The popularity of microfinance programs has increased dramatically in recent years, with international funders investing hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet, many question the extent to which microfinance programs help alleviate poverty? One of Friday’s workshops at the Pacific Northwest Global Donors Conference will take a critical look at microfinance programs as a tool for addressing poverty. What do we know about the effectiveness of these programs from a poverty alleviation perspective, and how can funders find projects that are effective in reaching this goal?

The April 1-2 gathering is the second annual Global Donors Conference, designed to bring together Northwest grantmakers and philanthropists active and/or curious about global philanthropy. The conference program includes two days of informative and engaging sessions on how climate change affects donor strategies, what’s new in technology for development, corporate-NGO collaboration, food solutions for people and the planet, approaches to igniting the power of young people, pathways for strategic giving, getting real on evaluation, and much more. 

Greg Carr—Idaho native, high-tech pioneer of voicemail, co-founder of Harvard’s Carr Center for Human Rights, and global philanthropist whose $40 million commitment to Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique has been profiled in The New Yorker, Smithsonian, and Outside—will deliver the keynote address on Friday.  And Margaret Larson—host of New Day Northwest on KING-5, former NBC foreign correspondent, and communications consultant for international nonprofit organizations including World Vision, Mercy Corps, PATH and Global Partnerships—will close the conference on Saturday.

If you haven’t already, check out the agenda at www.globaldonorsconference.org and register today. The conference will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about international issues and effective grantmaking practices as well as network with others engaged in global giving.

-submitted by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation

By Robert Mitchell, Landesa

After more than a decade meeting with government officials and families in rural areas of the developing world, I have yet to encounter anyone who would discount the importance of land, or who would challenge the fact that landlessness is a severely disempowering condition for the rural poor.

It’s easy enough to grasp the concept that land is important, and that it’s especially important to rural families in the developing world. After all, most poor rural families that lack land of their own earn their living by working as day laborers on other people’s land, and land is a primary source of power for their employers. Landlessness and land insecurity, the lot of hundreds of millions of rural people worldwide, is a defining personal and social characteristic, greatly limiting their current options and future prospects.

So much seems clear. What is much less expected—but encountered all too often—is the attitude that landlessness is an immutable “given,” a static social arrangement that cannot be changed. The sky is blue, the town is a ten-hour walk from the village, and a third of the village is and will forever remain landless. Their children and their children’s children will know only landlessness and agricultural wage labor.

This is the assumption of most people I’ve met in the developing world, including government officials, rural development professionals, landowners and even (or especially) landless families themselves. Such attitudes prevail even among progressive thinkers who would like to see landlessness eradicated. But what good is there in hoping for change that shows no sign of coming? Isn’t it better to work on change that can happen, even if such change doesn’t address the root problem of landlessness?

I’ve learned the key to countering this assumption is to imagine—and then test and demonstrate—practical, politically and financially feasible programs through which governments can help landless families gain access and secure rights to land, even modest plots of land. Once a program begins to succeed—and families walk for the first time on land that is theirs, and begin planning what they will produce on the land—there is very often a change not only among these families, but among government land officials. It is truly moving to see seasoned officials marvel at the fact that landlessness can actually be tackled and eradicated.

As crucial as this change in thinking is, shifting the cultural and policy mindset is only the beginning. For a program to reach large numbers of families, it must be well designed, scalable and well monitored, and must receive sufficient staff and other resources. The process cannot be scaled so quickly as to sacrifice quality and attention to detail. Special attention must be paid to ensuring that the process empowers women within the family. Attention must also be given to providing channels through which families can receive information, for example, on which local vegetables and fruits are most easily grown and most nutritious, as well as access to inexpensive improvements, such as drip irrigation, that can greatly enhance the land’s productivity during dry seasons.

As we forge ahead, our shared opportunity is to continually challenge stubborn assumptions that land ownership is limited to only the privileged few. At Landesa, we believe land rights are an asset that can be expanded for all, and that this expansion will unlock potential for generations to come.

Water, though paramount to the survival of all living organisms on Earth, is often taken for granted in the developed world. Being so readily available and safe to drink through the tap or out of the bottle, many westerners overlook the absolute necessity of clean, accessible water. Water is responsible for the growth our crops and the health of our livestock. Water can power our cities and potentially fuel our cars. With too many people relying on the same source, water can cause tension and conflict. Without water all together, this planet simply cannot survive.

In essence, water is life.

But nowhere is this notion more apparent than in the developing world, where access to water is legitimately a matter of life and death. Today, 894 million people live without access to reliable and clean water sources. This number, when compounded by the 2.5 billion people who live without basic sanitation, results in 1.5 million deaths per year. 2,000 to 5,000 liters of water is required to produce only one person’s food per day, a requirement that certainly contributes to the figure of 1 billion people currently suffering from chronic hunger. Without this resource to hydrate our bodies, keep our hands and homes clean, or produce our food, survival is impossible.

This is why we celebrate World Water Day every March 22. Since 1992 the world has observed the absolute necessity of the most essential resource on Earth; water. From “Walks for Water” fundraisers to online discussions raising awareness about water issues, this day is made for events that celebrate water around the world. This year’s theme is “Water for Cities, Responding to the Urban Challenge.” As such, the city of Seattle is fully committed to this year’s World Water Day with an all day forum and exposition located in Seattle City Hall. And in case you missed Global Washington’s email, Seattle’s Chief Sealth International High School is devoting this entire week to a festival consisting of events focused on water.

Although water is often over looked, it is still a prerequisite for happiness and prosperity, and deserves to be celebrated as such. I was lucky enough to experience the comfort and joy attained through the access of clean water in my time in Damaraland, Namibia. While volunteering on an elephant conservation project aimed at reducing conflict between those loveable giants and the people with whom they share the desert, my fellow volunteers and I constructed an elephant-proof wall around a man-made well.

Water being a scarce commodity in the deserts of Namibia, elephants are known to demolish plumbing and cave in wells in their attempt to consume what water they can. Such destruction can very easily lead to lethal human retaliation for the disruption of vital access to water. I watched as the inhabitants of the nearby farms and villages, bringing their herds of goats and sheep for a much needed water break as they grazed the hot and arid landscape. With appreciation etched on their faces as they realized this well was now a reliable source of water for themselves and their herds, I came to realize just how important this water was for the survival of these herders and for the survival of all natural beings.

Happy World Water Day everyone!

Welcome to the March 2011 issue of the Global Washington newsletter. If you would like to contact us directly, please email us.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Note from our Executive Director
• Featured Story: Ways to be involved with Global Washington
• Featured Organization: Gardner Center For Asian Art And Ideas – A Holistic View Of Asia
• Changemaker: Dan O’Neill, Founder of Mercy Corps
• Welcome New Members
• Announcements
• Global Washington Events
• Other Events

Note from our Executive Director

Greetings,

Happy spring.  My family and I celebrated Iranian New Year, Norooz, this Sunday with the arrival of spring. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful time of the year as well.

