| REDUCING POVERTY in the world’s poorest countries
fundamentally
depends on a substantial effort from the
countries themselves, especially in implementing serious
and long-lasting social, fiscal and monetary policy reforms
needed to improve economic performance, including efforts
to reduce corruption while capitalizing on competitive
advantages. Unfortunately, countries often lack the capacity
and the political will to implement needed reforms or to
make the best possible use of their resources. In order to assist in poverty
reduction efforts, it is essential that the international community makes a
concerted effort to assist countries to develop and enhance their institutional
capacity. Capacity building encompasses enhancing one country’s use of its
human, scientific, technological, organizational, and institutional and
resource capabilities.
Salesian Missions’ Office for International Programs (SMOIP) asserts that
by strengthening the organizational capacity of local NGOs (non-governmental organizations) it is
concomitantly enhancing the capacity of civil society to influence the decisions and actions affecting
the countries’ economic development processes.
• The Salesians are educators with 5,000 schools in 131 countries. Thirty-two (32) of the schools are universities. Many of these provide training to indigenous NGOs through capacity building programs. SMOIP has a history of capacity building in Central America through institutional development, human resource development and the enabling environment. |
A fundamental goal of SMOIP capacity building program is to develop or enhance the ability of local indigenous
NGOs to evaluate and address crucial questions relating to policy choices and modes of
implementation based on an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the people concerned
(the stakeholders). The NGO sector can and should play an important role in this poverty alleviation effort.
SMOIP can work with interested organizations in developing
university-based, demand-driven “certificate” programs (credit
and non-credit) in capacity building to strengthen organizational
and technical capacity of local-indigenous NGOs to (a) improve the
quality of development services provided; and (b) engage in advocacy
for key policy and/or program reforms. This type of proactive
participatory program is tailored to and based on the needs of local indigenous
NGOs. As a result, NGOs are able to enhance their
capacity to deliver timely and effective services to their constituents
at the community level, and to influence reforms that will
enhance the enabling environment.
SMOIP has on-going alliances and partnerships with associations
of NGOs in the pursuit of its agenda of capacity building,
human resource development and education.
|
