This world is complex, unfathomable some might even say, and yet one
thing which is at its crux is development – its incessant evolving nature. Understanding and interpreting this movement is the tricky part, because why do some
countries progress while others suffer stunted growth?
Naturally I am biased; I have a deep passion for international development, but I truly do believe that it affects every single person, every single day. Just last week it was announced that the UK would no longer be giving aid to India – was this drastically overdue for a country which has its own space programme, or is this a spending cut measure at its cruellest?
People commit their lives to trying to work out how best to help the world’s vulnerable, the most sustainable eradication of poverty, how to support developing countries so they are self-sufficient, because vitally, development is simply not just a transferring of funds. It is governmental officials, intellectuals, NGOs, think tanks, independent external bodies and people like you and I who just question the world order and demand change. Development is about getting informed and asking whether what we’re doing is the best thing –and there is no better place for your questions than at Southampton’s very own International Development Conference, held this coming weekend.
Okay, so I’ll repeat this again, I am biased, and I am helping to organise this conference, but because of that I am in a perfect position to tell you how awesome it will be!
The tagline of this year’s conference is ‘Social Action in 2012’ – we wanted to keep it current, in such a fast-paced environment we wanted to tackle how the world is now. It is easy to become insular, to get trapped in our own interests and not think of the wider challenges and innovations unique to 2012.
We’ve invited a whole host of speakers and organisations to come and talk about the status of development and we’d love for you to come along! There are different streams within the conference, each focusing on a different element - from human rights, to social media, ethical consumerism and more traditional charities.
Here are but a few:
Build Africa:
Build Africa works exclusively in rural areas of Uganda and Kenya. They combine learning and earning opportunities which offer long-term solutions to poverty for children and their families.
Their vision is for every young person in Africa to fulfil their potential and to make a difference. http://www.build-africa.org/
WAM International – Women Advancing Microfinance:
The mission of WAM International is to advance and support women working in microfinance and microenterprise development through education and training, by promoting leadership opportunities, and by increasing visibility of women's participation and talent while maintaining a work/life balance.
http://www.wam-international.org/
Save the Children:
Save the Children works in 120 countries. They save children’s lives. They fight for their rights. They help them fulfil their potential.
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk
Medical Aid for Palestinians:
Medical Aid for Palestinians works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.
http://www.map-uk.org/
Restless Beings:
Restless Beings is an international human rights organisation which aims to support marginalised communities that are deprived of media or public attention. Its projects are holistic in operation and work towards self-sufficiency.
http://www.restlessbeings.org/
Southampton Hubs (who are putting on this conference) asked University of Southampton students what was a BIG DEAL to them. I think the results clearly show an interest in international development – there is no better place to explore this than at our conference!
The format of the conference is as follows:
On Friday 16th November there will be a film screening – it is a film made by HART a humanitarian charity and it investigates a silent, yet tragic topic. It explores the refugees living in the South Sudan caves, trapped between the two newly-divided nations; they became the target of genocide killings and they fight back. After the film we will chair a discussion with a speaker coming down from HART.
On Saturday 17th November we have a full timetable of speakers and talks; we have also allotted time for networking and for you to have a chat with the representatives from the various organisations. Therefore if you have any niggling questions, if you want to know a bit more, if want to be engaged and have a closer look at our global order and see if its working properly I urge you to join us. This weekend you are given the opportunity to try and understand our world just a little bit more, so come along and show your interest.
Feel free to email us if you have any questions - idc@southamptonhub.org.
I hope to see you there!
Florence
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