Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!
11 September 2019
Post No. 108
The Week’s Contents
• Summer 2019 Reports
• Back-to-the Upkeep of the Nature with the Protection of the Oceans
• Coming in Autumn 2019: The 65th Issue of FACS Newsletter, Autumn 2019 Issue
… and much more!
Key Messages
~ Summer 2019 Reports
Last week, we started to unlock or unpack our Summer holiday data and to prepare to tell our Summer holiday stories. This week, we are going further in putting into practice our unlocked or unpacked data in support of Summer experiences or stories.
From this week until Friday the 20th of September 2019, we are simply asking those who can to share with us and others their Summer experiences; experiences about what they did during the Summer break and think that it is useful for sharing.
For further details on the kinds of experiences or stories you can share or give, please read under the Main Developments section of this post.
~ Back-to-the Upkeep of the Nature with the Protection of the Oceans
This September, we are taking up again our work on the upkeep of the nature with the protection of the oceans. We are doing it before our “a la une” (Autumn Leaves of Action for the Upkeep of the Nature in Existence) campaign gets running in full swing this Autumn.
Under the Main Developments section of this post, we have provided further information about this week’s thematic working areas regarding the Protection of the Oceans.
~ FACS Newsletter, Autumn Issue, No. 65
The Autumn Issue for our bilingual newsletter FACS will be entitled as follows
“Development of micro-industrial activities by Africa-based organisations to integrate voluntary economy into the regional value chains”
We have chosen this topic because the issue of industrial policies has resurfaced in Africa since African countries had experienced high growth rates with the bonanza from the sale of raw material and primary commodities in the last 10 years.
Indeed, high growth rates with high prices of oil, gas and minerals from extractive industries did not translate in high rates of poverty reduction in Africa. With low direct dividend transfers from the revenues of these minerals to everybody have meant that poverty is still a challenging issue in Africa. The commodity bonanza is still failing to lift many out of poverty.
The 65th Issue of FACS will look at the extent to which the development of micro-industrial policies and activities by voluntary Africa-based organisations as well as the integration of the voluntary economy into regional value chains can provide a further avenue for poverty reduction.
Our focus will be on poverty reduction (mostly in our areas of intervention) in Africa with Africa-based Sister Organisations.
We have provided an abstract about this Issue and the kinds of contents that will make it, under the Main Developments section of this post.
For further details about the Issue, contact CENFACS.
Extra Messages
~ 2019 September Advice service continues…
as planned for both UK and Africa projects. We have provided below basic activities making the contents of advice services. While this Advice-giving support is running, we are conducting Summer 2019 Reports as well.
The following are the areas covered by CENFACS‘ September 2019 Advice-giving Activities.
⇒ Areas of Advice for Individuals we cover
We can provide advisory support on a wide range of issues which includes:
post-regional economic integration and economic transition skills, financial literacy and information, consumption and buying information, conversion of technical skills, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS awareness, education and training, educational development of children, cultural barriers, knowledge and respect of the British rule of law, opportunities for enterprises and credit access, social integration and behaviour, self-help development projects, etc.
⇒ Areas of Advice for Organisations we cover
We can provide advisory support on the following areas:
project planning and development, investment in capacity building and development, resource mobilisation for African Sister Organisations for the Post-REI (Regional Economic Integration) times, sources of international fundraising, climate finance and digital finance, online fundraising strategies, etc.
You can request advice online by just filling an advice form at www.cenfacs.org.uk/services-activities and by posting it to CENFACS and CENFACS will get back to you.
~ Virtual Open Day and Hours (VODHs): How They Work
Our Virtual Open Day, which is every Fridays of September 2019, is held from 10 am to 2 pm.
You can access VOHs by contacting CENFACS.
You do not need to register with us.
Every Fridays, you can either email or phone or even text between 10 am and 2 pm.
~ Back-to-school poverty
Back-to-school poverty is what we are trying to help reduce or eradicate within our back-to-relief programme this Autumn. We are discussing it while carrying on back-to-relief programme. Our discussion revolves around the following matters: back-to-school challenge, poverty and support.
