Symposium

MSTCDC has Jointly organised a Symposium with DENIVA (Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations)- Uganda, which will take place on 28th and 29th November 2005, at MSTCDC, Arusha Tanzania.

The core theme of the symposium is the future role of NGO's in the face of fast changing political, economic, enviromental and social development landscape. The symposium therefore aims to provide NGO's an opportunity to collectively reflect on their current roles within this context and identify implications for their future roles. It will also be a forum to challenge the source of their Inspiration and motivation to work as development agencies.

This theme is very timely as many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are in a state of political, economic, social and cultural flux while the role and relevance of NGO's in this context is increasingly being called into question. In an increasingly globalised world, the roles of the state and markets are being clearly defined, thanks to the Bretton Woods Institutions while NGO's are fast being squeezed out of development equation. This symposium should trigger exciting debates on these issues and hopefully assist NGO's to clearly define their niche in the 21st Century development context.

Themes:

For the purpose of this symposium three main themes have been identified: NGO Ideology, NGO roles and NGO relationships. Participants will critically examine the relationships between these themes as well as the factors that have in the past shaped (or will continue to shape) these relationships.

Participants:

The symposium will bring together a wide range of Development practitioners the majority of whom will be drawn form the NGO/CSO sector. Those attending the symposium will include CBOs, NGOs, INGO's, Development Partners and representatives from Government, bilateral/multilateral agencies and the corporate sector. MS as the hosting agency will be represented by MS country office staff as well as the staff of MS-TCDC.