Global Washington is continuing to move forward with our framework for convening, strengthen, and advocating on behalf of the development sector in Washington.  We are in the process of hiring a Membership and Program Coordinator who will support the deepening of our work byconvening members around their issue areas and expertise.  We see this as an important opportunity to bring our members together on a regular basis, serving our core purpose of being a catalyst for greater partnership and innovation in the Washington State international development community.  In this newsletter you will find a list of groups you can join to engage in this dialogue. Please feel free to contact me if you are interestedin contributing to this effort and helping us create opportunities this year that will provide you with the greatest benefit.

Last month, after announcing our plans with the education sector, I received 50 emails from people who wanted to help by working on these committees.  We are thrilled with this response and look forward to providing all of you with opportunities to connect with one another in the coming months.

In unity,

Bookda Gheisar, Executive Director

Ways to be involved with Global Washington

Here are four ways that you can get more involved with Global Washington:

1. 1. Global Washington is starting Affinity Groups in the following areas to support our members’ work:
      • Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation Affinity Group
      • Environmental Sustainability Affinity Group: Climate, Water, Environment and Agriculture
      • Global Health Affinity Group
      • Education and Global Engagement Affinity Group

Each Affinity Group will be chaired by two Global Washington member organizations and staffed by Global Washington (staff, volunteers, or interns).  If you are a member organization and interested in chairing or joining an Affinity Group please let us know by contacting Bookda@globalwa.org

1. 1. The Education and Global Engagement Affinity Group will be dividing into three Working Groups in 2011:
      • World Languages: Identify language priorities, teaching and learning pedagogies, and curriculum and program design.
      • Building a Global Classroom in the U.S. and Abroad: Identify pedagogy and desired learning outcomes, technology and infrastructure for supporting student interactions, and program design to facilitate global student interactions.
      • Pedagogy and Competency Building: Identify effective pedagogies for teaching students and training teachers, promoting specific goals, evaluation metrics, and a vision for global education in Washington schools.

To get involved with one of these working groups please contact Bookda@globalwa.org

1. Other working groups: Global Washington also recognizes the importance of our members working together around common themes, challenges, and trends in their fields.  We are in the process of bringing together a few other working groups, which will also be chaired by member organizations and staffed by the staff, volunteers, and interns of Global Washington.  If you are a member organization and interested in chairing or joining any of these working groups please let us know by contacting Bookda@globalwa.org
   • Working Group for small NGO’s
   • Working group on disaster preparedness
   • Working group on fundraising and fund development
2. Conference Planning  Committee 2011: Please join us in the planning process! This year’s conference will be on Oct 31^st and Nov 1^st.  A planning committee will meet on a monthly basis from April until November.  To  join the committee contact Bookda@globalwa.org

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Featured Organization: Gardner Center For Asian Art And Ideas – A Holistic View Of Asia

When entering the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) in the historic art-moderne building in Volunteer Park, you will step into the tranquility of the Garden Court, embraced by a thoughtfully displayed collection of ancient Indian sculptures.  To your left, you will find a room that houses an assortment of Chinese art treasures, from bronze vessels crafted in the Shang Dynasty from almost 4000 years ago to porcelain pillows from the last several centuries.  The wing to the right of the Garden Court is where you will experience ancient and contemporary Japanese aesthetic, including a Kakiemon bowl from the Edo period in the late 17^th century along with sculptures and paintings by today’s Japanese American artists.  SAAM brings world-renowned collections of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Southeast Asian and Himalayan art to Washington, allowing Washingtonians to taste the Asian culture without traveling across the Pacific Ocean.  For people who are curious about Asia, SAAM is definitely the place that would fascinate them.

Besides the enjoyment of Asian art, many people were calling for additional ways to stretch their curiosity of Asian culture to another level.  Mimi Gardner Gates, an Asian art historian, answered their call!  As many people here are already familiar with the Asian culture in one way or another, Gates thought one more way to advance their and the region’s engagement with Asia is to provide them with a “holistic view.”  Gates achieved this goal by founding the Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas, offering “dynamic public programs that provide multi-faceted perspectives on Asia, past and present.”

During her time at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) as Director, Gates focused her efforts on growing SAM, including the giant projects of creating the Sculpture Park as well as renovating and expanding the current SAM’s downtown location.  At her retirement, Gates thought this is the perfect chance for her to rewire her deep ties with Asian art and culture, after missing them for so long.  Before SAM, Gates was the curator of Asian art and then director of the Yale University Art Gallery.  Her solid academic background, from bachelor to Ph.D., was built around her passion in art history and Asian language and culture.  In July, 2009, Gates founded the Gardner Center and asked Sarah Loudon to work with her in creating these programs.

The inaugural program of the Gardner Center– the Saturday University Lecture Series – remains their flagship program, with two to three series offered between October and May.  The eight- to ten-week-long series pull together academic and field experts to “explore all facets of Asia, both past and present from art and culture, literature, music and film to agriculture, health, population control and politics.”  For their very first series, “Asia in Focus”, they invited professors from different departments of the University of Washington to provides an overview of each country’s rich history, intriguing contemporary politics and society, and distinctive art and culture.  Sarah acknowledged that partnering with the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington was what made Saturday University Lecture Series possible in the first place.

Being in Washington State, the home to many world-leading global organizations and international businesses, how could it be possible not for the Gardner Center to leverage this rich resources?  Since its first successful partnership with the University of Washington, the Gardner Center also quickly took on the role as a “convening place” of many other Asian-affiliated organizations in the region.  Its strategic partnerships with them have not only enriched Gardner Center’s programs, but have also provided a platform for these organizations to showcase their phenomenal work in Asia to the public.  For example, the current series, “World Little Known:  Central Asia, Its Histories and Place in Today’s World,” draws specialists from Landesa, the Snow Leopard Trust, the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, and other organizations to provide the public with interdisciplinary perspectives on Central Asia.

The Gardner Center has been very mindful of incorporating interesting, special programs as avenues to broaden audience’s knowledge and deepen their understanding of Asian culture.  For instance, before participating in the lecture discussion on Saturday morning, you may choose to start off your day with a yoga class in the Garden Court at SAAM.  After the intriguing lecture, you may also bring home related materials, hand-picked by the Elliott Bay Books, to continue with your exploration of Asian culture from the lectures.  That way, your experience with Asian culture will be stretched, through both mind and body.

Being an independent and flexible program initiative, the Gardner Center has the advantage to be very experimental with a wide variety of programs in addition to the Saturday University Lecture Series.  That includes unique musical recitals, such as the recent performance by Gamelan Pacifica, which drew an overflowing audience.  On March 6, this Seattle’s orchestra from Indonesia performed dramatic gong-chime percussion resonancing the Indian sculpture at SAAM’s Garden Court.

