DIPLOMATS BREAKFAST MEETING WITH LORD RICHARD NEWBY (CHAIR OF IDS)

On Monday 14^th November, I was kindly invited by Young Diplomats in London (YDL) and Diplomat Magazine to a breakfast meeting with Lord Richard Newby.

Lord Richard Newby, Chair of International Development through Sport (IDS) spoke about “harnessing the power of sport to change lives”. He was especially passionate about how sport empowers young girls in developing countries and how they are keen to develop that project in other countries. He mentioned the success of the Go Sisters Project in Zambia. For more information see the profile of IDS below and their webpage on the UK Sport International website. www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/ids/

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

The meeting ended with a Q and A session with Lord Newby on the topic he so eloquently spoke about. My question to him was specifically regarding the IDS strategy in ensuring sustainability of the IDS sports projects specifically to empower young girls when faced by patriarchal societies, this being my area of expertise.  I was intrigued with the IDS girl empowerement sports projects having myself worked in girls education programmes in developing countries for 10 years. Lord Newby responded by clarifying that the aim of IDS was to work with the relevant ministries, local government structures and local charities in the countries where they have programmes. This ensured a sense of ownership with the beneficiaries of the projects.

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

The Young Diplomats in London (YDS) exective team handed over a cheque to Lord Newby to support the work of IDS. The money had been raised in the summer at the Virgin Active triathlon that the YDS team had taken part in. On 30^th July 2011, the YDS took on the herculean task of doing the Virgin Active triathlon in London to raise money for IDS. They have done an incredible job so far and should be commended if you want to contribute and support YDL and IDS please go to their fundraising page http://www.justgiving.com/YDL

A member of the YDL committee from Greece took some group photos to finish off the auspicious breakfast event.

It was a lovely breakfast meeting hosted at the quaint Hyatt Regency hotel near Oxford street, central London. During the meeting we had sat down to a sumptuous breakfast of fresh bread, pastries, juices, cheese platter, various cold meats and followed by a delicious fruit salad.

After the meeting, I took to Oxford street for some much needed pre-Christmas retail therapy and started doing some impressive cardio looking for various bargains on the incredibly seasonal decorated famous Oxford street department stores. Watch out everyone the shoppers about!!

PROFILE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORTS (IDS)

Video: International inspiration in Mozambique (copyright UNICEF UK)

Harnessing the power of sport to change lives

IDS is an international development charity that harnesses the power of sport to transform the lives of some of the poorest children in the world by giving them the chance to play sport, develop their skills and confidence and live healthier, happier and safer lives.

Through sport we can identify and develop the young leaders of tomorrow, raise aspirations of girls, boys and children with disabilities, tackle daunting health challenges and build bridges in places scarred by conflict and natural disasters.

IDS works with local organisations in the developing world to support community-based projects that use sport as a means to:

·         Empower girls and children with disabilities

·         Develop young leaders and educators with sport and life skills

·         Deliver effective HIV/AIDS education and awareness

·         Offer disaster and trauma relief and rehabilitation

·         Assist with peace-building in communities affected by conflict.

IDS is UK Sport’s international charity. While UK Sport supports the administration of the charity, IDS is an independent UK-registered charity (reg. No 1001564).

Video: Colin Jackson visits International Inspiration (copyright UNICEF UK)

IDS Programmes

We specialise in assisting small grass roots organisations in developing countries.  It is our policy not to open our own offices in the field – instead we provide direct support to local organisations that are rooted in local communities and are driven by the needs of local people. IDS helps young people access sport and the benefits it brings.  All the projects that we support are driven by young people trained as youth peer leaders and educators. They cascade their skills and knowledge to thousands of children and youth in their schools and communities through a range of sporting and educational activities, which are devised and run by the young people themselves. This approach ensures that our programmes very cost effective, sustainable and have a lasting impact.

IDS is supporting a range of programmes in the Southern Africa region. They enable children from the world’s poorest communities to share in the experience of sport and leadership.

