I tend towards a variety of non-profit organizations as a rule, but there are certain IGOs of which I am especially fond.
The United Nations (www.un.org) - It has its issues, but the UN revolutionized international relations and the combination of UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO, among other agencies, have made significant advances in human rights and development issues.
The European Union (europa.eu) - An entire class during my Masters was devoted to this regional IGO. I loved studying the evolution of the organization.
Interpol (www.interpol.int) - Revolutionized the pursuit of criminals across borders.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Introduction: Foundations for International Community Development
Hello everyone!
I am a passionate believer in human rights, particularly the rights of children. Because of this, all of my studies, volunteering and employment have focused on improving the circumstances of others. My educational background is in Political Science and French, and I travel as much as I can! (Most recently to Hong Kong in September 2010).
Currently, I work for Ontario Works, the social assistance program here in Ontario. Every day I see people who are desperate for some kind of help just to provide for their families. Although international development is my focus, I also believe that it is important to develop our own communities, as there are always those who struggle.
In the process of completing my Masters degree in International Relations in 2007, I travelled for a year to countries on five continents. I saw quite a range of development in my travels, from the very developed EU countries to those where the citizens struggled to get by. I participated in building houses, visited people in their homes, and backpacked through small towns to really get a feel for the country and the people. This is where my interest in international community development began. To really affect change, it is necessary to empower a community by providing the skills they need to make change occur. I am especially interested in the role of women and children in affecting change, as I found that they are often an overlooked, yet powerful, element of local cultures.
My personal goals for this course are to learn the structure and the basics of international community development so that I can earn the certificate in ICD and pursue employment in an international development or human rights organization.
International Community Development Links:
The Citizen's Handbook (http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/) - Although a British Columbia based site, the Citizen's Handbook has a wealth of practical information on community development projects that are easily adapted for different communities in Canada or abroad.
The International Association for Community Development (http://www.iacdglobal.org/) - An international nonprofit that works towards social justice through community development approaches.
The Girl Effect (http://www.girleffect.org/) - An organization that works towards the empowerment of the 600 million adolescent girls who live in poverty around the world. One of my personal favourites, and the videos are particularly effective in getting attention and describing their process of community development.
I am a passionate believer in human rights, particularly the rights of children. Because of this, all of my studies, volunteering and employment have focused on improving the circumstances of others. My educational background is in Political Science and French, and I travel as much as I can! (Most recently to Hong Kong in September 2010).
Currently, I work for Ontario Works, the social assistance program here in Ontario. Every day I see people who are desperate for some kind of help just to provide for their families. Although international development is my focus, I also believe that it is important to develop our own communities, as there are always those who struggle.
In the process of completing my Masters degree in International Relations in 2007, I travelled for a year to countries on five continents. I saw quite a range of development in my travels, from the very developed EU countries to those where the citizens struggled to get by. I participated in building houses, visited people in their homes, and backpacked through small towns to really get a feel for the country and the people. This is where my interest in international community development began. To really affect change, it is necessary to empower a community by providing the skills they need to make change occur. I am especially interested in the role of women and children in affecting change, as I found that they are often an overlooked, yet powerful, element of local cultures.
My personal goals for this course are to learn the structure and the basics of international community development so that I can earn the certificate in ICD and pursue employment in an international development or human rights organization.
International Community Development Links:
The Citizen's Handbook (http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/) - Although a British Columbia based site, the Citizen's Handbook has a wealth of practical information on community development projects that are easily adapted for different communities in Canada or abroad.
The International Association for Community Development (http://www.iacdglobal.org/) - An international nonprofit that works towards social justice through community development approaches.
The Girl Effect (http://www.girleffect.org/) - An organization that works towards the empowerment of the 600 million adolescent girls who live in poverty around the world. One of my personal favourites, and the videos are particularly effective in getting attention and describing their process of community development.
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