New corrected version of final report from the IAVE Africa Regional Meeting. KARIBUNI KENYA!
The final report of the 2nd IAVE African Regional Conference on the theme of "Getting the Word Out - Volunteering in Africa" is out now! Download a copy at the bottom of this page.
In Africa, sustainable volunteer impact stories and initiatives are rarely, if ever shared. To address this, IAVE and NAVNET organized the 2nd IAVE African regional conference held in Kenya between 11th and 13th July 2011. This was the second IAVE regional conference in Africa after 11 years and included the first ever Africa youth meeting on 14th July 2011. The two events were part IYV+10 celebrations.
A total of 31 participants from 15 countries and 25 Organization and affiliates across Africa were represented in the main conference. 27 participants representing 22 organizations and 10 countries participated in the youth meeting. Dr. Kang-Hyun Lee, IAVE President, Kathleen Dennis, IAVE Executive Director and Mark Molloy, IAVE Youth Board Member were in attendance.
On Day One, IAVE shared information about their network and programs including the global volunteering research. The Volunteer Involving Organizations (VIO) Network in Kenya made a presentation on their initiatives, achievements and challenges, some of which are globally crosscutting, while National Volunteer Network Trust (NAVNET) shared on the volunteer centre model and general information about Kenya. There were also presentations from other participants who shared on the state of volunteerism in their respective countries. The evening was light hearted with presentation of cultural events, over dinner in celebration of the different African Cultures and traditions.
On Day Two there were discussions around volunteerism and some of the myths, practices and misconceptions about volunteerism and challenges faced in creating volunteer programs. There was a inspiring presentation about the African Union’s (AU’s) youth volunteering program which is focused on recruiting African Youth to volunteer in other African countries for development (Africans helping Africans). In order to learn about NAVNET’s work, there was site visit to Action Network for the Disabled (ANDY), in Kibera. To wind the day, the participants had an opportunity to see Kenya’s wildlife in the Nairobi Safari Walk, culminating in a dinner at the world famous Rangers Restaurant located at the edge of Nairobi National park.
On Day Three, there were presentations on volunteering advocacy with Deline Van Boom (Volunteer Centre of Cape Town, South Africa) and Agnetta Nyalita (NAVNET, Kenya) sharing about volunteer centre development. Their two organizations are the only existing formal volunteer centers in Africa and there were discussions on how more volunteer centers could be established in other African countries. A break-out session to discuss on way forward in expanding the IAVE Africa regional network came out with some very useful insights.
The main priority areas identified by the conference team included creating more awareness on volunteerism using information from IAVE; Creating stronger and sustainable partnerships within Africa; Sharing of Database of African NGOs working on volunteerism; Capitalize on members’ experiences to strengthen the network and all to establish a volunteer centre along lines of the EU which promotes volunteer work in Europe.
A special youth meeting was held at the NAVNET offices. Mark Molloy led the discussions towards setting up the IAVE youth component in Africa.
As William Arthur Ward said “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” And so we at NAVNET have wrapped our “THANK YOU” present and are now giving it to IAVE to express our gratitude for having trust in us to deliver in the hosting of the conference, to the participants and conference affiliates for their contribution in the enhancement of the conference content. Karibuni Kenya tena (We welcome you in Kenya again).
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO UPS
The Africa Regional Meeting was made possible through a grant from the UPS Foundation. Once again, Ed Martinez and his colleagues at UPS have demonstrated their commitment to building capacity in the global volunteer community. Thank you!
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE AFRICA MEETING
Here are some of the comments we received about the IAVE Africa Regional Meeting from participants.
Rose Ekeleme, former IAVE Vice President, Nigeria. It was so nice meeting all of you in Nairobi. Let me use this opportunity to commend members of NAVNET for organizing a near perfect meeting. Apart from learning from each other we also had the opportunity of enjoying the hospitality of Kenya.
I believe all of us will go back to our various organizations and spread the good news about IAVE being the leadership organization on volunteering. Kudos to Dr Lee as the President of IAVE under whose leadership we succeeded in holding this meeting.
Marcel Umesi, African Regional Representative to the IAVE Board, Nigeria. With a heart full of gratitude, I thank you all for being part of our success story in Kenya. You all made it possible through your contributions and commitment. The information was tremendous and lessons learn will hardly be forgotten.
In my reckoning, the Kenya meeting is turning point for Africa in the great crusade of volunteering and will remain a reference point in many years to come.
Johnson Kinyua, Kenya. It was nice meeting all of you at IAVE Regional Conference in Nairobi, Kenya and i saw your passion for volunteerism. As you go back to your respective countries, i wish you safe trip and journey mercies. See you next time in Kenya for World Conference in 2014.
Archimede Sekamana, Rwanda. It has been a pleasure to be with you in Nairobi for the IAVE Africa Regional meeting and I hope to see you again. All the best for your volunteer work. Keep up with that spirit of promoting and celebrating volunteerism. We are back home but stay connected.
Lamiel BK Phiri, Zimbabwe. What an awesome gathering of like minds! Agnetta, this e-mail will be incomplete if I fail to say "Bravo!" for a job well done. On our way to the airport with John we could not help admiring the calm and composure you carried on with your business to pull off one very spectacular event for Africa. Thanks to you, Dr Tuesday and NAVNET staff for a job well done.
Mark, Kathi and Dr Lee - you are our "toast for Africa" for taking such an initiative for Africa. The impact may not be immediate but be rest assured that you have set in motion one of the most dynamic process for Africa. It is my fervent faith that this time around Africa will rise and take up its position among the volunteer movements across the world.
[This report comes to us from Agnetta Nyalita, program coordinator at NAVNET, with an assist from Dr. Abdulmalik Gichuki, Executive Director of NAVNET, the host organization for the 2011 IAVE Africa Regional Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.]
Read the rest of E-IAVE in our Newsletter section.
