Effective Development Learning and Practice), an initiative of Cuso International in Latin America. KEDLAP was intended to pilot a series of knowledge-management and sharing approaches and tools, with a view to testing the Latin America and Caribbean programme’s knowledge-based programming approach and enriching wider organizational learning. In November 2011, CUSO-VSO was re-launched as Cuso International and restructured the organisation’s relationship to the VSO International Federation. At both levels, the organisation is currently undergoing a process of strategic change, which includes reviewing the institutional approach to, and tools for, knowledge management and sharing. The IDRC Learning Forum on information technology for knowledge-sharing is therefore extremely timely, enabling not only learning from the KEDLAP project but also other IDRC- supported initiatives to enrich the overall organisational reflection and strategic change process in relation to knowledge management and sharing.
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  • African Union Union Africaine União Africana
    AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis-Ababa Ethiopia, P. O. Box: 3243 Tel. : (251-11) 5513 822 Fax: (251-11)5 519 321 Email: [email protected] Mission Report on African Diaspora Volunteer Corps Project Technical Workshop, Ottawa, Canada, 11-13 May 2015 A CIDO delegation travelled to Ottawa, Canada, from May 9-14, 2015 to attend a technical workshop in partnership with Cuso International and the World Bank in order to consolidate the project proposal on the AU Diaspora Volunteer Corps (AUDVC) project; for which Cuso International is expected to be the implementing agency. Background: The inaugural Global African Diaspora Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 25 May 2012. The summit saw the adoption of a Declaration in which the Heads of State and Government of the African Union “agree(d) to adopt five legacy projects as a way of giving practical meaning to the Diaspora programme and in order to facilitate the post-Summit implementation programme”. The legacy projects approved by the Summit included, among others, the establishment of the African Union Diaspora Volunteers Corps (AUDVC). Following the Declaration, CIDO convened the Workshop on the Implementation Plan of Legacy Projects and the Operationalization of the Outcomes of the Global African Diaspora Summit, held in Washington D.C., 25-28 March 2013, with the specific objective of advancing the design and preparation for operationalizing the five legacy projects, including the African Union Diaspora Volunteer Corps; the implementing agency of which is Cuso International, based in Ottawa, Canada. The Project Technical Workshop in Ottawa, in partnership with the World Bank and Cuso International, was designed to finalize the operationalization of the AUDVC project.
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  • Volunteering at the Frontline of Change Cusointernational.Org
    CUSO INTERNATIONAL’S MAGAZINE THE ON GLOBAL VOLUNTEERING CATALYSTSPRING 2018 Volunteering at the Frontline of Change cusointernational.org Launch into your next adventure Volunteer again! THE CATALYST | 1 INSIDE LETTER 2 FROM THE CEO NEW 3 APPOINTMENT SOUTH AFRICA 4 REVISITED SI A 8 LA PAZ IN THE MOOD FOR 11 A BETTER WORLD RULE 12 OF LAW 14 ALUMNOTES On the cover: Health clinics were often targets in countries like Mozambique for South Africa backed destabilization in neighbouring countries. The Catalyst is published by Cuso International Cuso International is a registered Cuso International is a non-profit international development charitable organization. organization, working to improve the lives of people living with Canada: No. 81111 6813 RR0001 poverty and inequality around the globe. Each year we mobilize hundreds of volunteer professionals who work with local partners to create positive, lasting change. Established in 1961, Cuso Inter- national is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. We wish to thank the many volunteers, alumni, partners and staff who have contributed to this edition of The Catalyst. Please send your comments, ideas and submissions to: [email protected] Le Catalyseur est également disponible en français | The Catalyst © Cuso International, 2018. Printed in Canada. is also available in French 2 | THE CATALYST LETTER from the CEO page 4 t the end of 2017, I traveled with our new Chair, page 8 Frank O’Dea, to visit our programs in Colombia. I was immediately taken by the warmth of the people and the culture.