Special visual performances, film showings and book reviews are also built into Gardner Center’s upcoming schedule.  On March 25-27, the Gardner Center will house the Aaina Festival presented by Tasveer.  Highlighting issues relevant to South Asian women, the festival will feature film, visual and performance art, such as Yoni Ki Baat, an adaptation of The Vagina Monologues, sharing unique, true stories from local South Asian women.

A documentary film, “Desert of Forbidden Art,” will be shown on April 7.  Described by the New York Times as “one of the most remarkable collections of 20^th century Russian art,” the film tells the incredible story of how Igor Savitsky risked his life to rescue over 40,000 works of art by his fellow Russian artists, many of them had been executed, during the oppressed era of Stalin.  This film also follows how he created a museum in Uzbekistan allowing all of these almost extinguished artworks to be uncovered to the world again.

Also, on April 14, the Gardner Center will present a book review from the former executive editor of the New York Times, Joseph Lelyveld on his new book, “Great Soul:  Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggle with India.”  This coming summer, fans of Asia can also expect a very exciting outdoor film series in Volunteer Park, introduced by one of the best-known Bollywood actresses!

The next time when your curiosity of Asian culture calls, be sure to check out the Gardner Center’s schedule before you step into SAAM.  You are sure to have a holistic Asian experience.

For more information on the Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas and its program schedule, please visit:http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/GardnerCenter/default.asp

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Changemaker: Dan O’Neill, Founder of Mercy Corps

Dan O’Neill

“For over three decades we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive — and then thrive,” says, Dan O’Neill, the founder of one of America’s most effective and efficient charitable organizations, Mercy Corps.  Mercy Corps provides support to communities living in the world’s toughest places and has been successful in bringing about positive change in the lives of 19 million people.

Dan O’ Neill’s commitment to serving the world’s vulnerable and oppressed through Mercy Corps dates back to the tumultuous period of the Vietnam War. In the early 1970s, as a UW student working as a political cartoonist and graphic artist, Dan went through what he called “spiritual renewal.” He realized that he wanted to be more globally engaged, give something back to the society, and make a difference in the world.

He went overseas and worked as a volunteer in South and East Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Appalled by the poverty, hunger, misery, distress, and persecution, in these war-ravaged regions, Dan became more determined to do humanitarian work. The Cambodia crisis, marked by mass killing and a huge refugee migration following the Vietnam War, gave Dan the opportunity to be more involved. In 1979, he co-founded Save the Refugees Fund, an emergency relief task force to assist Cambodian refugees. That year was also significant as it was the same year that Mother Teresa–one of Dan’s heroes–received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Photo Credit: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps

Dan had been aware of Mother Teresa’s work in Calcutta and was greatly influenced by her dedicated service. The thought of a small, elderly Eastern European woman—“just one person,” emphasized Dan—being so committed in reaching out to “the poorest of the poor” and addressing the issues of radical poverty was deeply inspiring to him. He realized that she was living out what he called back then “the moral imperative” to make a positive difference in the lives of the disadvantaged people and also see them as partners in their own improvement.  Save The Refugees Fund led Dan to found Mercy Corps in 1981, which works to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

Mercy Corps first earned a name for itself during to the famines, refugee crises and conflicts in Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Zaire, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The organization’s first major achievement was the grant they received from USAID in 1985-86. Mercy Corps transported food in 100 diesel trucks from Sudan into the areas of famine and poverty, oftentimes in combat situations, losing some of their vehicles to Ethiopian MIGs. They were also selected to be the recipient of funds under the “Project SOS” program, (Seattle’s Outreach to Sudan led by the mayor, public officials and NGOs). Despite being a small organization at the time, Mercy Corps made a significant impact from the beginning.

Photo Credit: Mercy Corps

According to Dan, every situation and region warrants different relief and development strategies. The Global Emergency Operations (GEO) Team of Mercy Corps, created in the year 2000, makes needs assessments and lays foundations for emergency operations. The assessment includes communicating with the local players to plan operations, how to best engage, and what partners to work with. They also decide on the method of funding and if they should immediately start working on applications for the grants.  Mercy Corps provides immediate emergency relief while identifying early recovery opportunities to help survivors build a better future. Since 2000, members of the GEO team have deployed in more than 30 international emergencies and have provided technical support and coordinated emergency responses in many more.

Mercy Corps has always been a strong advocate of human rights. Dan was ideologically influenced by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., who both took peaceful but assertive stances on human rights. In 1972, Dan personally witnessed the abuses of Apartheid in South Africa and white rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). From the time of Mercy Corps inception, the agency has made the connection between poverty and human rights – speaking out for human rights during the war in Nicaragua, the killings in Guatemala and El Salvador in the 1980s and also in South Africa and Middle East.

For more than thirty years, Mercy Corps programs have addressed humanitarian needs, created economic opportunities, offered leadership programs to youth and promoted good governance. When asked about the safety and security concerns in carrying out relief and development operations, Dan said “political unrest strategically makes the execution of programs difficult but it also offers the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives.” In their attempt to bring positive change through non-violent means, Mercy Corps staff often find themselves on the front lines of violent conflict. Some of them have lost their lives, the most recent being the abduction and execution of one of their longtime Pakistani staff in June 2010. “We reflect on their bravery and sacrifice,” says Dan, “and in their honor and memory continue to work towards positively affecting lives.”

Photo Credit: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps

Another one of the important missions of Mercy Corps, according to Dan, is to involve youth in finding out meaningful ways to build peace. Their international GCC (Global Citizen Corps) program gives young people the tools, the fellowship, and the inspiration to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian causes. So far GCC’S face-to-face leadership summits occur only in the US, but there are Global Citizen Corps groups and training workshops in several countries, including Scotland, Lebanon, Jordan, the Gaza Strip and Iraq. Through video conferencing, Mercy Corps’s plan is to engage more and more teenagers in a meaningful dialogue and help globally conscious and energetic young people share ideas in such virtual gatherings for positive change in the world. According to Dan, with the globalization of communication, the consequences of the decisions that countries are making have a wide impact. It is important for individuals to become engaged global citizens, to educate themselves, and to take action towards ensuring peaceful change across the world.

The state of Washington holds tremendous potential to improve global humanitarian work. Dan emphasizes the value of partnerships and hopes that Global Washington as a membership association can serve as a powerful forum for exchange of ideas, collaborative processes, and inspiration. In his words, “Global Washington should define ways to engage people in the state to have a global vision and inspire Washingtonians to make a positive difference.”

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Welcome New Members

Global Washington would like to welcome everyone who has become a member since January!  Please take some time to familiarize yourself with these organizations that are doing wonderful work in the state of Washington. Consider what opportunities there might be for collaboration and support. Together we are creating a unified voice for the development sector in the state and are working to build a equitable and prosperous world.

Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA)

The Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School explores the design, use, and effects of information and communication technologies in communities facing social and economic challenges. With experience in 50 countries, TASCHA brings together a multidisciplinary network of social scientists, engineers, and development practitioners to conduct research, advance knowledge, create public resources, and improve policy and program design.

