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MS Uganda Newsletter March 2009 - Editorial
It began in 2005, when Action Aid International initially approached MS to ask if the organisation was interested in the possibility of an association and later, affiliation with Action Aid International.
Before the YES
Since then, both organisations followed various steps to find out whether it would indeed, be a good idea to merge. In September 2007, the MS General Assembly in Denmark decided to go ahead with an exploration process to assess the pros and cons of MS joining ActionAid International. During the exploration process, it was easily established that the vision, mission and values of the two organisations were very similar. Both organisations work for a more just and fair world order, and to improve conditions for poor and marginalized people. At the programme level, it was also easy to see entry-points for MS’s various democratisation components within the ActionAid International set-up. By May 2008, the Board of MS Denmark was convinced. It recommended unanimously, that the up-coming General Assembly should seek association with Action Aid International. I participated in the General Assembly held from September 13th – 14th in Copenhagen. And even though the discussions for and against an association weren’t easy, the final vote was a sounding “YES” to the association.
ActionAid International has programmes in 51 countries. MS works in 9 countries and 2 regions. In the future MS becomes part of a wide, global network. Like MS, not everything in ActionAid is completely perfect; it is an organisation which is in the process of establishing itself as a network structure with independent national organizations. But the fact that ActionAid is still a young organisation, means that MS has the opportunity to influence its strategic direction.
International lobby
Naturally, the merger is a decision and a process with sentiments of sorrow and nostalgia for many of us, since MS Uganda will cease to exist as a country office of its own, but personally, I believe that - in the long run - it is for the better.
There a many good reasons to affiliate with ActionAid Internationally. It is an organisation in the process of establishing itself as a strong global network engaged in political lobbying on the international level. MS has never been politically strong on the international front – thus, not able to address international structural causes to poverty - but I believe this will change with MS as an associate of ActionAid International.
Localize decision making
The nationalisation process which ActionAid is in the midst of, is another good reason for endorsing the merger. The organisational structure of ActionAid International has changed during the past few years. Deliberate efforts are being made to localize decision making powers, so that much more power will be transferred to the South. For instance, ActionAid Uganda will in 2009, most likely become an affiliate of ActionAid International. This means ActionAid Uganda will become an independent Ugandan NGO with its own governance structure and elected Board and decision-making powers, which I personally see as a positive development.
Lead agency
It is only one year ago that MS Uganda began the implementation of its Country Programme Strategy 2008-11, focusing on democracy and good governance. But even though we merge with ActionAid, this strategy will be fulfilled and the partnership agreement honoured as long as all parties are satisfied with each others’ work. In Denmark, MS will continue its democracy focus. As a matter of fact, MS aims to become the lead agency for democracy and governance within the ActionAid International membership.
Harmonising the efforts
I am certain that the merger between MS and ActionAid is for the better. As civil society, we are not always coordinating our efforts with like-minded organisation, even though we know that it would be an advantage to do so. But at the moment, deliberate actions are being taken to do so, for example, Save the Children has undergone a unification process since 2000. Since the Paris Declaration was signed in 2005, the Development Partners – the donors – have also been in a process of aligning their assistance to the strategies of the governments they collaborate with, as well as with each other.
It is in the context of our own merger, but also in the light of the Paris Declaration and the various alignment processes which are occurring in international aid and development assistance that this issue of the MS Uganda Newsletter focuses on harmonising developments efforts.
More Power to the South
In November 2008, MS (Danish Association for International Cooperation) and Action Aid International signed an association agreement. The agreement was the outcome of a long process.
By Mads Benedictus Jørgensen, Director MS Uganda10 March 2009
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Mads Benedictus Jørgensen, Director MS Uganda
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Before the YES
Since then, both organisations followed various steps to find out whether it would indeed, be a good idea to merge. In September 2007, the MS General Assembly in Denmark decided to go ahead with an exploration process to assess the pros and cons of MS joining ActionAid International. During the exploration process, it was easily established that the vision, mission and values of the two organisations were very similar. Both organisations work for a more just and fair world order, and to improve conditions for poor and marginalized people. At the programme level, it was also easy to see entry-points for MS’s various democratisation components within the ActionAid International set-up. By May 2008, the Board of MS Denmark was convinced. It recommended unanimously, that the up-coming General Assembly should seek association with Action Aid International. I participated in the General Assembly held from September 13th – 14th in Copenhagen. And even though the discussions for and against an association weren’t easy, the final vote was a sounding “YES” to the association.
ActionAid International has programmes in 51 countries. MS works in 9 countries and 2 regions. In the future MS becomes part of a wide, global network. Like MS, not everything in ActionAid is completely perfect; it is an organisation which is in the process of establishing itself as a network structure with independent national organizations. But the fact that ActionAid is still a young organisation, means that MS has the opportunity to influence its strategic direction.
International lobby
Naturally, the merger is a decision and a process with sentiments of sorrow and nostalgia for many of us, since MS Uganda will cease to exist as a country office of its own, but personally, I believe that - in the long run - it is for the better.
There a many good reasons to affiliate with ActionAid Internationally. It is an organisation in the process of establishing itself as a strong global network engaged in political lobbying on the international level. MS has never been politically strong on the international front – thus, not able to address international structural causes to poverty - but I believe this will change with MS as an associate of ActionAid International.
Localize decision making
The nationalisation process which ActionAid is in the midst of, is another good reason for endorsing the merger. The organisational structure of ActionAid International has changed during the past few years. Deliberate efforts are being made to localize decision making powers, so that much more power will be transferred to the South. For instance, ActionAid Uganda will in 2009, most likely become an affiliate of ActionAid International. This means ActionAid Uganda will become an independent Ugandan NGO with its own governance structure and elected Board and decision-making powers, which I personally see as a positive development.
Lead agency
It is only one year ago that MS Uganda began the implementation of its Country Programme Strategy 2008-11, focusing on democracy and good governance. But even though we merge with ActionAid, this strategy will be fulfilled and the partnership agreement honoured as long as all parties are satisfied with each others’ work. In Denmark, MS will continue its democracy focus. As a matter of fact, MS aims to become the lead agency for democracy and governance within the ActionAid International membership.
Harmonising the efforts
I am certain that the merger between MS and ActionAid is for the better. As civil society, we are not always coordinating our efforts with like-minded organisation, even though we know that it would be an advantage to do so. But at the moment, deliberate actions are being taken to do so, for example, Save the Children has undergone a unification process since 2000. Since the Paris Declaration was signed in 2005, the Development Partners – the donors – have also been in a process of aligning their assistance to the strategies of the governments they collaborate with, as well as with each other.
It is in the context of our own merger, but also in the light of the Paris Declaration and the various alignment processes which are occurring in international aid and development assistance that this issue of the MS Uganda Newsletter focuses on harmonising developments efforts.
