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Contents 02 » Contents A sustainable livelihood 05 > Resourcing PNG’s sustainable nation building efforts By Dame Carol Kidu. 07 > A healthy market place Taking health services to Swaziland’s Market Traders. 08 > Finding a women’s place Tales from a Timorese woman and an Australian Volunteer show how one organisation can change the place in the world of many. 10 > Tourism strengthening cultural identity A united effort to running the Warwagira and Mask Festival in PNG, raises community spirits in Kokopo. 12 > Shaping island life Three Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association staff refl ect on the work of an Australian Volunteer. 14 > Reversing realities UNRWA’s commitment to people with disabilities. 15 > A local approach to food security challenges An innovative guide draws on local knowledge, network and connections to help Melanesian farmers tackle issues of food security and climate change. 16 > Learning from others – from Palestine to South Australia A journey to a remote Aboriginal community changes the perspective of two Palestinian women. 18 > Children of the Rainbow Serpent: Australian roadshow AVI screens this amazing fi lm in Tamworth, Adelaide, Echuca and Narrandera. P > 14 19 > Engaging with Africa A global partnership working together to achieve local visions in Ethiopia and Kenya. 20 > A balancing act in Tuvalu Managing drought and political uncertainty while strengthening Tuvalu’s legal and fi nancial systems. 22 > Learning in action in Nauru PACTAM fi rst aid training delivers results at the Republic of Nauru Hospital. 24 > ANZ’s global perspective ANZ celebrate its fi rst volunteers as part of its Super Regional Volunteers initiative. 26 > Learning by doing Over 85 Macquarie University students enrich their learning experience through PACE International this year. 26 > Celebrating 60 years of volunteering A report on where and who we have celebrated with so far. Regulars 03 > CEO’s Comment 04 > In brief 27 > Book Review Suffi cient for the Day: Towards a Sustainable Culture by Geoff Lacey. 29 > Dates to remember 30 > Fundraising appeal 31 > Photo Gallery People of the Middle East program. P > 10 Australian Volunteers International connects people and organisations internationally to learn from each other and achieve shared goals. AVI enables Australians to join in global efforts to reduce poverty; promote human rights, good governance and gender equality; enhance health and education services; and protect the environment. AVI is a member of the International FORUM on Development Service and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). AustralianVolunteer is AVI’s free magazine, published twice a year. Contributions and good quality photographs are encouraged. Send enquiries and submissions to: The Editor, Australian Volunteer, PO Box 350, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia. Email > mystory@australianvolunteers.com Subscriptions > If this copy was not mailed personally to you, sign up as a member of our website at www.australianvolunteers.com, and choose to receive new issues. Unsubscribe at info@australianvolunteers.com Editors > Christine Crosby, Fran Noonan Sub-editors > Dan Sybaczynskyj, Elmarie Pareezer Graphic Design > Bree Manley, Tim Allan Printing > Printed on recycled paper Distribution > Complete Mailing (posted in biodegradable plastic wrap) Advertising enquiries > mystory@australianvolunteers.com Cover > Australian Volunteer Sustainable Livelihoods Coordinator Deb Salvagno working on a weaving project with Otelia Da Consesat at Coperativa Tais Kultura No Dezenvolvimentu (CTKDS) in Lautem, Timor-Leste. CTKDS receives support from AVI Australian Partner Organisation, the East Timor Women Australia (ETWA). Photo > Louise Cooper/AVI © Australian Volunteers International December 2011 www.australianvolunteers.com Left > UNRWA delivers disability services to Palestinian communities in Gaza. Photo > Courtesy UNRWA Right > PNG Mudman. Photo > Elizabeth Brennan
» Comment » In October this year I had the opportunity to participate in the International Volunteering Cooperation Organisation conference in Kenya. This annual event brings together delegates from international volunteering organisations from around the world, and it was a true privilege to be in Africa and learn about the philosophies and actions of volunteering organisations in the region. In her opening address at the conference Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, the Director of Policy for VSO International shared with us the story of ubuntu and its relationship to volunteering. Archbishop Desmond Tutu says this age-old African ideal “speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. A person with Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous, willing to share.” This spirit is imbued in volunteering throughout Africa. In an inspirational presentation by Musa Sibindi from the Matebeleland AIDS Council (MAC) from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she described volunteering as the practice that not only works to improve quality of life but