In South Africa, IDS, through the Big Lottery Fund, is supporting a five-year HIV/AIDS awareness through football programme to train 1,600 youth peer leaders and educators in sports, leadership skills and HIV/AIDS prevention. The programme will impact on a total of 19,600 children in 12 communities across three of the poorest provinces in South Africa.

In Zambia, the Go Sisters project, supported through the Department for International Development (DFID), reaches hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged girls and young women have had the opportunity to participate in physical activity, develop as leaders and role models, as well as arm themselves with vital life-saving HIV/AIDS and hygiene information.

In Zambia, IDS supports a sport and recreation programme that uses sport to rehabilitate girls and women engaged in the commercial sex, to break down stigma and to provide a platform for health education.

Video: International Inspiration in South Africa (copyright UNICEF UK)

East Africa

In Tanzania, IDS supports the National Sports Council to implement the Beckwith International Leadership Development (BILD) Programme. Four centres for leadership development have been established in Tanzania as part of a plan to build independent training capacity in Tanzania.

In Kenya, the Moving the Goalpost project in the Kilifi district uses football to help 3,000 underprivileged girls and young women to become peer and community leaders, to develop their life skills, to educate them about their reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and their rights and to empower them economically.

Research Projects

Presently, IDS is carrying out 2 long-term research projects to build robust evidence around the impact of sport in development and to understand the conditions required for sport to be an effective development intervention.

IDS programme participants say:

“Being involved with sport means I now have a lot of leadership skills, am self-confident, I can stand up in front of people and express myself. I can teach my peers too.” Florence Mwila, 20yrs, Go Sisters female peer leader.

“Sport gives us hope that we can always live up to expectations, achieve our dreams, goals and desires”, Michael Igbokoyi 17yrs, male peer leader.

THE YOUNG DIPLOMATS IN LONDON (YDL) VIRGIN ACTIVE LONDON TRIATHLON 30^TH JULY 2011 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR IDS

(copyright Young Diplomats in London)

YDL has identified International Development Through Sport (IDS) as its designated charity for all funds raised through the generous giving of the YDL members, family and friends of the participants in the London Triathlon.

This year YDL has had six members agree to participate in the 2011 London Triathlon at the Docklands on Saturday 30 July and raise money for the charity International Development Through Sport:  http://www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/ids/

The YDL London Triathlon Teams are:

Young Diplomats in London Team 1: Race Time: 14:45

 (Sprint Triathlon – 750m swim/20km bike ride/5km run) 

 Ian White (swim) - UK National Commission to UNESCO

 Philip Worley (cycle) - UK Trade and Investment

 Penny Papadopoulou (run) – Embassy of Greece

 Young Diplomats in London Team 2: Race Time 13:15

 (Olympic Triathlon – 1.5km swim/40km bike ride/10km run) 

 Mike Guy (swim) - The Bahamas High Commission

 Thomas Nemes (cycle) - Tetra Strategy

 Chris Ioannou (run) - Lloyds Banking Group

About Young Diplomats in London YDL  

YDL provides members with opportunities to network at our various events (working breakfasts, sporting activities, evening socials) but also with the opportunity to discover the City of London, and beyond, and make lifelong friendships.

Charitable giving is a core ideal of the YDL and last year managed to raise over £5,000 for different charities from events it organized.  For every paid event that YDL organizes there will be a designated charity that YDL will partner with, keeping up with a long tradition of community giving.

 YDL is about connecting people, in providing the opportunities for dialogue and exchange to occur and is not only for Diplomats, as our network includes members from all walks of life, from PR Professionals to Bankers, Lawyers, NGO Activists and many others, all of whom we are proud to call our friends.

To learn more about YDL please visit our website at: www.ydlondon.net or join our Group on Facebook.

