Great Lakes: Bulletin February nº 84
- Detalles
- Categoría: Actualidad en inglés
- Publicado el Sábado, 18 Febrero 2012 15:43
Editorial
The past year has been marked by important internal developments within EurAc. First, there was an evaluation of EurAc that raised important questions regarding our functioning and impact.
In September during a workshop for all members, a new 3-year strategic plan was drawn up on three themes: democratisation, security, and natural resources. These plans were presented to the General Assembly in November in London where they were unanimously endorsed. During the same period we undertook an organisational analysis. The resulting document covered the international context, NGO's in Europe, the main points of the evaluation, a SWOT analysis of EurAc, the wishes of members and the consequences for the organisation of the network. The main conclusion was that we had to do more with less and that there was therefore a need for stronger participation and input from members. For each theme a working group made up of members is to be established. The analysis was approved by the GA in November, after which the board discussed what could be an appropriate organisational set up. It was decided to abolish the post of director, to retain the full time post of policy officer and to keep the current communication officer in post. A decision on the eventual recruitment of a coordinator was postponed for May..The present team consists of Donatella Rostagno, as policy officer, and Joseph Ntamahungiro, as communication officer. Aymar Nyenyezi has joined the team for an internship of six months. Unfortunately we have had to terminate the contract with the director, Kris Berwouts with effect from 31 January 2012. He will still be engaged in drafting a report on the state of democratisation in the Great Lakes region which will be presented at a public event in May of this year. Kris has been working for EurAc as director for the past five years. He has made an enormous effort to strengthen this network. Under his leadership EurAc has become recognised as a key network for advocacy on the Great Lakes. A reception will be organised to give everybody involved with Eurac the opportunity to say farewell to Kris as director of Eurac. Although we regret the departure of Kris, we are confident that with the current team and the new structure Eurac will continue to flourish. Apart from the secretariat, there have also been changes to the board. Shuna Keen who has been a member of the board for a long time and president from May 2009 until 31 December 2011, has been replaced by Joost van Puijenbroek of IKV Pax Christi who was the vice president for the past year. He has been replaced a vice-president by Isabelle Manimben of CCFD.
The board feels confident that, thanks to the contribution of all its members, EurAc will continue to fulfil its mission. The current situation in the Great Lakes needs more than ever before a strong network of European NGO's taking a joint stance on the vital issues of peace, security and democratisation in the Great Lakes region.
Joost van Puijenbroeck, President of the Board of EurAc
Isabelle Manimben, Vice President of the Board of EurAc