SDGI Makes Local Knowledge Count
Sustainable Development Group International - 19 Apr, 2010
‘The eight millennium development goal states that we must create and consolidate existing communication and co-operation frameworks for development. We urge more organization to act as facilitators via effective knowledge management programmes...’ says Fallckolm Cuenca who has been providing technical assistance to La Maison de la Gare (MDG) a local civil society group in St. Louis, Senegal since 2008.
‘We have identified vast gaps which can be adequately filled through effective knowledge brokering and communication. Many local programmes have useful knowledge for mapping needs and adequate legitimacy to effectively work with the communities towards durable solutions. However, we have also seen great dissonance between what is happening on the ground and high level developmental forums around the world. Many local organizations are working without significant knowledge about current international mechanisms. Facilitating the implementation of international conventions on a regional level by direct application to local programmes is equally important…’
‘We are proud to have been able to facilitate the link between Human Rights Watch (HRW) and MDG in St. Louis. It shows that development can be cost effective and that local initiatives do mirror global goals.’
‘We are therefore very happy to see that the development community and media has responded to the HRW Report titled ‘Off the Backs of the Children’ (click on the link to read the report). It is an important step as we feel that it is the first study which has brought attention to the plight of the children. Yet, we are utterly surprised that the issue is relatively unknown beyond Western Africa and the francophone world. It is alarmingly common and has been happening for years right in front of development agencies active in the region.’
In November of 2009 The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid reported on the situation of the Talibés. Ms. M’jid Maalla, a member of the Commission on the Rights of the Child of the Moroccan Consultative Council on Human Rights, and the founder of the non-governmental organization BAYTI, the first programme addressing the situation of children living in the street in Morocco, also expressed her concern over the lack of a cooperation and coordination mechanism amongst partners in development which could guarantee quality and protection of children in the long term, as well as the respect and promotion of their rights.
‘We hope that the HRW Report will open for greater cooperation and support of local initiatives such as MDG in St. Louis.’
If you want to know more please click on 'Talibé and Children Rights Senegal'.