Bainbridge Ometepe Sister Island Association (BOSIA)

The purpose of the Bainbridge-Ometepe Sister Islands Association is to encourage mutual understanding, education, friendship, cultural and peaceful exchanges between the people of Bainbridge Island and Ometepe Island, and between the peoples of the United States and Nicaragua

Global Team for Local Initiatives

GTLI is dedicated to helping indigenous people lead healthy lives. Working closely with tribal elders, we help implement sustainable development projects for long-term survival and income generating activities for immediate relief.

Global Women’s Philanthropy Project

Quixote Associates

Quixote Associates is a management consulting company founded to help non-profit, socially-responsible organizations and small, diverse businesses create sustainable strategies and improve operations.  Quixote Associates helps build capability and capacity by assessing and facilitating strategic planning, operations management, project management, measurement & evaluation, communications, process improvement, training.

One Equal Heart Foundation

One Equal Heart Foundation accompanies the poor in Chiapas, Mexico as they work to promote nonviolence, build sustainable communities, steward natural resources, and preserve the cultural identity of the Tseltal Maya People.

Individuals:

Anne Sheeran
Paula Rowland
Mark West

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Announcements

Washington Organizations Respond to Japan Earthquake

The state of Washington is home to an active global development community, consisting of many organizations, businesses, and individuals that have been moved to respond in some way to the recent disaster in Japan. Global Washington is compiling information about Washington State’s relief efforts, including details about the work that some of our members are doing. Please visit our website for up-to-date information and resources.

We are also co-hosting an event with Seattle Greendrinks on April 12^th, which will gather the Seattle community to learn about the disaster. Proceeds will be donated to Mercy Corps. Click here to learn more or register.

Global Washington Events

Don’t forget to register for our upcoming workshops:

• Developing a Communication Plan for Your Organization, Wednesday, April 13
  In this three hour training session, Claudia Ender will guide you through the different components of communication planning, and will give you an opportunity to start your own plan with hands-on exercises. At the end of the training, you will have developed a first draft for your organization, and you will be confident about finalizing it with your respective stakeholders.
• Evaluation Workshop with Innovations for Poverty Action, May 16^th & 17^th
  This two-day workshop will present how rigorous evaluations can show whether an intervention actually has a positive impact on the beneficiaries it is supposed to serve. We will make the case for evidence-based decision making, introduce the ideas of evaluation and impact assessment, and outline some poverty interventions that have been proven to work through rigorous experimentation in the real world.

Technology solutions for nonprofits

Software Guide from Idealware. Idealware’s 2011 Field Guide to Software for Nonprofits is now available at Lulu.com for $19.95. The Field Guide provides an overview of over 50 different types of software to help you determine how you can best use technology to meet the specific needs of your organization. This is a great tool to increase your efficiency and stay on the cutting edge of the latest trends!

Looking for a database or e-marketing tool? Global Washington uses an affordable online database tool called eTapestry to keep track of our contacts and to generate our emails (like this one). If you are interested in learning more, consider allowing us to refer you—you’ll get good information about whether eTapestry could meet your needs, and we will get a discount if you end up purchasing services! Email admin@globalwa.org.

Guiding Lights Weekend

The theme of Guiding Lights Weekend 2011 is “Great Citizenship,” and the two-day event will focus not just on lobbying, but also on community organizing and engagement. This conference will take place on March 25 and 26^th at the Fisher Pavilion in the Seattle Center. Speakers will include Van Jones, a green economy pioneer, environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben, Dan Savage, an author and founder of the It Gets Better Project. To learn more, see the full schedule, or register please visit the conference webpage.

Conference Explores Business Contribution to Ending Global Poverty

On April 1^st and 2^nd, Seattle Pacific University is hosting “Bottom Billions/Bottom Line,” a conference focused on the role of business in ending global poverty. The conference will be relevant to business leaders and employees, consumers, social entrepreneurs, and anyone else interested good global citizenship and corporate social responsibility. Speakers will include Gregg Nebel, head of social and environmental affairs at the adidas Group; Bonnie Nixon, director environmental sustainability and Hewlett-Packard; and Rob Smith, CEO of Earthwise Ventures. For a complete list of speakers, more information about the conference, and registration, visit the conference website.

iLEAP Dinner at FareStart

iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service is hosting “i4 2011:iNSPIRING iDEAS, iGNITING iNNOVATION” on April 13^th, 2011 from 6pm-8pm at FareStart Restaurant in Seattle. This informational dinner will feature, Mabilia Joj, a graduate of iLEAP’s 2010 fellowship. Mabilia will talk about her iLEAP experience and how it is informing her work in Guatemala with women and indigenous communities. iLEAP is a nonprofit organization that seeks “to cultivate and inspire a new generation of global citizens.”  They accomplish this through “hands-on, educational and professional training programs in Seattle and innovative international travel programs in partnership with communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America.”

To learn more about this event, visit www.iLEAP.org/i4-2011 or buy tickets online from Brown Paper Tickets.

To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America film & campaign

On March 31, the Sundance documentary To Catch a Dollar premieres in theaters nationwide. This one night only event will spotlight the promise of microfinance in America through stories of brave women entrepreneurs. Following the film will be a special simulcast panel moderated by CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo and featuring Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus, Kiva President Premal Shah and special guest, financial powerhouse Suze Orman. This event will kick off a long-term campaign to reframe perceptions of poverty and to extend the reach of financial services in America.

For more information and to spread the word, visit:

• tocatchadollar.com;
• twitter.com/tocatchadollar;
• facebook.com/tocatchadollar.

SeaMo and Fortunato Vega are also hosting a VIP Reception in conjunction with the movie premier. All VIP Reception attendees will enjoy appetizers and networking opportunities in advance of the film premiere, as well as VIP reserved seating at the theatre. The reception will take place at the Bombay Grill in Seattle and the movie is on the same block at the Landmark Metro Theater. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at http://tcadvip.eventbrite.com/.

Seattle Public Schools Celebrate World Water Day

Students at Chief Sealth International High School have organized a week-long festival to draw awareness to both local and global water issues. They are inviting the public to attend a free public lecture by Robert Glennon on Monday, March 21 at 7:00 pm in the Chief Sealth International Auditorium. Glennon is a professor of law and public policy at the University of Arizona and is the author of the bestselling book, Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What to do about it.

Before the keynote lecture, there will be a water resource fair with tables from local government and non-profit organizations. There will also be live jazz music and refreshments. For more information, download the flyer: http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/chiefsealth/h2o.html. For questions about this event, please contact Noah Zeichner: nczeichner@seattleschools.org

Teacher Partnership Dinner with Global Visionaries

Global Visionaries (GV) is inviting new and previous trip leaders and other teachers interested in Global Education to attend a dinner with GV staff on April 7^th. This will be a great opportunity to network and to learn more about the mission of Global Visionaries: “To empower young people to become global leaders in creating a just and sustainable future.” The dinner will take place at Yanni’s Greek Restaurant in Seattle at 5:00pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Reagan Jackson by Monday, March 28 at reaganjackson@global-visionaries.org.

