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Nawa 5 |
Jul 30 2001 |
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NEW MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER
 On 12 July 2001, the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Richard Kamwi, and the Chargé d`Affaires of the U.S. Embassy of Namibia, Thurmond Borden, officiated at the opening of a new Multi Purpose Center at Kuisebmund in the coastal city of Walvis Bay. |
| The Municipality of Walvis Bay, the regional authorities (Erongo Region), and the national government (primarily through the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Basic Education, Sports, and Culture) recognized the necessity of bringing the entire community together to meet the needs of both in- and out-of-school youth, to promote literacy, and to combat the threat of the HIV-AIDS epidemic. They formed a broadly-based coalition to establish a center to provide needed services and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. In addition to local, regional, and national government representation, this coalition includes churches, the business community, and schools. The U.S. Government, through a unique combined inter-agency effort has provided the following: funding of the erection of the building by the United States Department of Defense on land donated by the municipality; USAID, working through its partner, Family Health International, has been instrumental in the start-up of activities at the center; and Peace Corps will assist in providing a volunteer to work with youth programs. Prominent participating NGOs include Walvis Bay Paralegal and Catholic AIDS Action. With a 28 percent HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women, Walvis Bay is the third most affected city in Namibia. The Center, since it opened its doors on May 1, has already commenced its program at full force, focusing on information, education, and communication about the nature of the disease; pre- and post-test counseling; condom distribution; and support groups for those infected and their relatives. The MPC`s Steering Committee, chaired by Mayor Theresia Samaria, is developing income generating projects and seeking to secure local funding sources so that the community can assume full financial responsibility for the MPC over time.The facility is a resource for the entire community and for all types of activities. This will ensure high utilization of the facility and facilitate the open integration of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS into the community. |
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CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED
 On June 21, 2001, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Mosé Tjitendero, the U.S. Chargé d`Affaires, Thurmond Borden, and Theunis Keulder, Director of the Namibia Institute of Democracy (NID), presided over the launch of a co-operative agreement between NID and USAID for a Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) to be implemented over the next two years. The aim of the CSDP is to contribute to the strengthening of civil society and its linkages with the authorities in Namibia, by expanding the number of well-managed, financially viable Namibian civil society organizations able to conduct effective advocacy programs at national and local levels. This goal will be pursued through a combination of grants and training in advocacy skills and NGO management offered to national and local level civic groups led by historically disadvantaged Namibians. |
 To fulfill the overall objectives of this program, proposals for advocacy activities will be sought that demonstrate a strong commitment to extending and strengthening human rights, enhancing good governance, and empowering the disadvantaged by giving them more control over their lives. This last category will include advocacy activities to improve the business environment, facilitate reform in the education sector, and further the aims of the community-based natural resource management movement. Proposals that result in the forging of strong links to regional and local level government structures, as well as to parliamentary outreach programs and activities, or address issues being debated by Parliament, will receive special consideration. The NID believes that, due to the openness of the Namibian government, there are many opportunities for the citizenry to give input to public policy-making through systematic and peaceful interaction with the authorities and that there is particular need for supporting civic groups prepared to interact with government on policy issues and policy implementation. |
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