⇒ Back-to-school time as a challenging period for a basic human right and a deserving cause
For some, back-to-school is a normal time to prepare and do normal purchase whether is for school uniforms or books or even any other school items. However, for those who are struggling to make ends meet, back-to-school time could a very challenging moment as they may not always have enough financial resources or support to cope with the requirements of the start of the new school year. Yet, education is a basic human right and a deserving need for children and the all society. Some of those parents and families who do not have enough for their children can find themselves in a back-to-school poverty with them.
⇒ Back-to-school poverty
This is the inability to afford the educational requirements of the start of the new school year. It is the inability for parents and carers to meet the basic life-sustaining needs of education for their children in terms of purchasing school items (such as uniforms, clothes, books, etc.). This incapacity can include other expenses that compete against or with educational materials; expenses that are school fees, living expenses to start a new school year, transport cost to travel to schools, food, a place to study at home, family relocation, etc. There could be support for some of the vital needs to be met; just as there is no support for others.
⇒ Back-to-school support at CENFACS
Any type of poverty needs response. As far as CENFACS is concerned, we can support those falling into back-to-school poverty trap by providing advice through our advisory package under the back-to-relief programme. This package includes activities such as advice, advocacy, information, guidance, signposting, etc.
Our support can be accessed physically on a one to one basis or as a group, over phone, via e-mail and by filing the comment box on our website saying the type of support you need.
To seek advice or support regarding your back-to-school poverty or hardships, please contact CENFACS.
Main Developments
• Abstract for the 65th Issue of FACS
The title of the 65th Issue of FACS will be:
“Development of micro-industrial activities by Africa-based organisations to integrate voluntary economy into the regional value chains”
The abstract for the 65th Issue is as follows.
There are many ways of reducing poverty. In this Issue, we will be approaching the question of poverty reduction through the angle of realistic and applicable micro-industrial policies and activities at the level of Africa-based organisations, particularly those from the voluntary sector or economy.
Micro-industrial activities are activities carried out at the micro level to promote industrial efficiency and competitiveness, regeneration, expansion and the creation of opportunities in employment. Micro-industrial development requires minimal investments and appropriate technologies while valuing local skills and knowledge.
Micro-industrial activities can include the following: micro-processing and manufacturing initiatives, metal-crafts, tools and equipment fabrication needed in farming, agriculture and others areas.
These activities could create local employment and wealth accessible by everybody including the poor people, although there are limits to their extension. They can provide output or affordable produce for poor households; produce like processed and dried food and fruits, basic tools, small crafts, restored and recycled items etc.
In the context of this Issue, these activities are carried out at the level of Africa-based organisations to bring change to the reduction in poverty. Proactively developing these activities to integrate the voluntary economy or sector into the regional development (such as regional value chains) can bring change for poverty reduction.
The 65th Issue will look at industrial policies and activities from the angle of the voluntary economy (or charitable perspective) in integrating this economy into regional value chains.
Micro-industrial policies and activities are not treated for the sake of their own, but in the view or for the purpose of achieving tangible outcomes and goals in terms of the reduction or end of poverty.
The Issue will focus on Africa-based organisations from the voluntary and community sector engaged in industrial activities while serving as a pilot project or example for those wishing to engage in.
A case will be made if there is or not any relationship between the three elements in the fight against poverty and hardships: industrial activity, voluntary economy and regional value chains.
The 65th Issue will engage poverty relief supporters and readers with the following contents:
Micro-industrial development and its impacts on poverty reduction in Africa; Identification of micro-industrial activities of Africa-based organisations; Relations between (if any) micro-industrial activities and the voluntary economy; The capacity of the voluntary economy through its powers and limitations to integrate regional value chains; Relationships between the voluntary economy and regional value chains; reduction of the weakness of industrial fabric to help reduce poverty in Africa; The weight of the voluntary economy in the process of its integration into the regional value chains, Skills for micro-industrial development and integration; Industrial skills auditing; an example of micro-industrial and ecological project that addresses both integration of voluntary economy into regional value chains while helping to reduce poverty, etc.
The above engaging contents will help to shade some lights about the 65th Issue while leading Africa-based organisations in a new path to address the question of poverty and hardships by bringing into play the three developments or forces: micro-industrial development, the voluntary economy and regional development.
