The crucial difference

MS helps aids victims and orphans in Mozambique. Photo: Adam Amsinck.

OF LATE, ”MAKE A DIFFERENCE”, has been the slogan used by MS (the Danish Association for International Co-operation) in pamphlets and newspaper advertisements.

That we make things happen and make a difference is nothing new. In its sixtyyear long history, MS has always made a difference:

Helping rebuild Europe, devastated by World War II; helping Hungarian refugees in the 1950s; in the wake of independence in several African nations, placing some 5000 volunteers and development workers in order to help improve the situation in developing countries since the 1960s; working with refugees and immigrants since the 1980s; establishing partnerships with hundreds of organizations in the poorest countries in the world since the 1990s.

Furthermore, throughout the existence of our association we have facilitated the possibility for young people to meet people from other cultures through our exchange programs.

Now we are making an even greater effort to acquaint people with our work. We wish to be more visible to the public, and we want to see to it that more and more people support our work – which is happening. 

The number of MS members increased considerably last year. At the end of 2004, we had 6,119 personal members, up 1,667 members from the year before. Add to this 85 institutional members, who represent a broad segment of the Danish population. Never before has MS had so many members. There are a lot of us now to make a difference.

The world needs that. This is why we, here at the beginning of the new millennium, have further expanded our vision and mission. To MS, the crucial difference is “A world in peace where cooperation among people promotes global justice and ensures improved conditions for poor and marginalized groups”. That is what we wrote in our 2004 vision.

We elaborate on the ”crucial difference” in our mission statement: MS gives those, who wish to take a joint responsibility for global and sustainable development, the possibility to act. 

MS works to promote understanding and dialogue between people. Together with our partners, we further public participation and democratization in the North and the South. MS works to ensure that the poor and marginalized can realize their vision of a dignified life.

These are big words and ideals that leave us with much work to do in an unfair world. In the following pages, we will show you examples of the diversity that can be found within the framework of MS.

MS's chairman Søren Hougaard. Photo: Jan Kjær.

40 million people live with hiv and aids. The aids disaster spreads desperation and devastation, making people even poorer. This is an immense challenge in development work. In Zimbabwe alone, one of the countries that are hit the hardest, MS works directly with six partners to fight aids.

In EU, each cow receives approximately 2 USD in daily agricultural subsidies. More than a billion people on this planet live on less. This is ludicrous. MS works both in the North and South to promote fair trade.

That billions of people lack access to food, health care, and education, is an infringement on human rights just as flagrant as limiting the freedom of speech and the right to vote. At MS we believe that democracy, human rights, and development are inextricably intertwined.

Our work is exemplified in three themes. Action that brings about change and creates opportunities for the poor and marginalized. Making a difference is always good. Making a difference together with others is even better. 

We welcome you to make that crucial difference together with MS.

Søren Hougaard
Chairman, MS, Danish Association for International Co-operation
Copenhagen, May 2005