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PIANGO Monthly 3.3

(The PIANGO Monthly is made possible through financial assistance from the CCFD and the Commonwealth Foundation)

Editorial

The endorsement of the PIANGO program areas by the Coordinating Committee reflects confidence in the network. The success of PIANGO will depend very much on how efforts are coordinated not only with its members but also with other national, regional, and international agencies and donors. PIANGO strives to be as inclusive as possible and welcomes ideas on how it can best carry out its tasks. PIANGO currently has fifteen national NGO Umbrella bodies and five interim-members.

Multi-Stake Holders Consultation on 'Capacity Building'
March 10th, 2000

The main purpose of the meeting was to participate in discussing a regional 'multi-stakeholders' workshop on 'Capacity Building'. Organizations involved included NZODA, AusAid, CID(Council for International Development), ADB and PIANGO. Strengthening NGO capacity in areas ranging from development of management expertise to policy and advocacy skills has been identified by NGOs and donors alike as a critical priority in terms of addressing development, governance and vulnerability issues facing Pacific countries. The main issues discussed in the consultation in Wellington, New Zealand included looking at:

  • the important and growing role of national and regional NGOs in many areas of development activity within the Pacific, especially in the context of current public sector and economic reform occurring in Pacific countries
  • the vital role of NGOs in strengthening civil society more broadly, and in promoting good governance and human rights
  • the often fragile nature of many NGOs in the region at a time when the roles they play in a range of sectors and areas are facing growing expectations and demands.

NGO capacity building needs and priorities in the Pacific have been the focus of several recent donor and NGO initiatives in the region. These include current work by the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO) to develop and implement a regional NGO capacity building strategy; various regional and national projects supported by donors throughout the Pacific; and discussions which are currently underway between Pacific NGOs, the EU and European NGOs within the framework of the EU/ACP agreement which has replaced the Lome Convention. The particular impetus for the planned workshop came from the Third Council Meeting of PIANGO in Vanuatu, July 1999. NGO participants representing 20 countries expressed concerns about the lack of donor coordination in supporting NGO capacity building in the region and noted a tendency for priorities and activities in this area to be externally driven. Discussion at this meeting, as well as amongst NGOs and donors since then, has indicated a need for greater collaboration, mutual reinforcement and coordination in current efforts to address the capacity building needs and priorities of NGOs in the region. As a result, the coalition of agencies listed above decided to take the initiative and convene this workshop to provide a forum for donors and other key stakeholders to:

  • share information on current plans, activities and experiences
  • explore options and possibilities for developing a more strategic and coordinated approach in this critical area.

Invitations to take part in the workshop have been sent to organisations and individuals who are in some way engaged in NGO capacity building activity on a regional rather than strictly national basis. It is envisaged that this workshop will be followed by a second similar event in approximately 12 months time to review progress and develop further plans.

Prior to the meeting on the 10th of March, the Coordinator and PIANGO's technical advisor also met with staff from the 'Not for profit' course at UNITEC (University of Technology, Auckland), OXFAM (New Zealand), Te Korowai Aroha (Palmerston North), Council for International Development (CID), Development Resource Center, Public Health Association of New Zealand Inc., and NGO representatives from the Wellington region. There was also separate meetings organised with officials from NZODA and CANADA FUND.

(PIANGO's participation in the consultation was made possible through financial assistance from CIDA/UNDP)

The Pacific NGOs Conference on Decentralised Co-operation and the Future of the Lomé Convention
21 - 24 March 2000, Nadi, Fiji

The "Pacific NGOs Conference on Decentralised Co-operation and the future of the Lomé Convention" from the 21st -24th in Nadi, Fiji has brought together non-government and community-based organisations from the Pacific and Europe, representatives of Pacific Island governments, National Authorising Officers (NAOs) from some of the Governments of the region, representative of the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO), the European Commission in Brussels (EC), and European Union Delegation in Fiji.

  1. The empowerment of civil society to identify and articulate the nature of development they envision and to participate in developing policies at all decision making levels with Civil society, Government, and the EC.
  2. That capacity building be carried out as a priority activity in order to develop and equip participants including chiefs, community leaders and religious leaders.
  3. To ensure that Civil society and relevant line Ministries are to be well informed about the new Convention.

There was general consensus among participants at the conference in:

  • Ensuring the effective and continuous participation of civil society actors in ACP-EU co-operation
  • Providing capacity building support to Pacific civil society, and
  • Improving the Management of Decentralised Co-operation Programs

The conference endorsed the continuation of the PCRC/ECSIEP LOME Project.

PIANGO was represented at the meeting by Joy Balazo (member of the Coordinating Committee of PIANGO) and the Coordinator.

Attachment with Te Korowai Aroha (TKA)

Ashley Karae, PIANGO's financial manager completed a three-day attachment with Te Korowai Aroha (TKA), an indigenous Maori Training Institution in Palmerston North in Aotearoa/New Zealand from the 30th of March to the 1st of April, 2000. The attachment focussed mainly on financial management, especially on maximising the use of 'Quick Books' (Accounting Package), version 6. Ashley found the experience very worthwhile and thanked TKA for their generosity.

The attachment was made possible with financial assistance from the SMILE Program of UNDP.

14th FCOSS (Fiji Council Of Social Services) National Conference on Social Development

The basic building blocks of the civil society- citizens - have largely remained invisible in public discourse. The relevance of citizen participation as the foundation of civil society needs to be recognized and their contributions appreciated.

