Intervida promotes Education for Development as one of the strategic guidelines of its work
Madrid (28/03/2008). Within its new strategic guidelines, INTERVIDA is aware that one of the pillars of the Third Sector is Education for Development and it is for this reason that it has set the promotion of the same as one of its main objectives and challenges. Along these lines, the organization has elaborated a documented to clarify the limitations, objectives and methodologies of Education for Development as a first step towards establishing a theoretical framework which can guide the organization’s actions in this area. This document is available online at www.intervida.org/150/section.aspx/240.
INTERVIDA regards Education for Development las an educational process consisting in discourses, knowledge and practices –in both formal and informal settings –which aim to raise critical awareness and commitment, responsibility, and action of individuals and collectives to promote a shift in the current model of North-South relations towards one based on fair and equal opportunities for social, political and economic participation for all people and communities around the world.
As such, Education for Development goes beyond raising momentary awareness, fund-raising or marketing policies; rather, it represents a more profound dimension in a process which seeks to go deeper in the analysis and understanding of the causes of the imbalanced relations between North and South, to favor solidarity, cooperation and change, and finally to center is efforts on identifying and developing the actions needed to make this change. This involves planned medium- and long-term actions which aim to transform the discourse, knowledge and practices of the people which they target in terms of this issue.
Along these lines, Education for Development has evolved significantly since its beginnings, corresponding with changes which have also taken place in various models of cooperation and development. Currently, it is associated with a new socio-political role which some NGOs have begun to promote, which is justified not only in terms of the technical efficiency of the projects, but also as social agents which promote the transformation of North-South relations, awareness, social responsibility and commitment, which create a “culture of solidarity”, and which represent a counterpoint to the current policies of globalization.
In light of this perspective, INTERVIDA has elaborated a strategy which establishes Education for Development as one of the basic pillars of its work, not only in the “North” countries, but also in the “South”, as well as within the organization itself.
In the North countries, in addition to offering the magazine and Website SOL for children with fun content related with Education for Development, the organization will work with the sponsors to inform them about the realities against which we fight, thus promoting changes in attitude and social mobilization which reverberate in a global transformation of North-South relations towards a model which is more critical, responsible and, above all, fair. At the same time, INTERVIDA aims to make pedagogical resources related with Education for Development available to schools; and, as an organization, to serve as a platform for promoting and strengthening ties to encourage mutual recognition, respect and tolerance for diversity, and the exchange of knowledge and good practices in Education for Development. INTERVIDA also seeks to open itself to the outside through its participation is broader Education for Development forums and networks together with other public institutions and organizations in the sector which are currently working along these lines.
In the countries where it is active in carrying out its development projects, INTERVIDA continues working with the communities to establish and reinforce awareness-raising programs, education in rights and values, and to promote professional training. Finally, INTERVIDA professionals in both the North and South are being trained to undertake this effort in the most efficient way as possible.
About FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and completely independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities around the world. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in various countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
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