BIOGRAPHY LORD RICHARD NEWBY (copyright www.parliament.gov.uk )

Video: Lord Newby giving career advice 

Lords career

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for: Trade and Industry 1998-2000, The Treasury 1998-2010

All party groups (office-holding)

Vice-chair Social Enterprises Group 2003-; Treasurer Design and Innovation Group 2005-; Vice-chair Business, Finance and Accountacy Group 2006-; Treasurer: Insolvency Group 2009-, Corporate Responsibility Group 2009-; Secretary Statistics Group 2009-

Party groups

Deputy Chair, Liberal Democrat General Election Team 1995-97; Liberal Democrat Campaigns and Communications Committee 1995-2006; Chief of Staff to Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrats 1999-2006

Political interests

Europe, regional development

Countries of interest

Eastern Caribbean, Pakistan, South Africa

Name, style and title

Raised to the peerage as Baron Newby, of Rothwell in the County of West Yorkshire 1997

Directorships

1.     Chairman, Live Consulting Ltd (acts as consultant and project manager in field of corporate social responsibility)

2.    Chairman, Live Sport CIC (acts as project manager for education programmes in UK and internationally which use sport as a catalyst for education and personal development)

Non Financial Interests

1.     Trustee, North West University UK Trust (the University is in South Africa)

2.    Trustee, Coltstaple Trust

3.    Trustee, IDS (International Development through Sport) UK

4.    Chair, Sport at The Prince's Trust

5.    Chair, IDS (International Development through Sport)

6.    Member, NCVO Advisory Council

7.    Member, Advisory Board, CentreForum

8.    Director, Sport for Life Inc (Barbados)

9.    Director, Sport for Life Trinidad and Tobago

10.  Director, Sport for Life St Vincent and the Grenadines

11.  Trustee, Sport for Life Pakistan (programme for children and young people that combines education and sport; all Sport for Life entities are not-for-profit companies or trusts)

(Lord Newby Bio copyright www.parliament.gov.uk )

KATHYRN HENDLEY (DEPUTY DIRECTOR) RECEIVES AWARD ON BEHALF OF DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE 19 AUG 2011

DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE (DEC) RECEIVES AWARD ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY UK 19^TH AUGUST 2011

On the 19th August every year OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) commemorates World Humanitarian Day. World Humanitarian Day is a day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It marks the day on which the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.

World Humanitarian day Videos [copyright OCHA]

Universal Elite, a non-profit social enterprise (managed by the Talent Guru) organised a UK commemoration of World Humanitarian Day on the 19^th August on the Kings Road in Chelsea, London. As a response to all the humanitarian tragedies that had occurred globally for the last couple of years. In recognition of the hard work and success of the UK fundraising efforts of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we invited them to receive a  special recognition award. The DEC was represented by Deputy Director Kathyrn Hendley who received the award from the chair of the London Diplomatic Association.

The Disasters Emergency Committee unites the 14 leading UK aid agencies in their efforts to finance relief for people suffering major disasters in poorer countries. For the current humanitarian appeals go to http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/east-africa-crisis-appeal See more details about the DEC below.

[from L to R] Diplomat from H.C of Brunei Darussalam, Mr W.P. London Diplomatic Assoc, Kathyrn Hendley (Deputy Director, DEC)

 World Humanitairan Day Special Recogition Award to the DEC

 Chat show host Sporah Njau on the red carpet of World Humanitarian Day awards in London 19 August 2011

To donate to the East African Appeal now go to http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/east-africa-crisis-appeal

  

East African Crisis Appeal Video

PROFILE OF THE DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

MEMBER CHARITIES

The Disasters Emergency Committee is made up of 14 member agencies which provide aid after a disaster in one of the world's poorer countries. They are the leading UK humanitarian charities that fulfil our membership criteria. Member Charities

1.     ActionAid

2.    Age UK

3.    British Red Cross

4.    CAFOD

5.    CARE International UK

6.    Christian Aid

7.    Concern Worldwide

8.    Islamic Relief

9.    Merlin

10.  Oxfam

11.  Plan UK

12.  Save the Children

13.  Tearfund

14.  World Vision

 

ABOUT DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE (DEC)

The Disasters Emergency Committee unites the 14 leading UK aid agencies in their efforts to finance relief for people suffering major disasters in poorer countries.