FCOSS 14th National Conference on Social Development held at Vanua Levu Institute of Technology in Labasa this year focussed on citizens - and the civil society and their actions and their contributions in building a better society. The citizen's voices collated in a recent survey- Civil Society in the New Millennium was discussed in detail in the three day programme. The programme commenced with the launching of the Fiji Report and ended with district social concerns, dinner and an evening full of fun. The summary of the report from the survey conducted by FCOSS in conjunction with the Commonwealth Foundation was discussed at the Commonwealth NGO Parallel Forum in Durban, South Africa and presented at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November. After the launch of the full Fiji report the conference worked out an action plan to act upon the recommendations in the document at every level- from the very grassroots to the decision making.

Second day of the programme looked at enabling people to participate in decision making and building civil society for social change in the new millennium. A Government Minister met the participants on the morning of the third day of the programme for discussions on issues of concern. Action plans were finalised and FCOSS Annual General Meeting will saw the end of the programme.

In an effort to have citizens voices heard the conference was held in English, Hindi and Fijian and was opened to every citizen. Participants had various opportunities to express their views in the panel discussions, plenery and workshops.

For more information contact Sashi Kiran on phone 312649 or write to P O Box 13476, Suva.

National Solomon Islands NGO Capacity Building Conference
16-20 April, 2000

The NGO Capacity Building Conference was held at the SIBC Conference Room in Honiara, Solomon Islands from April 16-20, 2000. Below is the communique that came out following the conference.

COMMUNIQUE
A meeting of 80 representatives of Non-Government Organizations and Community Based Organizations in Honiara this week was the first nation wide gathering of these groups since 1998. A diverse and challenging agenda was successfully covered. The discussion was held in an environment of mutual respect and consistent participation that shows the growing maturity of Solomon Island NGOs.

Recognition
Government and donors should recognize that devolution of services carries with it the prior responsibility for building of the capacity of NGOs and community based organizations to carry increased financial, legal and administrative responsibilities. In this light, the Conference welcomes the New Zealand Government/DSE NGO strengthening program and the partnership of Development Services Exchange and the Council for International Development of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Conference recognizes that building the relationships necessary to achieve successful partnerships in a long-term activity. Results will not be achieved overnight and involves building capacity, trust and confidence.

The Conference notes that Governments and donors should recognize the independence of NGOs and Community Based Organizations in a partnership that enables them to represent their own members' interests and that this independence is vital if the value of these organizations is to be realized. The Conference recognizes that the ethnic tension situation has made participation in this Conference difficult for some communities so members of Development Services Exchange must do what they can to help organizations in these communities.

Appreciation
The Conference participants express their sincere thanks to the New Zealand Government for its support of the Capacity Building Program and to all resource people from the Deputy Prime Minister, the representatives of Solomon Islands Government, the Institute of Public Administration, the Embassy of the Republic Of China, the British High Commission, the Australian High Commission, the representatives of Paruparu Training Center of Bougainville, the New Zealand High Commission, the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs, the Council of International Development of Aotearoa/New Zealand, VSA, CUSO and US Peace Corps representatives who all made valuable contributions to the long term development of Solomon Islands NGOs through their active participation in our Conference. We express our thanks to SIBC for the conference center, the caterers, transport companies and to SICHE for providing services and equipment making this conference successful.

ACTION PLAN:

  1. That a Memorandum of Understanding between Development Services Exchange and the Ministry of Home Affairs be developed for the mutual support of the Government of Solomon Islands and NGOs. This Memorandum will address the respective roles, responsibilities and resource commitments of the parties.
  2. That Development Services Exchange will develop a base in each province for improved access to information, services and development assistance and to promote equitable distribution among provinces through the New Zealand and Solomon Islands Government NGO capacity building program.
  3. That community based organizations must strengthen their organizations and that Government and donors must recognize the full cost of supporting rural based organizations and support these organizations through financial assistance for planning and management.
  4. That Development Services Exchange should help Community Based Organizations build capacity through project development, proposal writing and access to financial support and specifically that DSE facilitates a workshop on proposal writing for its members to be supported by a suitable donor or Government agency. The importance of the "Pipol Empaoament" project is noted as one vehicle for this purpose.
  5. That NGOs will share information, resources and make an effort to network effectively and that Government and donors should support NGOs in these efforts directly and through Development Services Exchange.
  6. That Development Services Exchange will adopt a Gender policy in accordance with National Council of Women's policy and NGO Good Policy and Guidelines and that all member NGOs will utilize this policy.
  7. That NGOs must plan for sustainability so, as a first step, the Development Services Exchange management committee will study a National NGO Credit Union and, if found feasible, will be implemented. It is understood that this step will lead to further investigation of economic sustainability for NGOs in Solomon Islands.
  8. That Development Services Exchange will complete an NGO communication plan to help Community Based Organizations to better communicate with communities, between each other, with Development Services Exchange and with the outside world through support from the NZODA capacity building program.
  9. That NGOs must have access to independent legal services so Development Services Exchange is to proceed with arrangements for a lawyer to be engaged and these services to be provided on an affordable basis to members.
  10. That Development Services Exchange, through its current capacity building program with NZODA, promotes partnerships between local NGOs and overseas NGOs working in similar fields.
  11. That NGO members of Development Services Exchange commit themselves to take on responsibilities to assist in implementation of all actions.

Endorsement
The members of Development Services Exchange and all conference participants endorse this Communiqué and request that the Development Services Exchange secretariat circulate it to all interested people and organizations. Casper J. Fa'asala Charles Kelly General-Secretary Chairperson Development Services Exchange Secretariat Development Services Exchange

Coordinating Committee Meeting

The Coordinating Committee members of PIANGO met for their first quarterly meeting in 2000 from 19-21 in Nadi, Fiji. The Committee discussed and endorsed the PIANGO Work-plan and Budget for the Year 2000. There was also focus on the structure of PIANGO, the core beliefs and values of the network, and the terms of references of the PIANGO Secretariat, the National Liaison Units (NLUs), and the Coordinating Committee.