| Author |
Message |
Gail Neudorf
| | Posted on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 08:53 pm: | |
I was wondering if there is any association that looks after the rights and interests of aid workers. A number of people I work with are interested in:
legal rights
contractual issues with NGOs and UN departments
insurance coverage and the ability of organizations to adequately cover staff in dangerous environments
Information on organizations expat and national staff policies (ie which is a good boss and which will take everything they can from you in 6 months or less).
There seems to be little information even though there are several thousand contractual aid workers around the world.
Thanks for the help |
Alex Jacobs
| | Posted on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:56 am: | |
I am extremely interested in the idea of a professional body of some sort for aid workers. There are two approaches. (a) is to represent the interests of aid workers (as Gail suggests). (b) is to regulate their professional standard. A good analogy is with the British Medical Association (which represents the interests of doctors) and the General Medical Council (which represents the interests of patients by regulating doctors).
Many professional bodies try to do both. An interesting - but not unworkable - conflict of interests. As I understand it, the Aid Workers Network is most closely aligned with (a). As things have worked out, I have started to get interested in (b). A few other initiatives have recently kept this in my mind, including primarily the Humanitarian Accountability Project (HAP) www.hapgeneva.org.
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Conall O'Caoimh
| | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 06:44 pm: | |
Hi,
Comhlámh is the Irish Association of Development Workers.
We are delighted to link with similar organisations in other countries.
We have been going for 27 years, just in Ireland.
Our purpose is twofold.
1. To support development workers in their personal and professional needs, particularly on their return to Ireland. Therefore we provide professional career advice, courses info, grant info, welfare info, etc to DWs. Internet Jobs Notice Board. Also 'group debriefings' ('Coming Home Weekends'), social events, Summer and Christmas parties, etc.
2. To facilitate development workers in bringing back to Ireland their awareness of development and global issues of justice and human rights. So we provide much training in development education, campaigning, etc, and run active campaigns in a range of issues from 'Quality of Aid' (agency practice) to Trade justice, Anti-Racism, Refugee Rights, EU Common Agricultural Policy, etc.
See http://www.comhlamh.org
In recent times as a greater proportion of Irish DWs go as employees, and relatively fewer as volunteers, we are seeing the need to be more active in promoting the professional interests of those still out there. So we see this as a growing area of our work.
We have a two-edged relationship with development NGOs. Most of our members (700) have worked with the ngos, but we also critique the aid system in ways that can upset them.
We did have links to 'Ex-Volunteers International' during the early '90s, but have not heard from them in a while. Also in Britain there is the Returned Volunteers Association (RVA). We have in recent years given some moral support (info. etc) to groups in Italy and Czech Republic seeking to initiate similar groups, but I don't know if they are still operational.
In the UK there is also People In Aid (http://www.peopleinaid.org ) which works from the direction of promoting good practice and capacity in the human resource aspect of NGO work. Some agencies in Ireland are now affiliating to PIA. We have held a few meetings and training sessions together with them in Dublin.
A recent piece of research we carried out found 36 models in use internationally for good practice in different aspects of aid process. Email me to receive it.
Hope some other similar orgs exist in other countries, and glad to hear from you.
Conall |
Mary McClymont
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 01:22 am: | |
I do know that the UN has a staff association which may be somewhat like a union. |
Stephen Tournas
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 10:50 am: | |
I am associated with a group of Peace Corps volunteers who served in Botswana, some of whom are still in development (like myself!) but most of whom are not. In any case, I am not aware of any association of aid workers, but I do find the question very interesting! Within USAID and the State Dept. there are chapters of the American Federation of Government Employees, a union of course. Within USAID and State in particular there is the American Foreign Service Association (www.afsa.org). Lastly, the NGO Interaction, at www.interaction.org, is a policy and legislative advocacy group for organizations in development (but not for individuals). That's all that comes to mind--hope it might be useful. |
Bill Dunn
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 10:42 am: | |
I doubt that any Peace Corps associated groups would fit into what Gail is looking for. Since Peace Corps is a voluntary organization, it doesn't really seem to fit that a quasi-union organization would have much impact on the Peace Corps bureaucracy. What little assistance people might need could probably be handled through the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). Not to say that something of this sort wouldn't be helpful in some cases, particularly with volunteers still in the field.
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Leslie Ewart
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 11:09 am: | |
FICSA represents international civil servants, primarily the staff of the UN and its specialized agencies. Our members are already organized at the local level into staff associations or unions. We do not offer membership for individuals.
FICSA has a special category of membership for non-UN system international civil servants. If aid workers were to organize into associations or unions, they would most likely be eligible for that category of membership.