Seattle International Foundation Announces Call for Applications under its 2011 Global Program

The Seattle International Foundation (SIF) is now accepting applications under its Global Program. The Global Program (small grants for local organizations) supports and fosters local organizations working internationally. SIF is interested in development projects in all regions of the world.

The Global Program is open to 501(c)3 organizations, or those with fiscal sponsorship, with an annual organizational or project budget of less than $2 million (USD). Preference will be given to organizations based in the greater Puget Sound region; organizations based outside of Washington State are not eligible. The program seeks to support organizations launching new projects, or working to establish or expand an international project or program.

For more information on how to apply:  please visit www.seaif.org, or contact Michele Frix (Program Officer) at mfrix@seaif.org.

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Global Washington Events:

Wednesday, April 13

GW EVENT: Developing a Communication Plan for Your Organization

Monday, May 16th

GW EVENT: Evaluation Workshop with Innovations for Poverty Action

Monday, May 16^th

GW EVENT: More Than Good Intentions Book Discussion

Tuesday, May 17th

GW EVENT: Evaluation Workshop with Innovations for Poverty Action

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Other Events:

Tuesday, March 22

Habitat for Humanity – Building Houses, Building Hope Breakfast

World Water Day Forum and Exposition

Global Partnerships Open House

Wednesday, March 23

Global Classroom: Protest and Participation in the Middle East Exploring News Media Stereotypes and Bias

Faces of Hope with Friends of the Orphans

The American-Israeli Relationship: Where is the Obama Administration Taking It?

Thursday, March 24

It Happened on the Way to War

Friday, March 25

Aina Film Festival

The 11th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference

Guiding Lights Weekend 2011: Great Citizenship

Saturday, March 26

Aina Film Festival

The 11th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference

Guiding Lights Weekend 2011: Great Citizenship

Saturday University Lecture Series: Colorful Ikat Textile Design and Central Asian Aesthetics

HARAMBEE Community Event

Sunday, March 27

Aina Film Festival

The 11th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference

Faces of Hope with Friends of the Orphans

Monday, March 28

Networking Reception and Discussion: Chernobyl 25 Years Later: Lessons Learned?

Tuesday, March 29

Faces of Hope with Friends of the Orphans

Thursday, March 31

“How Could This Indian Be a Diplomat?” Gender, Power, and Transregional Interactions in Argentina

World Affairs Council Spokane: International Justice at the Crossroads

Friday, April 1

Bottom Billions/Bottom Line Conference

Pacific Northwest Global Donors Conference

Faces of Hope with Friends of the Orphans

Music: Kafana Club

Saturday, April 2

Bottom Billions/Bottom Line Conference

Pacific Northwest Global Donors Conference

Saturday University Lecture Series: Women’s Work in Central Asia: Past and Present

Monday, April 4

Libya: Social Origins of Dictatorship & Democratic Uprising

Tuesday, April 5

Classroom On The World: Teaching About The Middle East

Wednesday, April 6

Global Public Health Challenges

Thursday, April 7

Global Visionaries (GV) Teacher Partnership Dinner

Saturday, April 9

Saturday University Lecture Series: Struggles of Central Asia Since Independence

Tuesday, April 12

April Greendrinks: Seattle For Japan Benefit!

Wednesday, April 13

Challenges of Food Security in a Global World

Thursday, April 14

World Affairs Council Spokane: From Narvik to Spokane, with a Stop in Vegas, Aboard the Financial Crisis Express

Saturday, April 16

Global Health & Innovation Conference

Saturday University Lecture Series: Creating Community Solutions to Rural Issues in Central Asia

Sunday, April 17

Global Health & Innovation Conference

Tuesday, April 19^th

Investment Opportunities between China and Washington State

Trade Development Alliance: Lunch with Delegation from China

Wednesday, April 20

Reflections on Global Environmental Issues

Wednesday, April 27

Future Role for the U.S. in Meeting Global Challenges

Thursday, April 28

Exploring Humanitarian Law Workshop for Educators

Back to Top

When I try to get people interested in the education cause in Rwanda, they often tell me that they’re up to their eyeballs in work on public or charter schools in their own neighborhoods – Upper West Side, Noe Valley, wherever. Some people, though, have a broad definition of “neighborhood.”

A couple of years back, two women from Seattle approached me about the possibility of establishing a girls’ school here in Rwanda. I’ve grown accustomed to receiving countless entrepreneurial inquiries from well-meaning people and seeing little come of them, so I must admit that my first reaction was skepticism.

Girls In The Spotlight: A Lesson From Rwanda
Josh Ruxin | On the Ground | Nicholas D. Kristof | The New York Times | March 21

With global food prices at an all time high, and rising, the 1 billion people around the world currently living with chronic hunger stand to get company in the coming months. That is, unless the developed world is able to help to effectively sort out and deal with the root causes of global hunger. Luckily the international community has already been working on a solution.

After the financial crisis and soaring food prices caused riots in 30 countries, the G8 decided to make addressing food insecurity a priority through investments in agricultural development. In the United States, this decision lead to the development of an agriculturally oriented initiative called Feed the Future. While shifting focus away from food aid, the United States endeavored to create a locally owned, multilaterally supported initiative committed to addressing hunger through increased agricultural output and increased trade and economic development.

In order to accomplish this goal, Feed the Future sets out on a path of collective action, leveraging the cooperation of donors, civil-society, the private sector, and the local governments. Such a cooperative model will be integral in promoting the local ownership of agricultural development projects funded through Feed the Future. Input from all stakeholders will be sure to maximize the impact of these projects through the delineation of key priorities, sustainable implementation of the projects, and the use of new and innovative technologies.

In line with Feed the Future’s key principles of local ownership and multilateral cooperation, a central component of the initiative is a multilateral fund named the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GASFP). GASFP distributes its funding (about $925 million to date) to both the public and private sectors to assist in the development of agricultural development strategies.

Working towards local ownership on a bilateral level, the United States is currently working with its targeted countries to develop an implementation plan. The U.S. is reaching out to local governments, key civil society organizations, businesses, and multilateral organizations to develop the most effective and sustainable multi-year development plan. To bolster these national agricultural plans, the U.S. is working with key regional actors to develop regional plans as a means to open markets, instigate economic growth, and address sources of hunger.

With time and a sustained investment in the locally focused and multilaterally supported Feed the Future Initiative, the Millennium Development Goals of reducing hunger and poverty are infinitely closer to being achieved.

President Barack Obama declared March 1st, 2011 to be the official 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad in order to promote friendship, peace, and understanding through service. According to the Peace Corps website, since the institution’s inception, over 200,000 volunteers have served in 139 different countries. Peace Corps volunteers work in a variety of fields including HIV/AIDS, business development , education, and environmental issues.