To reserve a copy or to get further details about the Issue no. 65, please contact CENFACS.
• Summer 2019 Reporting In Your Own Words and Numbers
The 2019 Summer Reporting activity is a further experience of reporting, sharing, learning and development opportunity for those who have not yet informed us about the outcomes of projects pending for reporting, personal experiences to be shared, lessons to learn and development trends to spot.
~ Giving Development Experiences, Stories & Reports about Summer 2019
As we are nearly reaching the end of Summer 2019, we would like our users and supporters as well as those who sympathise with CENFACS’ cause to share with us and others their experiences, stories and reports about the following.
⇒ Run, Play and Vote projects
You can feedback the outcomes or Action-Results of your Run, Play and Vote projects if you ran for poverty relief during Summer 2019 (or organised a Run activity/event), played the CENFACS League For Poverty Relief and or have already voted your 2019 African and International Poverty Relief Manager.
⇒ Volunteering and Creation Stories
You can also share your volunteering stories with us and others if you did volunteer during the Summer break. Likewise, if you had any creation adventure you can tell us about it.
⇒ Summer programmes: Happiness and Appeal projects
Summer programmes are another area of feedback. You may prefer to report on your use of Happiness projects and your response to our Humanitarian Relief Appeal during Summer 2019. If this is the case, then report your experiences on these areas.
⇒ Other Experiences and Stories Reporting
Additionally, you can report or feedback on any moving experience or transformative story you have had during Summer 2019; experience or story you think may be of help to us and others.
For example: if you did Trending in Poverty Reduction (i.e. following the direction of poverty reduction) through Clothes with us or alone, you can report this as well.
Finally, as we are in CENFACS’ “Quadranscentennial” Year, we would be more than happier to hear any stories related to this year’s dedication.
You can report your experience via e-mail, over phone and through social media networks or channels of communication (e.g Twitter).
Using less papers but e-mails or even online technologies when responding to us is in line with our sustainability policy and practice on saving the environment, which is part of our Environment and Conservation activity.
Thank you for supporting us with your Summer 2019 experience, story and report In Your Own Words and Numbers.
• Back-to-the Upkeep of the Nature with the Protection of the Oceans
We have scheduled three thematic working areas around the theme of the protection of oceans, which are as follows: the impacts of ocean acidification on poverty reduction, ocean health and technology sharing between Africa and the rest of the world, and the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and coastal areas around Africa.
Although the ocean acidification is a global issue, we will limit ourselves in our work on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean and Red seas. The following islands will come into play in our upkeep of the nature: Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Comoros, Cap Verde and Canary Islands.
~ Week beginning 09/09/2019: The Impacts of ocean acidification on poverty reduction
As said above the first working area will be about the impacts of ocean acidification on poverty reduction. In this first working area we will consider two points as follows: an understanding of acidification and the study of its impacts on poverty reduction.
⇒ Understanding acidification
The UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme (1) argues that “ocean acidification is used to describe the ongoing decrease in ocean potential hydrogen caused by human carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions such as the burning of fossil fuels”.
As many research works suggest ocean acidification can have serious impacts on the ocean chemistry. This can lead to other effects. As we are concerned here with its impacts on poverty reduction, our focus will be on its effects on poverty reduction.
⇒ Impacts of ocean acidification on poverty reduction
Without entering the technical jargon of ocean chemistry, let simply refer to what many studies argue about ocean acidification. They argue that ocean acidification can affect the food supply by affecting fish, particularly small creatures like shellfish, coral and other organisms. It can affect as well health through toxic species which can end up in the food chain. It can further threaten the fishing job on which the livelihoods of poor people depend upon. Land ecosystems can as well be disrupted with the decline of fish population.
Oceans are scientifically known as the biggest carbon sink in the world. If this carbon sink is adversely affected by continuing climate change, this can enormously affect the poorest regions of the world making the reduction in poverty the ongoing challenge of our time. So, to keep track on the reduction in poverty, there is a need to reduce ocean acidification.
For any enquiry about this first note of the work on the protection of the oceans or to add your input, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.
(1) www.oceanacidification.org.uk
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Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.
Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.
We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2019.
With many thanks.