However, FICSA is sensitive to the needs and concerns of aid workers, particularly regarding salaries, benefits, contracts, conditions of service and security/safety issues. We have had discussions about labour organizing for aid workers with Public Services International (PSI), which represents the interests of 20 million public sector workers worldwide. The primary concern expressed was how to identify and contact aid workers. |
Jeff Collins
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 03:36 pm: | |
Friends of Zimbabwe is, at this point, more of a resource for keeping past volunteers in touch with each other and informed of current events in Zimbabwe. We were getting together just as Peace Corps suspended the Zimbabwe project for security reasons, so we never worked directly with active volunteers. Some 'Friends' groups offer funding for volunteer projects, but I'm not aware of any organized RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) efforts to influence working conditions, etc. As mentioned above, National Peace Corps Association <www.rpcv.org> could best answer that question. |
Brian Farenell
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 05:01 pm: | |
I guess Peace Corps Volunteers could be considered aid workers. They're really more involved in the development area, rather than the aid area. Although the PC program Crisis Corps does deal in disaster relief.
Another thing to note is that the Peace Corps itself is not really a non-governmental organization. It is a quasi-public agency. It is administered as an autonomous agency, but is funded by the government and the Peace Corps director is named by the president and approved by the Senate (like a cabinet secretaries). As such, things like benefits, insurance, dealing with volunteers in dangerous situations, this is all taken care of by the government.
Friends of Guinea, on the other hand, IS an NGO because we are not affiliated officially with the Peace Corps. However, we act primarily as a support mechanism for volunteers (and their families). We do offer funding for volunteers' projects but we do not have members "in the field" as such, so we really don't face the issues Gail asked about.
That said, if you do find an aid workers' "trade association", I'd certainly be interested in information. Some of what they do might be useful and relevant to us.
Brian Farenell
Advocacy Director - Friends of Guinea |
kilian kleinschmidt
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 05:02 pm: | |
based on discussions with a number of people, my own experience and the problems faced by so many current and ex humanitarian workers i believe it is high time to have a non-corporative, independent international network which provides the right advice, support and possibly advocacy for all of us: administrative, legal, financial, medical etc. i have prepared a little concept paper for such an approach [syndicate.doc 25kb] - which i call "the aid workers syndicate" which can serve as a start for a brainstorming. it would need to have an independent member and service based financing and can be built in stages..... |
Friends of Tunisia
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 07:14 pm: | |
Friends of Tunisia is, like some of the other org's that have posted messages, a group of former (US) Peace Corps volunteers and also an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association in the US. Since the Peace Corps pulled out of Tunisia in '96 we occasionally provide financial support to needy Tunisians, but our contributions are quite modest and we don't operate any aid organization. |
Fons Vannieuwenhuyse
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 04:55 pm: | |
I'm not sure about Aid Workers Associations.
I know that some affiliates of PSI (Public Services International - one of the Global Union Federations, which group together national unions by sector or industry) represent some workers in this sector (i.e. at the ILO).
I hope this helps
Best regards,
Fons Vannieuwenhuyse
ICFTU |
Jenny McFadden
| | Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 01:55 pm: | |
Australian Volunteers International posts around 1000 Australian Volunteers in 45 countries. including Asia, Africa and the Pacific, we also send a small percentage of volunteers to remote regions of Australia, usually for one and two year placements.
Our Annual Report, which is available on our website, will provide you with further information. Other organisations similar to ours are linked to this website.
Generally, a staff member from Australian Volunteers International (Country Program Manager) will visit at least once during a two-year assignment period. Volunteers also have an opportunity to meet with staff and other Australian Volunteers during in-country meetings, normally held once during a two-year assignment. Staff are also in-country at other times fulfilling other responsibilities: investigating job placements or negotiating with government and other employers.
Contact with Australian Volunteers International normally takes place through the relevant country program manager. If he or she is unavailable, other staff from the regional program unit are available. Once the volunteers are in country the key relationship is between the employer and the volunteer with Australian Volunteers International providing support as appropriate.
Jenny McFadden
Australian Operations
Australian Volunteers International |
Vicky Tindal
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 06:41 pm: | |
I would recommend that you contact People in Aid whose mandate is to promote best practice in the management and support of aid personnel. They regularly run workshops and produce a newsletter. Contact details as follows:
People in Aid
Regent's Wharf
8, All Saints St
London N1 9RL
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)20 7520 2548
Email: info@peopleinaid.org
Website: www.peopleinaid.org
Hope this is useful,
With best wishes
Vicky Tindal
Resettlement Manager
Returned Volunteer Programmes - VSO
VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers |
Sharna
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 03:00 am: | |
Dear all,
I am intrigued by the possibilities here and would like to be involved in establishing some kind of Association (Australian Branch initially) that does look after the interests of aid workers in the field as a collective. This would obviously be quite an undertaking - many groups of aid workers, many issues, etc, to consider. However, I am envisaging a "one stop shop", membership based org, where people can ask those FAQ's and receive a standard answer & support.
I would think that, further to Alex's comments, an approach could be to proceed with Gail's suggestion, which would then create the support to lobby donor institutions/managing contractors for standards, etc.
Is anyone else interested in putting in some time to do the research and get it up and running?