They ensure donors’ funds deliver effective and timely relief for people in need during emergencies around the world.

They also strive to improve standards in the delivery of humanitarian aid, the raising of funds via the public and the monitoring of our operations to ensure money is spent in an effective and fully accountable way.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and support from our media and corporate partners, They have raised more than £750 million since our launch in 1963 which has helped save lives and rebuild communities devastated by disasters.

They simply could not carry on working to help people affected by major disasters without your support.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organisation for up to 15 humanitarian aid agencies that unites aid efforts in times of disaster - such as flood, earthquake or famine – in poorer countries around the world.
Our member agencies are the UK’s leading experts in providing and delivering aid and they also have the profiles to ensure successful national appeals. 

The DEC is managed by a board of trustees which comprises the chief executive of each member agency plus up to six independent trustees, including a chair and an honorary treasurer.

The DEC secretariat is the staff team charged by the trustees to carry out the day-to-day running of the organisation.
Our running costs are met by subscriptions from our member agencies, as Theyll as funds from other sources, and not by donations to DEC appeals.

They have a small, permanent staff - usually around 10 people - and a band of dedicated volunteers.
The way They approach our work is to maximise funds for those most in need and ensure they are spent in an effective and fully accountable way.

HOW THEY WORK

As the DEC is unable to respond to all the crises and emergencies that occur regularly throughout the world, its members have to be confident when an appeal is launched that they can make a difference and spend public donations effectively.

Appeals are therefore reserved for major disasters and emergencies that cannot be dealt with by the usual coping mechanisms within affected countries and where DEC member agencies are in a position to respond quickly and effectively.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) draws on many years of experience to plan and deliver each appeal, striving to ensure that the relevant support reaches  the people who need it as quickly as possible.

Member agencies share vital information in the period leading up to an appeal launch which enables the DEC Secretariat and Trustees to assess the gravity of the disaster or emergency, and the probable level and effectiveness of any collective response.

The DEC Secretariat ensures information-sharing and joint monitoring of “at-risk” countries, enabling members to benefit from each other’s knowledge and to better prepare to help people.

During an appeal, the DEC carefully coordinates and facilitates communications to ensure the public receives clear, consistent messages in order to achieve widespread publicity and generate maximum income from donors.

TO ENSURE QUALITY

The members  are experts in humanitarian aid who can deliver the effective disaster responses which donors expect and those affected by disasters need.
They are committed to delivering humanitarian aid in accordance with international standards.
They recognise hoTheyver that improvement is always possible and They challenge ourselves to continually develop our ways of working using the DEC Accountability Framework (DECAF).
The framework encompasses a number of activities designed to promote best practice, learning and accountability.
These include a system of regular appeal reports, independent evaluations, collective initiatives and annual assessments of agencies’ internal systems for ensuring quality across their work.
The DEC regularly publishes these evaluations as part of our commitment to transparency.

DEC ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
Appeal reporting Members’ plans for the use of DEC funds are scrutinised and progress against them is monitored. Summaries are shared with the public. Annual Assessments Members’ self- assess against the DEC’s Accountability Priorities. External validation and peer challenge holds members to their improvement commitments. External Evaluation DEC-funded disaster responses are subject to external evaluation. At least a third of agencies are independently evaluated for each appeal. The DEC and its members regularly publish evaluations. Learning activities They employ various methods to identify and disseminate learning to our members, including early ‘real time evaluations’ of responses which inform agencies’ later programming
ACCOUNTABILITY PRIORITIES ·         They use their resources efficiently and effectively. ·         They achieve intended programme objectives in accordance with agreed humanitarian standards, principles and behaviours. ·         They are accountable to disaster-affected populations. ·         They learn from our experience, taking our learning from one emergency to the next.

