Development in Action celebrates 10 years of achievement - Liza Coffin
On 23 November 2004 , leading MPs and peers, and representatives from key development education organisations, joined DiA volunteers past and present to celebrate Development in Action 's 10 th Anniversary at the Palace of Westminster .
Mariana Goetz (DiA Trustee) and Liza Coffin (DiA Secretary) with Tom Brake MP
The evening was hosted by Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on International Development, Tom Brake MP, who praised our unique work:
“ Development in Action inspires young people to engage in the wider world at a time when awareness and understanding is of increasing importance.
“Since this unique charity was founded ten years ago, more than 160 young people have volunteered with Indian non-governmental organisations on placements organised by DiA. On their return to the UK these volunteers have produced a wealth of material and held scores of events to encourage interest in global issues in their local communities.”
The aim of holding such a prestigious event to celebrate our 10 th anniversary was to raise awareness about DiA's work among decision-makers, with related organisations and in the wider community. It was also a valuable opportunity for past volunteers to get involved again and learn about how Development in Action has evolved.
We were joined by more than 50 guests including Tony Worthington , a Labour MP and member of the Select Committee on International Development. This parliamentary committee, made up of MPs of all parties, gathers evidence on a wide range of issues. It has most recently published reports on migration and development, and the Department for International Development's agriculture policy.
The success of the event could be seen on the night in the way our guests were engaged and enthused by conversation with our volunteers. Invaluable relationships were established that evening, the fruits of which are already coming to bear.
On 30 November, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on higher education David Rendel MP commended Development in Action 's work in a speech to the House of Commons on the future of education. He highlighted the role of education in promoting cross-cultural understanding and its importance in establishing a more secure global community:
“When I talked to some of the volunteers, I was struck by the vital links that exist between education, the idea of global citizenship and the prospects for greater tolerance and understanding across the borders of geography, imagination and economic opportunity that divide our world.”
Since hosting our celebratory reception, Tom Brake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) – a statement that expresses an MP's opinion and allows them to canvass support for it among other MPs – calling on politicians of all parties to promote Development in Action 's example. At the time of printing nearly 49 MPs representing six different political parties had signed their names to support the motion. If you'd like to find out if your MP has signed our EDM visit http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=462 .
But it is not only within the Westminster Village that Development in Action has begun to make its mark. As a result of the reception DiA has received coverage in national and regional papers, and has been a source of discussion on local radio stations. We have also established closer ties with related organisations including OneWorld and BOND (the UK network of voluntary organisations working in international development and development education).
In his speech to our guests, Tom Brake MP expressed his admiration for DiA's ability to throw a punch far greater than its weight. Development in Action 's growth over the past ten years culminated in a fantastic celebration of our achievements that was a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers. I have no doubt that it is possible for young people to shape society and, in the words of one of our founding members Mariana Goetz, “make the world what we think it should be.”
Mariana Goetz (DiA Trustee) and Liza Coffin (DiA Secretary) with Tom Brake MP
The evening was hosted by Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on International Development, Tom Brake MP, who praised our unique work:
“ Development in Action inspires young people to engage in the wider world at a time when awareness and understanding is of increasing importance.
“Since this unique charity was founded ten years ago, more than 160 young people have volunteered with Indian non-governmental organisations on placements organised by DiA. On their return to the UK these volunteers have produced a wealth of material and held scores of events to encourage interest in global issues in their local communities.”
The aim of holding such a prestigious event to celebrate our 10 th anniversary was to raise awareness about DiA's work among decision-makers, with related organisations and in the wider community. It was also a valuable opportunity for past volunteers to get involved again and learn about how Development in Action has evolved.
We were joined by more than 50 guests including Tony Worthington , a Labour MP and member of the Select Committee on International Development. This parliamentary committee, made up of MPs of all parties, gathers evidence on a wide range of issues. It has most recently published reports on migration and development, and the Department for International Development's agriculture policy.
The success of the event could be seen on the night in the way our guests were engaged and enthused by conversation with our volunteers. Invaluable relationships were established that evening, the fruits of which are already coming to bear.
On 30 November, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on higher education David Rendel MP commended Development in Action 's work in a speech to the House of Commons on the future of education. He highlighted the role of education in promoting cross-cultural understanding and its importance in establishing a more secure global community:
“When I talked to some of the volunteers, I was struck by the vital links that exist between education, the idea of global citizenship and the prospects for greater tolerance and understanding across the borders of geography, imagination and economic opportunity that divide our world.”
Since hosting our celebratory reception, Tom Brake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) – a statement that expresses an MP's opinion and allows them to canvass support for it among other MPs – calling on politicians of all parties to promote Development in Action 's example. At the time of printing nearly 49 MPs representing six different political parties had signed their names to support the motion. If you'd like to find out if your MP has signed our EDM visit http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=462 .
But it is not only within the Westminster Village that Development in Action has begun to make its mark. As a result of the reception DiA has received coverage in national and regional papers, and has been a source of discussion on local radio stations. We have also established closer ties with related organisations including OneWorld and BOND (the UK network of voluntary organisations working in international development and development education).
In his speech to our guests, Tom Brake MP expressed his admiration for DiA's ability to throw a punch far greater than its weight. Development in Action 's growth over the past ten years culminated in a fantastic celebration of our achievements that was a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers. I have no doubt that it is possible for young people to shape society and, in the words of one of our founding members Mariana Goetz, “make the world what we think it should be.”
posted by Development in Action at 20:23
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