Cheers,
Sharna |
Miro
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 09:03 pm: | |
Does anyone know if graduates sometimes pay to serve overseas. I'm looking ino this for some graduates and they've told me this is true. Miro |
Jamie Lee Fister
Member
Username: Jamie_fister
Post Number: 14
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 09:20 pm: | |
Hi Miro
I have seen some things that are what is called "working vacations" and things like that, where someone can pay an amount (mostly around 3,000 USD) to work as a "aid worker" for usually around 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer. I think many organizations have started to do this as a supplimnet to fund rasiing and possibly even as an alternative to fund raising. I hope this is what you were talking about. A quick search of the net will bring up many of these programs. Hope that helps. Jamie |
miro
Guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 01:21 am: | |
Thanks, Jamie.
It does. I find it interesting from an ethical standpoint. Is it truly aid work? Who can afford to do that? Does it exclude people with ability who can't make the financial cut? Or is it a useful tool to bring in new people while bringing in some dollars that can help? Cheers, miro |
Jamie Lee Fister
Member
Username: Jamie_fister
Post Number: 15
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 04:10 am: | |
>From what I have read about it, as I looked into a bit, there is fund raising for those that cannot afford it. Basically, what they do is fund raise on their own in the name of the organizations, and all funds raised will be used by the person for the program, meaning that organization applies the total amount to the cost of the program. As far as whether it is really aid work or not, it does seem to be, as they train them for a certain amount of time before going, at a loctation located usually in the country they are based in. I am not sure of the the exact type of work they do, but it seems to be a good way for someone to get an idea about what aid work is, and gain some experience. However, I would caution anyone interested in taking that route to completely research every angle of the program they are looking into, to make sure it is on the level, and does what they wish to do before jumping into it. I wish that I could point you to a program that does this but unfortuantely I do not remember any of the programs I researched, as it has been some time since I have looked into it. However, there is one that I looked into that is 14 months long, and has an intensive training program, and coast about 3,000 I think, for the entire time. If I can find that program again i will post the info on it for you. |
Graham Wood
Member
Username: Grw
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 03:10 pm: | |
Gail raises a very good issue and the replies suggest there are lots of ad hoc things but nothing specific. Given that NGOs often treat us badly, offer sometimes very short contracts and put us in places, at times, without any real support the time has come for a trades union- or at least an overall association for aid workers.
Perhaps this web site is an excellent place to host a first try at seing what kind of interest/commitment there may be |
Alpha Umaru Shaw
Guest
| | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 05:42 pm: | |
working in field you have to be patient and makesure you do the right thing and to protect yourself my experice sometime good/bad however it life of humanity most have to expect such in any activite you are takeing I want to belive like for use working as aid work mostly risk our life so most organsiation would look in to it considered the best salary or vacation pay for any participant taking the venture in life |
Alpha Umaru Shaw
Guest
| | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 05:46 pm: | |
working in field you have to be patient and makesure you do the right thing and to protect yourself my experice sometime good/bad however it life of humanity most have to expect such in any activite you are takeing I want to belive like for use working as aid work mostly risk our life so most organsiation would look in to it considered the best salary or vacation pay for any participant taking the venture in life |
Ekubolaje Judith Pratt
Guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 08:39 pm: | |
As a Aid worker you always think of the things going on in the world and lives of other people. Do these Aid workers get the praise and thanks that is due to them? Take for example my country Sierra Leone, what did the aid organisations do for those aid workers who didn't leave even though the rebels were going door to door killing, burning and cutting off hands. Through those tens years some of these aid workers saw worst things that will forever be a nightmare for them. Do they consel these people at the end of their jobs because I do not think these people do it for the sole purpose of the money. |
vikram singh rathore
Member
Username: Vikramrathore
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 03:46 pm: | |
APPEAL FOR SAVE HUMANITY AND CHILDHOOD
The parent who wants help for her child’s life.
The parent belong to a Hindu family was waited a child since last five years. God heard him pray in last year. They were very happy to looking after of him (KUSHAL, The name of their child) child till last one year.
One painful day when KUSHAL cried to pain and when KUSHAL carried out to doctor. It was a very painful day to humanity because KUSHAL have a hole in him heart. The parent is not able to provide the medicinal treatment to KUSHAL. The Doctors says to them that if KHUSHAL does not operated in four month he will die.
I Prays to all of those person who have some sympathy to Humanity and KHUSHAL please help them to save KUSHAL’s life
I am a social worker and also a friend of KHUSHAL’s Father. I am trying to last 2 month for any kind of support, which can provide to that parent.
Please help me in this mission.
Contact Key to support In this mission.
Vikram Singh Rathore
Village post :- Peril
Block :- Malpura
District :- Tonk
Rajasthan (INDIA)
Tel No :- 01437-228830, 225340
E-Mail Add:- vikky_parli@yahoo.com |
chenna
Guest
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 04:18 pm: | |
iam a social worker now iwant to establish a olda ge home for the olda age people please give me valuable sugestions for how to establish old ge home i am in need of suggestaions kindly help me.
adress.
chennakeshava
labour office
balasumudram
hanmkonda
warangal (dist)
andhrapradesh (state)
mobile:09849473503 |
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Living in the Field