a movement that produces better human beings by the act of working on behalf of others. In articulating the philosophy of MAC and how they work with community volunteers, she said, “It starts from the principle that within any community there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which, if used in creative ways, can be channelled into a collective.” It is an approach to community development that embraces ubuntu, it relies on humans making those deep connections that enable people to act together, foster an inclusive approach to change that empowers people, communities and countries to own their own development process. For Musa and her colleagues at MAC, they believe, “The greatest resource in development is the human resource and if well managed can yield positive results.” As I refl ect on my past six months, the message of ubuntu has followed me as part of my discussions with a range of politicians and heads of government at CHOGM, in my conversations with the fi rst midwifery graduates from the Hamlin College of Midwifery in Ethiopia and when speaking at the National Midwives Conference in Sydney. Together we have talked positively about the value of human solidarity and community ownership of development, cooperation between community structures and government and establishing stronger connections between all pillars of society. At AVI this approach is not new to us. We are committed to expressing our commitment to people to people links and mutual support at all levels of society. As we prepare to place the fi rst three ANZ staff on international volunteer assignments in Indonesia, Fiji and Solomon Islands as part of our new partnership with ANZ, we also know we are preparing for a greater mutual understanding of each organisation and community involved in this partnership. An experience that will deliver stronger connections and learnings for all involved. Increasing awareness of the value of strong connections has also inspired stronger support for AVI’s, Volunteering SA & NT’s and Volunteering SA & NT’s Aboriginal Reference Group’s effort to establish a volunteering program for Aboriginals across Aboriginal communities. Following the screening of AVI’s fi lm documentary Children of the Rainbow Serpent in Tamworth, Narrandera, Adelaide and Echuca in June, AVI is closer to making the dream of such a program a reality through the generosity of a range of fi nancial partners. The fi lm documents the experiences of four young Aboriginal Australians’ volunteering in India. Screening the fi lm in each of their home towns, the “story telling” format resonated with audiences, consisting of friends, family and members of their local communities. While it did inspire fi nancial support, most importantly it raised awareness of how just one opportunity to connect and work with others can change the lives of so many. In this magazine you will also have the opportunity to read about the journey of two Palestinian teachers to the remote Aboriginal community of Ernabella. Accompanied by two AVI staff, Malak and Iman met community members and talked to teachers about the challenges and rewards they faced in working in this remote community. While the experience was confronting for Malak and Iman they have developed a profound understanding of the impact of strong Our Board Justice Richard Refshauge (Chair) Ms Alison Crook AO (Deputy Chair) Mr Kurt Fearnley OAM Ms Jenny McGregor Mr Robert McLean Ms Sam Mostyn Mr Greg Thompson Our President Ms Margaret Jackson AC Our Life Members Mr Bill Armstrong AO Mrs Betty Feith Dr Bob Meyenn Mr Hugh O’Neill Our Patrons Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC Hon Michael Kirby AC, CMG Sir Gustav Nossal AC, CBE Prof Lowitja O’Donoghue AC, CBE Mr David Scott AO Rt Hon Ian Sinclair AC Hon E G Whitlam AC, QC Our Programs • Australian Africa Community Engagement Scheme • Australian Volunteers for International Development • ANZ - Super Regional Volunteers • AVI / VSO Partnership • AVI Worldwide • Cambodian Midwives Project • Children of the Rainbow Serpent documentary • Hamlin Fistula Hospital Project • Lawyers Beyond Borders • Macquarie University PACE International • Pacifi c Technical Assistance Mechanism connections. I will leave you with some thoughts from Malak about this and how it has affected them, “No person gets in contact with another person and gets nothing…. The more you get in contact with others the more you acquire, whether you felt it directly or not. If you feel it, you have to make use of it.” For Malak and Iman the opportunity to make contact with the community and teachers of Ernabella and how they feel about the future for the Palestinian people they say, “Our belief in the [ability to] change has become real.” Warmest regards and in peace Dimity Fifer Chief Executive Offi cer Above > (l-r) AVI Program Offi cer Tanzania Musa Naroro and CEO Dimity Fifer with Hamlin College of Midwifery Director Annette Bennett and Jacqueline Bernhard, Dean Hamlin Midwifery Colleage at the second Hamlin College graduation in Ethiopia. Photo > Sandra Johannessen Comment 03
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