HOW THEY SPEND YOUR MONEY

They ensure at least 50 per cent of appeal funds forwarded to our member agencies go on supplies and materials, although the figure is typically more than 60 per cent.
The remainder pays for aid support, including  employing staff who may organise food distributions in Pakistan or run medical programmes to prevent children dying of cholera in Haiti. Support costs can also include transport and monitoring the effectiveness of aid programmes.

EFFECTIVE RESPONSES

With the DEC’s Pakistan Appeal following monsoon rains in the country in 2010, 60 per cent of funds raised Theyre spent on supplies and materials, including tarpaulins for use as temporary shelters, blankets, cooking utensils and food, after 12 million people saw floods destroy or damage their homes.
The DEC secretariat is alloTheyd a maximum expenditure of five per cent of appeal funds, but typically spends about three per cent, contributing the remainder to our members’ relief efforts.
Member agencies may take seven per cent of funds raised for their own management support costs in the UK or overseas to ensure that responses are Theyll-run and effective.
They detail the proportion spend on different types of aid in the Expenditure by Sector of Activity sections of our annual reports.

RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK

The DEC calls upon the Rapid Response Network (RRN) when a disaster occurs to raise funds quickly and effectively.
The RRN is made up of broadcasters in television and radio (the BBC and commercial channels), banks, the Post Office, BT, regional and national press and a range of corporate sector organisations that work together with the DEC to achieve maximum publicity and provide cost-effective ways for the public to make donations.

TELEVISION

The BBC, which has supported the DEC for more than 40 years, produces an appeal package for tv under its public service broadcasting commitments, which is presented by a celebrity in at least one prime-time slot after a news broadcast.  All broadcast appeals must conform to the BBC’s Editorial Policy and Guidelines, and to the BBC’s obligations under its Royal Charter and Agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (the ‘Charter and Agreement). The BBC Theybsite also links to the DEC’s site.
The Independent Television Network (ITN), which has also supported the DEC for more than 40 years, helps produce an appeal package at no charge which is presented by a celebrity using a prime-time slot on ITV and shares this package with a number of networks including Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera English and S4C.  All broadcast appeals must conform to the Ofcom’s Editorial Policy and Guidelines.
It is for the broadcasters to decide whether or not to carry any particular appeal.

RADIO

BBC Radio also produces an appeal broadcast to coincide with the televised version.
The Radio Centre produces appeals of different lengths and ensures that independent radio stations around the country are equipped to broadcast the emergency alert with appeal donation details.

BANKS

The British Bankers Association has an agreement with high-street banks and shares resources so donors can give money over the counter to DEC appeals and processes donations.
The Co-operative Bank acts as a lead bank for the appeal, providing a central deposit account for appeal funds.

BT

BT provides a mechanism for enabling Theybsite donations and a phone line network for credit and debit card donations.

The Post Office and Royal Mail

Royal Mail provides a PO Box address so postal donations can be routed quickly to the DEC.
The Post Office provides over-the-counter donation facilities.

Their  trustees warmly acknowledge and thank the following organisations which supply services at appeal times:
The BBC, ITN, ITV Network Centre, Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio, RadioCentre, Independent Radio News, British Bankers Association, British Telcommunications Plc, Ogilvy, Royal Mail, Post Office Counters, Alliance & Leicester, Vodafone, RBS Worldpay, MIG and Open Market.
If you think your company or organisation could offer assistance or support to the DEC, please contact the DEC secretariat at info@dec.org.uk

OCHA (OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS)

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. Our very own Baroness Valerie Amos is the Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator (USG/ERC) is responsible for the oversight of all emergencies requiring United Nations humanitarian assistance. She also acts as the central focal point for governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental relief activities.  http://www.unocha.org/

 

Baroness Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator (USG/ERC)