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  • Cuso International Whose Representative Could Unfortunately Not Attend Today
    Good morning, I’m Adjmal Dulloo speaking in place of Cuso International whose representative could unfortunately not attend today. I represent Volunteer groups. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Cuso International is an international development organization working to improve the lives of people living in poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and East Africa, and Southeast Asia as well as in Canada and the United States. I am also here today as a representative of Forum (The International Forum for Volunteering in Development which is part of the Post 2015 volunteering working group). Forum is a global network of Volunteer-Involving Organizations who are engaging in development efforts in more than 145 countries. The question that we are looking into this morning relates to the modalities of participation of the HLPF. The Rio+20 Outcome Document underscored the role that volunteers play in development, and recognised the central importance volunteer groups have in sustainable development. The importance of ‘volunteer groups’ is also recognised in A Life of Dignity for All, the Secretary General’s report to the UN, presented in July 2012, which recognized that ‘Volunteerism should be an integral part of the post-2015 development framework, … The mainstreaming of volunteer engagement will ensure that people are placed at the heart of sustainable peace and development efforts.’ As also stated in the modalities Resolution 67/290, establishing the HLPF, we welcome the representation of major groups and “other relevant stakeholders” – such as volunteer groups to participate in High Level Political Forum meetings.
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  • Skills to Share Futures to Build Annual Report 2018–2019 Cuso International 2018–2019 Annual Report ISSN 2561-7354
    Skills to Share Futures to Build Annual Report 2018–2019 Cuso International 2018–2019 Annual Report ISSN 2561-7354 Cuso International is a not-for-profit development organization that works to eradicate poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. Registered charitable numbers: Canada: 81111 6813 RR0001 United States: EIN 30-0545486 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. We would also like to recognize support from the following institutional donors: the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, European Union and LafargeHolcim. This report is also available in French and Spanish. Ce bulletin est également disponible en français. Este informe también está disponible en español. Cuso International 44 Eccles Street #200 Ottawa ON K1R 6S4 Canada T: 888-434-2876 cusointernational.org © Cuso International, 2019. Printed in Canada. On the cover: Sabae, 32, is one of numerous women /CusoInternational @CusoIntl who turn trash into treasure at Chu Chu in Myanmar. Cuso International @cusointernational Photo: Brian Atkinson Table of Contents Vision, mission and values 2 Message from the Chair and CEO 3 Cuso International around the world 4 By the numbers 7 Harnessing the power of volunteerism 9 Investing in women and girls 11 Promoting sustainable opportunities 13 Midwives Save Lives 15 YouLead: Inspiring local solutions 17 SCOPE: Innovative and inclusive 19 T-LED builds futures 21 Canadian Program grows 23 Partnering for innovation 24 Finances 26 Board of Directors 27 Power partner: Randstad Canada 28 Why we give 29 Annual Report 2018–2019 | 1 Our Vision Our vision includes a world where all people are able to realize their potential, develop their skills and participate fully in society.
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  • Diaspora Volunteers and International Development
    Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD) Diaspora Volunteers and International Development An Autoethnographic Research Project Solomon Belay Faris (PhD) November 2013 Ottawa, Canada Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) DIASPORA AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD), Ottawa, Canada ©2013 Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD), Ottawa, Canada ISBN 978-0-9783113-2-2 Parts of this report may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system as long as the source is properly referenced. Suggested citation: Faris, Solomon B. 2013. Diaspora volunteers and international development: an autoethnographic research report. Ottawa, Canada: Association for Higher Education and Development. Any question regarding this report can be sent to: Temesghen Hailu <[email protected]> or Solomon B. Faris <[email protected]> www.aheadonline.org 1 DIASPORA AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to the President and Executive Director of the Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD), Temesghen Hailu, who, with diligence and tact, played a fundamental role from initiation to completion of this research. He is a fine symbol of diaspora volunteerism in its fullest sense. Additionally, my appreciation goes to the Board members of AHEAD, particularly to Mrs. Azieb Teferi, who always responded promptly and positively to the many demands of the research. If there is a person who has made a difference in seemingly routine work, it is Ms. Bathseba Belai, whose continued mentoring and support made the research journey much easier.
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