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The New ACORD
Moving from delivering
services to leveraging change
ACORD was established in 1976 as a
consortium of international agencies headquartered in the North to
provide its members with operational capacity to address poverty
issues resulting from the drought in sub-Saharan Africa. By 2001,
ACORD was implementing 45 long-term community-based development
programmes in 17 countries in Africa focusing primarily on poverty
alleviation. Throughout its history, it remained independent of
political or religious orientation.
ACORD has now refocused its vision,
profile and strategic orientation. Based on a joint analysis with its
partners of the issues and challenges that are currently facing
Africa, and backed by its reputation and experience for cutting edge
research and development practice, it is building its future as a
genuinely international Africa-led alliance of groups and individuals
addressing aspects of rights and social justice that underlie the
poverty of those on the fringes of African societies. ACORD now seeks
to go beyond addressing the consequences of poverty to understanding,
challenging and changing the conditions that cause poverty and
exclusion through a global programme that unites practical work with
advocacy. ACORD believes that people have a right to a just and equal
society, and it is committed to making that right a reality.
To enable ACORD to achieve its many new
objectives, it is currently restructuring its 45 separate
interventions in Africa into 10 -12 larger area programmes and five
cross cutting thematic programmes. It is also in the process of moving
its strategic leadership, identity and management from the UK to
Africa.
How we effect
social change
ACORD's methodological approach to
programming entitled 'Critical Enquiry, Analysis and Action' involves
joint analyses by ACORD and its partners of the context in which
participants co-exist, joint identification of critical areas for
change and joint setting of priorities for common action.
The five critical areas for change that
have been identified are:
- Strengthening civil society
- Creating the conditions for
resolving conflicts
- Overcoming gender and other forms of
discrimination
- Improving livelihoods
- Addressing the causes and
consequences of HIV/AIDS
The common actions aimed at effecting
these changes include:
- Research, action and reflection
- Support to local organisations/structures
- Mobilising resources
- Influencing relevant policies,
practices and attitudes
- Working in alliances with others
- Working across national boundaries
where appropriate
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