We salute Peace Corps volunteers for not only serving, but also living alongside of those being served. This makes these volunteers more than workers or teachers—they are also global learners, experiencing diverse cultures and building friendship and understanding.

Global Washington members are organizations and businesses based in the United States that work abroad and on behalf of our members, we would like to express our appreciation for these friendships built and the understanding that is established through Peace Corps service. There are also many returned Peace Corps volunteers working at Global Washington member organizations. They exhibit a lifelong passion for global development and intercultural issues, which they bring enthusiastically to the work they are currently doing.

If your organization has a job opening, you it position in the Peace Corps’s monthly job bulletin Hotline by going to www.peacecorps.gov/hotline or post on their listserv by contacting RPCVcareercenter@peacecorps.gov. The Peace Corps is also hosting a career fair in Seattle on April 15th. If your organization is interested in participating, contact Joseph Cozza at jcozza@peacecorps.gov to be put on a waiting list.

If you are a current or returned Peace Corps volunteer, Global Washington would love to hear your story! Where did you serve? What did it shape your life and your career? What are you doing now?

Presidential Proclamation

Peace Corps Official Website

Photo Essay: Peace Corps Memories, from Voice of America

Our thoughts are with the people of Japan in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake—a 9.0 on the Richter scale—is considered the world’s 5^th largest in over a century and triggered a massive tsunami that hit the Japanese coast.

We would like to remind you that compassion can be turned into action. We are not powerless bystanders; we belong to a global development community, rich in resources that can be used to aid the victims in this disaster. These resources range from personal finances, to networking connections, to organizational expertise. We encourage you consider how you might fit into the response already being undertaken by Washington-based organizations to assist areas affected by the earthquake.

If you are responding to this crisis, we want to hear about it!

If you are a member organization and are providing disaster relief, we would love to help promote your efforts. Please email megan@globalwa.org with a brief description of your response. After we review it, it will be added to this list.

We applaud these members for their quick action:

Peace Winds America’s mission is “to build capacity, increase collaboration, and empower local communities in the Asia Pacific in order to improve preparedness and provide a more integrated, efficient, and effective disaster response.”

Response: Peace Winds America and sister organization Peace Winds Japan are providing aid in response to the earthquake. Peace Winds Japan has 20 years of experience in disaster response and is one of the largest disaster response organizations in the country.

Mercy Corps “exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.”

Response: Mercy Corps is collaborating with longtime partner organization Peace Winds America to respond to this disaster.

World Vision is “a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.”

Response: World Vision has a long history of disaster response, including work in Haiti last year. An assessment team is on the ground, coordinating relief efforts for last week’s earthquake. Visit their press page for the latest news and updates.

Microsoft “is committed to serving the public good through innovative technologies and partnerships that contribute to economic growth and social opportunity and by delivering on our business responsibilities of growth and value to customers, shareholders, and employees.”

Response: Microsoft is making an initial commitment of $2 million to disaster relief in Japan and has already started offering support, software, and other technical assistance to help get operations running again.

RenegAID “is dedicated to improving people’s ability to reestablish themselves in catastrophic disasters.”

Response: RenegAID is working with Spokane Falls Community College’s Japanese Club to put together an effective response. RenegAID will fund all administration costs so that 100% of their donations go to the survivors.

Additionally, RenegAID’s Ready-to-Go Bike project for catastrophic disaster response is ready to implement.  If any organization or individual is interested in working with them on this project, please contact Eunice Stime at 509-595-8777.

JP Morgan Chase‘s  “philanthropic goal is to be the catalyst to meaningful, positive, and sustainable change within our highest need neighborhoods and communities across the globe.”

Response: JP Morgan Chase has committed $5 million to relief and recovery efforts in Japan and has also implemented an employee matching program to encourage employees to give as well. The firm has over 1,000 employees in Japan and has invited them to use JP Morgan Chase facilities as a shelter if needed.

Other responses from Washington organizations and businesses:

Mobile Giving Foundation “was founded in 2007 by veterans of the wireless industry who wanted to harness the immense power of wireless communications to empower non-profit organizations.”

Response: Give to tsunami relief by text message through The Mobile Giving Foundation! Please view their news alert to find out how to give quickly and easily to your charity of choice, using your mobile phone!

Medical Teams International’s missions is “To demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world.”

Response: Medical Teams International is working with three partners: Japan International Food for the Hungry, Friends with the Voiceless, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. These partners are conducting assessments and working directly with local churches to provide relief to victims.

Boeing

Response: Boeing has committed $2 million to relief efforts, which will come from employee contributions and the company’s charitable trust. Boeing contributions will go directly to the Red Cross.

Starbucks

Response: Starbucks and Starbucks Coffee Japan have committed $1.2 million to the Red Cross to help the relief efforts.

Amgen

Response: Amgen is donating $1 million to Direct Relief International and International Medical Corps to be used for survivors’  health services and basic needs.

Weyerhaeuser

Response: The Weyerhaeuser Foundation is contributing $500,000 to the Red Cross for the relief effort.

Cascade Designs

Response: Cascade Designs has donated mattresses, water reservoirs and dry storage bags to Operation USA, which are being shipped to Japan to meet the basic needs of disaster survivors.

Resources:

Kids and activism: A recent blog from The Social Change Collaboratory provides guidance and tools for organizing a fundraising campaign for children who might want to respond to the disaster.

List of Charities: The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a great compilation of U.S. charities and companies that are responding to the quake.

Text your donation: Did you know that you can text your donation to many of the major charities? You can do this through:

• Verizon wireless (for Verizon customers)
• The Mobile Giving Foundation

Verizon Customers and Employees: Verizon is offering its customers free calling to Japan until April 10^th and allowing Verizon customers to text a $10 donation to many of the major charities providing emergency assistance. Verizon will also match employee donations to The Red Cross, World Vision, and Save the Children, up to $1,000 per employee.

The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington: A great place to check back for updates and ways to get involved.

Seattle Japan Relief: “a collaboration of Japanese American and Japan related cultural, educational, and civic organizations standing together to promote relief and recovery following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.”

World Vision’s Japan Press Kit: Useful information, press releases and resources with information on the quake and updates on World Vision’s response.

Donations to Date: The Chronicle on Philanthropy is tracking donations received for the earthquake by organization.

Grantmakers who want to give to the relief effort: The Council On Foundation’s International Grantmaking site is providng  resources and information for grantmakers looking to give to the relief effort in Japan.

The American Red Cross: is supporting the Japanese Red Cross, which is on the ground providing healthcare, supplies, and other assistance to disaster victims.

Thank you all for your concern and your efforts!

Today is International Women’s Day. We join our colleagues in the development field in celebrating the achievements of women, and recognizing the important work being done by development and human rights organizations to empower women worldwide. Research has shown that investing in women and girls is one of the most important components of community development. As women are educated and empowered, they are better able to be change-makers in their families and communities.

