Claver's sea of opinions » social change

Global south Dilemma in international Decision making.

peterclaver — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:51:19 +0000

As the long awaited COP 15 comes even closer and closer,it gets more and more clear to the interested social groups and individuals who have been following some of the build up events,meetings to this Global decisive conference that a good deal will not be reached.
It is a Globally binding agreement as many put it.Legally or politically binding,that i for the different parties involved to debate..won’t give you my take on that now.It is the dilemma which the developing countries are faced in the choice they make that is catching my attention today.
For sure Denmark is indeed trying to get every one involved.But what is in this package for every one?
A raw deal for the global south…and the governments are aware.But what will be done? This is tight spot and the center of Dilemma.
If the developing countries boycott,them History has them as contributors to Global backsliding.And Even then,what good do the citizens of these nations gain from the boycott,apart from exclusion from other Global Climate related developments? This is when i also think left about Globalization.
Anyhow,does this then leave the Global south no choice but to succumb to a raw deal?
This twists my mind into the notion of a “United states of Africa” by Muammar al-Gaddafi http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/4436541/Muammar-Gaddafi-vows-to-create-United-States-of-Africa.html
Could this help? No concrete answer from me but am starting to think its a good idea in the long run looking at Global change with a vision to start with Africa.That is if i don’t dispute Globalization any more.
What is your view?

Climate debt campaign…Big up!!

peterclaver — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:55:15 +0000

This Friday my class had a Skype lecture with Tom Sharman the Climate change specialist in Action aid who is currently in Bangkok on last chance talks before an expected year –end global deal in Copenhagen. Just like many other analysts, he indicated to us that it was not going to be easy for the COP15 to yield concrete solution to the Climate situation because of the dynamics involved which even includes different stands and interests of the EU, US and some developing countries not forgetting the pressure of Denmark to have it successfully done.

In this same class we have been working tirelessly in designing a campaign with focus on ‘Climate debt’. Together with some classmates we have debated and agued about the focus of our campaign focus since some felt that this was not the main issue at the COP15 which is mainly working along Carbon emissions and payment as the agenda. Further still, that little or nothing is coming out clearly on the Climate dept payment. The COP15 will surely come up with figures for financing towards mitigation by reducing the carbon emissions but for the developing countries that have already been hit hard and have passed this stage, there certainly is need for adaptation financing now.
Sharman says that a country such as Bangkok for example, should demand for what it feels as needed regardless of what is available from the expected financing for climate change. He cited out that countries have different requirements for mitigation and adaptation.

Just like Sharman thinks developing counties should set high targets for their Climate financing requirements, I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues and classmates to this good news that in fact our campaign on Climate debt is relevant, unique and it sets our target high because of its nature. Many are not saying a word about it remember?

facilitation for social change

peterclaver — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:51:05 +0000

Creating social change involves many aspects which can be touched upon.They include creating awareness,developing particular skills as well as transformation of some attitudes.The above can be attained through some form of education and training administered both at individual and social levels.This requires guidance by an instructor called a facilitator.
As a facilitator for a workshop or training,You might require some skills at hand however, some tools are essential to get the job done.Here are some tools which MS denmark students aquired for a full day on 28.09.09.
1.Brainstorming in which ideas are developed and shared.It could be done by chatwritting,free writing,use of post-its and association.I reccomend the use of post its and free writing from my experiance that day for purposes of time saving and reduced workload for the facilitator.
2.Action planning which is very essential for providing a clear sence of direction towards achieving a change.It involves maximum usage of 1 above and it highlights the vision,objectives,target group to work with or upon,and the ovwerall startegies to achieve the objectives.With further btainstorming, the group under tarining can then come up with more concrete activities and strategies..these should be more achievable and time bound.

As a new organiser starting to get involved in facilitating workshops for social change,it is very important that the above tools are used.
This however requires practice and personal wisdom for good results.
You can try it at home..