People for change: direct contacts of solidarity

MS ActionAid Denmark emphasizes the value of direct contacts of solidarity – in the form of inspirators, advisors and global volunteers – in creating a better and more just world.

Inspiring people to act themselves

Face-to-face encounters in the people for change regime offer globalised young and elderly people alternative opportunities to act out their commitment to global issues. Moreover, face-to-face encounters include various types of internship and study stay opportunities. Finally, face-to-face encounters offer postings for professional advisers abroad as a key ingredient in our development work.

The posting and exchange of people in development is not confined to people from rich countries going south, but criss-crosses the globe. We are increasingly recruiting people from other developing countries. In all cases, the direct contact between people builds upon a personal commitment as well as a shared responsibility for solving global problems.

We do not facilitate these contacts just to satisfy a wish for adventure, curiosity or personal careers, but to promote the goals and values for which we work. The direct face-to-face encounter is intended to strengthen the popular organisations’ work and help build alliances and networks. We wish to facilitate cooperation across social, cultural and national borders, in which people in rich and poor countries alike act together to bring about social change. We believe in global citizenship, working together to create a better and more just world.

Fundamentally, development is about seeking challenges in cooperating with others and in meeting new ideas and inspiration. It is about expanding one’s horizon and knowledge through dialogue and joint reflection to strengthen creativity and innovative thinking. It is about creating a mutual cultural encounter of solidarity on equal terms that is characterised by understanding and respect for other cultures, as well as by awareness of our own background and values.

MS facilitates the exchange and posting of people in the following categories:

Inspirators
Inspirators are cross national placements of development practitioners, who possess relevant experience and knowledge to empower and share experiences with local partner organisations within our focus areas. Inspirator placements are between 3 to 9 months and focus on the practical development activities carried out by our partner organisations.

Advisors
Advisors are specialised professionals, who possess special competencies, experience and knowledge to advise and empower our partner organisations and to strengthen the country programmes.

Interns and young professionals
This personnel category aims at enabling young Danes in particular to get experience of working in developing countries, while making a contribution within our focus areas. This category has not been developed yet.

Global volunteers
Young and adult people who wish to act out their global commitment on a voluntary basis, making a difference as part of an international movement, while broadening their contacts and friendships.

Other types of exchange
We also provide opportunities for various types of study stay arrangements and exchange programmes.