Global Washington’s mission is to help our  members work collectively to build a more equitable and prosperous world. We would like to recognize some of the important work being done for women and girls by organizations, companies, foundations, and academic institutions that are based in the state of Washingon.

Please consider supporting the missions of these fantastic organizations! 

PATH:  Path focuses on health equity for women, among the world’s most vulnerable—and influential—populations.

The basic protection of vaccines for women and children around the world.

Path’s work helps women take charge of their own protection

http://www.path.org/woman-initiated-protection.php 

PATH has formed a new product development partnership to advance the Woman’s Condom and expand affordable protection options for women. Under a new four-year, €5.1 million award from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PATH is coordinating with the Shanghai Dahua Medical Apparatus Company (Dahua), CONRAD, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) on a project called Protection Options for Women (POW).

http://www.path.org/news/an110214-womans-condom.php

World Vision: Recognizing women as critical partners in development, World vision’s trained staff actively and sensitively works to equip and encourage women around the world.

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/about/press-development-girls?Open&pos=lft_txt_Women-and-Girls

GAPPS: Works on the premise that “Women are at the economic heart of the developing world. And to do all this work, they need to be healthy.” 

2015 Global Action Agenda ( GAA ) on Preterm Birth & Stillbirth, was created by GAPPS at their international conference a year ago. The primary goal of this GAA is to forge a collaborative effort toward achieving common goals to prevent preterm birth and stillbirth, and to improve related maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. 

http://www.gapps.org/global_action_agenda/

Grameen Foundation: Supports local microfinance institutions and help poor women gain access to information and capital that enables them to create micro businesses and improve their lives.

Highline Community College: Women’s Programs at Highline Community College is proud to be celebrating over 30 years of service. Over the years they have developed many successful partnerships with community agencies to benefit the students of Highline including: co-location of community partners in Women’s Programs including cross-referrals, shared services, and life skills training programs.

http://www.highline.edu/stuserv/womensprograms/index.html

Landesa: Land ownership and secure access to land transforms women and girls from victims to change makers. The Landesa Center for Women’s Land Rights initiatives do this on a large scale, making women and girls powerful and effective tools in the fight against global poverty.

Their Current Initiatives:

In India: The Landesa Center for Women’s Land Rights partners with state governments and local NGOs to help poor women in four states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal).

In China: With the help of partners, the Landesa Center for Women’s Land Rights is advising on a nationwide survey to learn how current land laws are affecting women’s land rights. This survey, across five provinces, is the first of its kind in China and will give us a better picture of female farmers’ needs and the challenges they face.

In Uganda: They are working in partnership with two local NGOs to help women and girls displaced by more than 20 years of civil war, design a program that provides the women with secure land rights.

Secure land rights will help improve the food security, health, and income of these marginalized women and girls, helping them to become self-reliant and reducing their vulnerability to contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS. In this innovative program, the displaced women are playing an active role in designing a solution to their own predicament.

Landesa has Global Fellowship Program for women: They encourage lawyers and other professionals from around the world to pursue a career in women’s land rights and provide training.

Landesa has E-Library on Women’s Property Rights: They are building a database of formal laws related to women’s land rights from every country in the world. The database will also include research on customary law related to women’s land rights. This helps legal practitioners and women’s advocates create more effective and suitable programming.

http://www.landesa.org/women-and-land/current-projects/

Oiko Credit: Oikocredit places a special empahsis on empowering women in teh developing world. Microfinance provides an unprecedented opportunity for women to take control of their own destinies. One of their important projects is Saadhana – women empowerment at the grassroots. Microfinance institution Saddhana operates through women’s centers in deprived districts of Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.oikocredit.org/socialperformance/en/project-examples/saadhana-women-empowerment-at-the-grassroots

http://www.oikocredit.org/en/who-we-are/empowering-women

Rwanda Girls Initiative: Aims to provide a high quality secondary school education for girls in Rwanda, supporting the ‘whole girl’ through a boarding school environment. 

Rwanda Girls Initiative has been awarded a grant of $15,000 from the Seattle International Foundation Global Program.  This grant will support our investment in training and developing Rwandan teachers and administrators for the Gashora Girls Academy.

http://www.rwandagirlsinitiative.org/article/article_detail/44

Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA): Immigrant women, e-skills and employability in Europe 

http://tascha.uw.edu/2011/02/another-immigrant-women-video/

Bridges to Understanding: Uses digital technology and the art of storytelling to empower and unite youth worldwide, enhance cross-cultural understanding and build global citizenship.

One of their successful stories is “ Dowry is a Girl’s life.”

http://www.bridges2understanding.org/project_videos/VimeoGallery_public/BridgesIndia_Dowry.html

Crooked Trails : Works with Friends of Maiti Nepal on behalf of Nepali girls and young women who have been trafficked into sexual slavery in Indian brothels. (ANURADHA KOIRALA of Maiti Nepal won the 2010 CNN HEROES AWARD )

http://crookedtrails.com/partners.php

FUSEIQ: They use technology to connect people and bring communities together. Their aim is “A better web, a better world.”

Since 2007 FUSEIQ has been working on the project with Girls Scouts of Western Washington to create a new site to represent the new entity Girls Scouts of Western Washington (GSWW).

The new site serves as a key information resource as well as an effective marketing tool. The Content Management System has improved the organizations efficiency and use of their resources. This has allowed GWWL to focus on their mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Fuse continues to work with GSWW and will soon be creating a custom shopping cart system that will allow users to purchase “goods” for the Girl Scouts, as well as making direct donations.

http://www.fuseiq.com/our-work/girl-scouts-western-washington

Global Team for Local Initiatives: Runs grind-learn-earn project for women of Hamar tribe in remote southwest Ethiopia.One of the staples of a Hamar woman’s day is grinding grain – pulverizing maize between two stones. It is physically demanding work, done in temperatures over 100 degrees, and it takes three to four hours to grind enough grain to feed her family for the day.

Last winter, the Ethiopian government gave the neighboring communities of Wassemu and Dore a diesel powered grinding mill. There was only one problem: the women did not know how to use the mill properly and, within the first 24 hours, it broke.

Enter GTLI – and the Wassemu women’s coop. For over a year the women’s coop had been eager to start a business. Unable to grow enough food, they yearned for a way to buy it. But isolated from the modern world, they lacked both skills and market opportunities.Suddenly, the broken grinding mill presented an opportunity.

 With a grant from Bainbridge Island (WA) Rotary and Rotary District 5020, GTLI repaired the mill – and taught the Wassemu women’s coop how to run it as a business.

 Today, the coop charges 7¢ to grind, in a just few minutes, what used to take three to four hours. With the money they earn, they employ four people – two women and two men – and buy spare parts and diesel to keep the mill going. These are the first jobs in the Hamar community; the community’s first sustainable business.

