Learning is for Life, only the educated are truly free
So says a poster as you walk through the doors to Commonwealth of Learning - the intergovernmental organization created to improve access to quality education across the developing world - and the location of my SSIM placement this summer.
Already at the half-way stage of what has been a memorable summer on the west coast of Canada, I can only be thankful for everything that has come my way. From the very first day at Commonwealth of Learning (COL) I knew I’d found the perfect fit. Studying international development and practicing it is defeinitely not the same thing, but in COL I’ve come to an intergovernmental organization with international reach – an organization dedicated to improving quality access to education and sustaining livelihoods across the developing world. This kind of opportunity just doesn’t open up to undergraduates so there’s no denying how fortunate I am to be involved in a current project in Tanzania.
Over the last month, i've been finding my feet, in the placement and pretty literally. It's really inspring to work with specialists who have 20, 30 and even 40 years experiance in development, it really is a case of learning from the best. Whilst at the weekends it's been amazing to explore the backcountry here in British Columbia, even if I have got pretty lost. Well you're not really lost if you don't where you're going so it's all good!
Plenty has happened in my placement already, it's actually amazing to think that the team here, hailing from everywhere from Botswana to the Seychelles numbers a little over 30 in size but somehow works their time and resources to help empower the citizens of the 53 countries of the commonwealth. Last month it was a pleasure to meet Canada's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Rob Nicholoson and Minister for National Revenue, Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay as they came to reinforce Canada's commitment to preventing early and forced marriage among teenage girls in the developing world.
If there's one thing I have taken away from the placement already its that there is no unique formula for development, aid is not a long-term solution by any means and that is where I feel Social Enterprise has a big role to play. Teaching people financial literacy and how to run their own small enterprises may be just the start but it's defintely one I look forward to being a part of.
My mini-project in Tanzania kicks off tomorrow so hopefully I can get round to blogging much more frequently and filling in all the gaps over the last month or so!
