Action for Global South

ACTION FOR GLOBAL SOUTH

globalnepoludnie.pl

The programme’s aim is to conduct activities for providing all societies with fair and equal conditions for development in a spirit of responsibility towards other people and environment. In order to implement this aim, we try to present Poles with credible information and initiate a public debate on global relations between less and more developed countries. We are convinced that fair relations between the world of the rich and the world of the poor can be shaped not only by impersonal politics but also by active citizens – from rich as well as poor countries. When speaking about the path to global justice and welfare, we also appeal for a wise use of environmental resources that enable development.

Main directions of our activities:

monitoring of the effectiveness of the Polish development aid;
We have cooperated for three years now with such organisations as Polish Humanitarian Organisation, Institute of Global Responsibility and Zagranica Group, calling for establishing an effective aid system in Poland and for adjusting the Polish aid in such a way that it contributes more to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in the regions that are still losing their fight with poverty. We have co-authored three independent reports on the Polish development aid. We speak about the problem of the underdeveloped Polish development aid policy, as we believe that Poland, whose stable economic growth has been possible thanks to the past and current (EU funds) support of more affluent countries, should be capable of showing true global solidarity.

cooperation for development of rural areas in Ghana;
In 2006 we initiated cooperation with one of the largest African NGOs – FOE Ghana – in order to support the development of local rural communities in South-Eastern Ghana. Our systematic cooperation brings tangible results, e.g.: a newly-constructed primary school, repaired wells, newly-established pineapple plantations or apiaries. There are also two women’s associations in the region, initiated by PGN, that produce traditional textile goods from batik. Work at the Ghanaian countryside completely changed our understanding of poverty and reinforced our conviction that unless all of us enjoy equal development opportunities, we cannot speak about a fair world.

FOR THE CLIMATE – AGAINST POVERTY – a campaign on the impact of climate change on the countries of the Global South;
In 2008, in cooperation with Oxfam International, we initiated a campaign showing the dramatic effects of climate change in the countries of the Global South. Climate change has a “human face,” which we tend to forget about in Poland when discussing about responsibility for emissions and funds that would enable poorer countries to adapt to the new, unforeseeable conditions. Climate change is one of the strongest barriers to poverty eradication, as it leads to a collapse of agriculture, sudden floods or droughts or limited access to water. We are one of the first to speak about this problem in Poland. We provide credible information on the situation of more vulnerable countries, invite to Poland “climate witnesses” and cooperate with the Polish media.

information campaign on the food sovereignty of African countries;
In 2009, in cooperation with the Polish Ecological Club and the French Committee for International Solidarity, we have started a campaign for food sovereignty of African countries.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty we organise a cyclical educational and musical event called A NIGHT FOR AFRICA. This is an opportunity to discuss the ways in which Poland can contribute to a more effective fight with poverty and to express solidarity with the poorest by participating in the concerts of invited stars. In 2009 the event was honoured with the performance of the legends of Polish alternative music – Robert Brylewski and Paweł Kelner.

Since 2006 we have been running a thematic portal globalnepoludnie.pl. This is our tool for contacting the world, for providing information on the most important national and international events related to development issues or on initiatives of the NGO sector. We hope that it also inspires its reader to greater involvement.

Strategic partners:

Friends of the Earth Ghana

Oxfam International (Oxfam Germany, Oxfam France)

French Committee for International Solidarity

Zagranica Group

We also cooperate with the Czech and Slovak platform of aid organisations and participate in advocate activities of the European platform CONCORD.

Programme’s leader: Aleksandra Antonowicz ola@globalnepoludnie.pl