The new, “extra” hours give the women time to learn reading, writing, math and recordkeeping – skills that will enable them to start other small businesses

Now the neighboring Hamar communities all want their own “grind – learn – earn” opportunity.

http://gtli.us/stories-from-the-field-1/small-project-big-results

Heal Africa:  HEAL Africa’s hospital and community development work address the root causes of illness and poverty for the people of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Some of the Heal Africa Programs for women are : a) Heal Rape Survivors

b) Stand up together

c) Gender justice that supports empowerment

d) Safe motherhood and Micro-insurance- motherhood prenatal care

http://www.healafrica.org/

Mercy Corps: One of the important projects of Mercy Corps for women is Empower Women In India Through Literacy.

They teach hundreds of Indian women to read and write, boosting their self-esteem and empowering them to open bank accounts, start small businesses and participate fully in their households and communities. So far they have met their $50,000 goal for this project — but every additional dollar we raise will help even more women learn to read and write!

http://www.mercycorps.org/projects/indialiteracy

New Course: They are currently working with partners in five countries to bring resources that empower women, and conserve critical ecosystems. Botswana, Tanzania, Republic of Congo, Democratic republic of Congo,Madagascar.

http://www.anewcourse.org/Our_Work/Current_Projects.aspx

Pre Vent :  Their  mission is promoting and supporting maternal, neonatal and child  global health programs through partnerships for education, prevention and innovation.

Pre- Vent has technical partnership with Merlin to promote the training and retention of local women as healthcare workers in rural areas of Africa.

http://www.pre-vent.org/partnersandprograms.html

Pre-vent in partnership with HAPCSO promotes education and preventive measures to reduce the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS at the community health level and their satellite offices.

http://www.pre-vent.org/partnersandprograms.html

Pre-Vent works towards improving maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) through innovative programs of education and prevention to achieve the following Millennium Development Goals:

MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women.

MDG 4:  Reduce child mortality

MDG 5: Reduce maternal mortality.

MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other major diseases.

http://www.pre-vent.org/mission.html

 Programs under consideration: a) Training of community midwives in Obstetrical Surgery to perform essential and emergency Cesarean Sections at rural based community health facilities. This can reduce maternal and infant mortality dramatically. This program is under consideration for technical support in Sub-Saharan Africa.

b) Training of Registered Nurses to become Family Nurse Practitioners and serve their local community-based health care facilities. This program is in it’s planning stages in Guatemala and emphasizes teaching of women and young girls in topics such as sanitation, clean water, nutrition, pre-conception counseling, healthy pregnancy, and healthy newborn as well as the established curriculum for family nurse practitioners.

http://www.pre-vent.org/mission.html

Results: REF has initiated two major projects that ally with organizations in numerous countries: The ACTION Project and the Microcredit Summit Campaign.

The Microcredit Summit Campaign is working to ensure that 175 million of the world’s poorest families, especially the women of those families, are receiving credit for self-employment and other financial and business services, and that 100 million families rise above the US$1 a day threshold by 2015.

http://www.results.org/about/major_projects/

Richard’s Rwanda is a group of Seattle students who are working together to support Rwandan girls’ education. They provide financial support to low-income girls in the rural area of Nyamata to enable them to complete their primary education and 6 years of secondary school.

Their Accomplishments:

·  Raised nearly $80,000 to support girls in Rwanda to finish their primary and secondary education;

·  Awarded a $25,000 matching grant from Paul Allen Foundation;

·  Annual fund-raising events by Seattle students;

·  Expansion from original chapter at Seattle Girls’ School to six additional high school chapters;

·  Developed a partnership with a local Rwandan girls’ school FAWE (Forum African Women Educationalist Girls School) to establish their own chapter of Richard’s Rwanda IPMUHWE to provide mentoring to low-income girls in the impoverished rural area of Namata; The program has officially been incorporated as part of a community service program for the FAWE School. (See below for more details).

·  June 2010 twelve founding members of RRI (from various member Seattle high schools) traveled to Rwanda to teach English literacy to impoverished high girls in the rural district of Nyamata and strengthen collaboration with their peers at FAWE. They had such a successful experience that a cross-cultural trip is now an annual program. They will offer a trip to Rwanda every summer for the Seattle members of Richard’s Rwanda-IMPUHWE to teach English and connect in person with the girls in Nyamata.

http://www.richardsrwanda.org/?page_id=71

http://www.richardsrwanda.org/

Uplift International: Their mission is to advocate and promote health rights for vulnerable women.

Uplift International and Aim for human rights have been working with six civil society organizations (CSOs) from different parts of Indonesia for the last year on a project that helps promote women’s health rights. 

http://upliftinternational.org/2010/07/advocating-and-promoting-health-rights-for-vulnerable-women/

Washington Women’s Foundation

Engages women in the power of collective giving. Through informed and strategic grant making, their members expand women’s knowledge, invest in the life of the community and demonstrate leadership through effective philanthropy.

http://www.wawomensfoundation.org/

Women’s Enterprises International

Women’s Enterprises International is dedicated to creating opportunities that equip women in developing countries to overcome poverty and transform their lives and communities. They do this by partnering with indigenous women’s groups in development projects that provide solutions to three systemic causes of poverty; lack of access to water, lack of access to business capital and limited access to education for girls.

http://www.womensenterprises.org/

-Compiled by Anamika P. Ved, Global Washington volunteer

A group of fifth graders is ready to make change—by collecting it. I was impressed by this story, reported in the Longview Daily News about fifth grade girls who approached their principal about doing something for the people of Afghanistan. The request corresponded with a local Pennies for Peace campaign, leading up to a visit to Longview by Greg Mortensen, Nobel Peace prize nominee, author of Three Cups of Tea, and founder of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), which works to promote education in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A program of CAI, Pennies for Peace provides school curriculum on cultural issues and philanthropy in conjunction with a penny drive. The Longview school that raises the most money will get to send a delegation to meet Mortensen and give him the check.

The article indicates that the girls not only understood the work that Mortensen was doing, they were also excited about the prospect of meeting him and proud of the chance to help bring education to kids, especially girls, on the other side of the world.

At Global Washington, we are thrilled to hear that young students—tomorrow’s leaders—are aware of global issues and are already enthusiastic about making their world a better place. As participants in a broad-based, statewide coalition of academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and leading businesses, Global Washington members are uniquely positioned to coordinate and build a shared strategy for international education.

Since 2008, Global Washington has convened education experts from across the state to identify avenues for collaboration around this important topic. Our education working group is currently focusing on three areas: world languages, building a global classroom in the U.S. and abroad, and pedagogy and competence building.

We are convening three task forces around each of the education focus areas. We are also planning an International Education Conference in September and developing an advocacy plan to ensure that the development of a cohesive international education system is a critical policy issue for the state of Washington.

Please contact us if you’d like to get involved in our education work and help transform Washington State students into responsible global citizens and peacemakers.

These Longview students have the right idea. What are some of yours?

Read the full article on the Longview “Pennies for Peace” drive

Pennies for Peace

Central Asia Institute

Global Washington International Education Resources