We must use our best bricks

In April, Vera Mugittu went to Copenhagen as one of MS Tanzania’s representatives to discuss the potential affiliation process between ActionAid International (AAI) and MS. She shares her impressions of the process here.

Vera Mugittu has been the Chair Woman of MS Tanzania’s Policy Advisory Council for about one year. She works for MUVEK Ltd. as a development consultant.

In all of MS' country programmes, mutual visits have been carried out and reports have been made concerning the potential affiliation between ActionAid International and MS. In Denmark, the issue was discussed with the members of MS in April. MS board members have visited AAI in Nepal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Brazil, England and the international secretariat in South Africa. The directors of MS’ secretariat in Copenhagen have also visited different functions of the international secretariat.

The final decision to be made by MS members at the annual general assembly in September is approaching.

Vera states that, whatever people might think of the process, it seems to be a matter of perspective: ‘Some have good experiences and some are worried. I was happy for the opportunity to sit with people from MS in Denmark and other Policy Advisory Chairs (PAC) and learned why this is so important to MS in Denmark.’

Vera explains that the whole idea behind international affiliation is MS’ attempt to face the challenges of globalisation. MS believes it can do so by joining an international network and giving more concrete influence to stakeholders in the South.

‘And I understand their grounds because I also share their fears on the future of MS without the international affiliation. But why ActionAid? And how can we find the best way to identify and address our fears around such an affiliation? It was a relief to learn that AAI is still an ‘unfinished structure’ which MS can influence. The house is - so to speak - still under construction, so we can actually influence its final look and not just fit in.’

Vera is also concerned that the concept of MS might be diluted and that the partnership model will not last. She therefore calls for substantial attention to every fear felt in each country, especially those of partners and staff: ‘Nothing should be taken for granted.’

'We must use our best bricks', Vera emphasises.

It is no secret that the process has been criticised, at least on informal levels within MS, for not being particularly democratic, making it appear that the decision to affiliate has already been made. For example, the PACs are only advisory, with no vote in the final decision. Vera mentions that inconsistent sharing of information creates unnecessary fears and doubts, and this must change. All stakeholders must be properly informed of the processes and get a chance to contribute.    

‘I will not invest in criticising the decision to affiliate, but focus ahead and make sure that we actually make the best of it’. This is why Vera spoke in the meeting in Denmark for a country-specific approach: ‘The process of building a new structure must be made by us here on the ground, not by some people in Denmark or South Africa. We, as MS Tanzania, must identify our best bricks and use them to make the new structure sustainable. Therefore, if the affiliation does turn out to be a fact in September, the partners of MS Tanzania have a strong role to play in this process’, Vera concludes.