The vision still remains: “better conditions for the poor and marginalized”

MS Denmark’s Board recommended affiliation with Action Aid International (AAI) long before the members in Denmark voted for it. MS Denmark’s Chairperson Trine Pertou Mach explains why.

How will MS benefit from being a member of AAI?
First of all, we become part of a large, international network, which empowers poor people to participate in the development of their own countries. Secondly, together with AAI we become a significant global player when it comes to lobbying for and influencing international development policies. So far, MS has been far too small to participate on the global level.

AAI is substantially bigger than MS. Do you understand that some people are scared that MS will lose its identity?
MS becomes a member of an international, democratic structure. It does not get swallowed by AAI. Financially, MS contributes significantly to AAI, and in real political terms, this means that MS has guaranteed influence.

The goal of AAI is to localize decision making, and to transfer power to the developing countries they work in. Does this go hand-in-hand with the ambitions of MS?
Yes, and this is precisely what is so great about AAI. MS can only agree about power sharing and decentralization. It is in line with our original vision of global equity and improved conditions for poor and marginalized people. AAI’s organizational structure goes hand-in-hand perfectly with our vision.

MS has recently changed its focus to democracy. Will this and the five subthemes remain within AAI?
Democracy is there to stay. It is in line with one of AAI’s six themes: The right to just and democratic governance; and MS aims to become AAI’s lead agency on this theme. Global issues like trade are also a part of AAI’s focus.

Will MS continue its personnel programme?
The existing Development Worker Programme will change. Instead we will get a new “People4Change” programme which encourages more South-South collaboration than the previous programme. But the principles remain the same. It is people who create development.

MS has a history of avoiding ethnic favouritism. Will this policy continue with AAI?
AAI has clear principles about the organisational structure of the local AAI programme and how to make it broad-based and inclusive. I find this extremely important, and the best guarantee to avoid being dominated by special groups or interests.

The interview was originally printed in Magasinet Indflydelse No.2/2008. Shortened and translated by Vibeke Quaade, Information Officer MS Uganda. Email: info.msuga@ms.or.ug