DECEMBER 2009-JANUARY 2010 E-BULLETIN

Welcome to the new and exciting edition of Development in Action's (DiA) bi-monthly newsletter. As a committee, we felt that as part of our supporter services, you deserve to be kept up to date on DiA's current work both in the UK and overseas. This improved e-bulletin will endeavour to do just that by providing regular committee updates, information on development events, volunteer/supporter reflections and the latest news relating to India and development education. This is an exciting time for DiA with the recent launch of the new website (http://www.developmentinaction.org) and a new and enthusiastic committee who are working hard to develop new initiatives that will help the growth of the organisation over the coming year.

If you would like to publicise events or other opportunities, appear in our bi-monthly supporter feature or share information with our network please get in touch with Priya at communications@developmentinaction.org.

DiA UK News Update

• In November the newly elected Executive Committee came together for the 2009 Future Directions meeting and decided that this year's main priorities will focus on engaging volunteers, strengthening communications and fundraising.
• On Saturday 5th December 2009, DiA joined the masses to march through London in support of a safer climate future for everyone. 'The Wave' happened ahead of crucial international talks at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (Dec 7 - 18 2009) on how to tackle climate change. For further information about the conference and it's agenda, please visit http://en.cop15.dk/.
• The committee will be holding its next meeting on 9th January 2010 at Imperial College, London to discuss new fundraising ideas. If you are interested in attending please email Kate, UK Co-ordinator at info@developmentinaction.org.
• The Cambridge DiA Volunteer Group have been working hard this last month having delivered an 'Ethical Volunteering Overseas' workshop to a local sixth form group and facilitating a volunteering debate at Cambridge University. The group are currently looking for more volunteers to join them and will be holding a training day on the 10th January 2010. If you are interested please email Vikky at uksupport@developmentinaction.org.
• DiA are delighted to form you that we have appointed Jen Hawkins as our newest trustee. Jen's financial expertise, enthusiasm and energy are going to make an excellent addition to the team. Jen works within the financial services sector for KPMG. Jen holds a degree in Geography from Cambridge University and is currently studying for her ACA professional qualification. She has travelled independently in India and her volunteer experience includes a charity expedition to Ecuador, working with orphans and various fundraising events.

This section gives our supporters the opportunity to offer their own personal insight on India. Whether you are a past volunteer reflecting on your work placement, or an avid traveller that would like to raise awareness on a development issue that has had a profound effect on you, we would love to hear from you. If you would like the spotlight to be on you next month, please email Priya at communications@developmentinaction.org.

"I am now embarking on fieldwork to a tribal area of Madhya Pradesh to assess the feasibility of establishing a farmer's cooperative. I have found ASA to be an interesting organisation but it is hard to get a feel of what an NGO does until you meet some of the beneficiaries of their work. What i'm interested in most is how those beneficiaries can manage their own development in innovative ways; key to ASA's approach to date. If India is anything it is unpredictable and challenges your expectations, and I am hoping that all of this will happen with appropriate bafflement and humour in the field as it has done during my time in India so far!" 

• DiA Summer 2009 volunteer, Harriet Swann also shares a brief account of her work placement at Volontariat, Pondicherry: 

"Whilst I lived in Pondicherry for 2 months, I worked at Volontariat, an organisation that works extensively with impoverished children and communities. To get to work each day I cycled half an hour in intense humidity, but loved having the freedom to live and work in India so independently - and just like a local!

My work at Volontariat was really varied and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. It ranged from helping out in the creche with all the extremely cute toddlers to teaching self-planned English classes in the evening. I also mucked in at the farm which houses a foster care programme. All the staff were really friendly and welcomed me into their family unit so quickly. Even after travelling around India and to many other places, the warmth in the people of Pondicherry makes it a favourite of mine. Development in Action gives you the opportunity to live and work within a community independently, engage in rewarding work and have an amazing experience. It was truly inspiring to gain first-hand insight into how a grass-roots NGO has developed the capacity to make a real difference to local communities. My experience taught me so much about education as a powerful tool for improving people's livelihoods. On a personal level, it taught me a lot about myself and my own capabilities." 

Development Events/Lectures/Workshops 

• Human Rights in the Frame: Collateral Damage by Jenny Matthews| Photo Exhibition|From now until 11th December 2009 (Mon-Fri) 9am-6pm|Human Rights Action Centre, London, EC2A 3EA

Long after the peace has been brokered, conflicts continue to exact a disproportionate impact on women. These images, taken in different conflicts around the world, not only demonstrate the lasting legacy of conflict, but highlight the consistent trend of inequality and discrimination that feeds conflict and undermines our responses to it. 

*Free of charge

• For a Green and Just Way out of the Global Crisis|Public Lecture|20th January 2010, 6.30-8.30pm| Brunei Gallery Theatre, School of Oriental and African Studies, London

Lecturer: Dr Susan George, Board Chair of the Transnational Institute

Series: The Globalisation Lectures

Organiser: Professor Gilbert Achcar 

*Free of charge 

• Introduction to Global Citizenship Workshop EYFS-KS4| 27 January 2010, 4-6pm| RISC, Reading 

An action packed introduction to Global Citizenship. Participants will explore what taking action for social justice and sustainability is all about within and beyond the classroom - and why it's an essential part of encouraging children and young people to be active Global Citizens.  

*Cost: £30

For more info and to book a place contact education@risc.org.uk or phone 0118 958 6692 and ask for the member of the Education Team.

The Wider World

• Last week saw the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas leak that officially killed over 3,000 people, unofficially nearly 8,000, and since then has affected close to 600,000. Over 40 tonnes of deadly gas leaked from the plant on 3rd December 1984 and the incident was branded the worst industrial disaster in history. For further information on how to help campaign for justice for the survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, visit http://www.bhopal.net/icjb 
• The 1st December was World Aids Day and saw worldwide recognition of the HIV virus which affects 33.4 million people. South African President Jacob Zuma promised more anti-retrovirals and announced he himself will take an HIV test. For more information on the HIV fight in India check out the Deep Griha Society, Pune and the Wake Up Pune campaign that DiA volunteers are involved in every year.

Finally, from all of us at the Committee, we would like to wish our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010 wherever you may be in world! Below is a photo from two of our 2008 five month volunteers Anna and Priya, celebrating Christmas with the children at Barli Development Insitute for Rural Women, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.