This video looks at the role and importance of gender equality or GE in the development of co-ops in the Philippines; the challenges faced in advocating GE in the co-ops; and how women and men co-operators can benefit from and also do their role in GE-sensitive co-ops. The video is presented under the Project "Promoting Gender Equality Among Co-operatives in the Philippines," implemented by AWCF, with support from the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC). The Project is part of the "Advancing Civic Capacities for Effective and Sustainable Services to the Poor (ACCESS to the Poor)" Programme (2010-2012) in the Philippines, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Monday, September 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Experience of Ms Thali, exchange staff in AWCF-FK capacity-building project
In this video, Ms Natchamon Thali of the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), Thailand, shares her learning and experience from being an exchange staff assigned to the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines, in 2008-2009. Ms Thali was posted in NATCCO as a participant in phase 1 (2008-2009) of the "Capacity-Building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia" Project of AWCF and the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway. The Project's phase 4 is in late 2011.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Experience of Mr. Rada, exchange staff for AWCF-FK project in Asia
In this video, Mr. Say Rada of the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC) shares his learning and experience from being an exchange staff assigned to the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines, in 2008-2009. Mr. Rada was posted in NATCCO as a participant in phase 1 (2008-2009) of the "Capacity-Building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia" Project of AWCF and the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway. The Project's phase 4 is in late 2011.
What is the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF)?
This video talks about AWCF's origin, vision/mission/objectives, programs and activities, membership, and advocacies, as it works for gender equality and gender equity in and through co-ops in Asia.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Business Development Center for Co-ops: A Quick Look (subtitled in English)
This video version with narration in Tagalog (language of the Philippines) is subtitled in English subtitles. This video is produced by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) (Philippines) under the "Information Technology for Southeast Asian Co-operatives (it@coops) Project" (2004-2007), a joint project of the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) and InWEnt (Capacity Building International, Germany), with support from BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). The it@coops Project was implemented in three AWCF members: NATCCO, the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia), and the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT).
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
Business Development Center for Co-ops: A Quick Look
This video version is in Tagalog (language of the Philippines). Another video with English subtitles is also available on this channel. This video is produced by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) (Philippines) under the "Information Technology for Southeast Asian Co-operatives (it@coops) Project" (2004-2007), a joint project of the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) and InWEnt (Capacity Building International, Germany), with support from BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). The it@coops Project was implemented in three AWCF members: NATCCO, the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia), and the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT).
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
AWCF-FK exchange staff's experiences, so far-2010-2011
Being uprooted from one’s own homeland to live in another country (in Asia in this instance) and interact with people of another culture for 10 months can be quite a challenge. Seven co-op personnel are doing just that and facing the challenge from 2010 to 2011 as they participate in the third round of AWCF-Fredskorpset (FK) Norway’s “Capacity-building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia” Project. The Project started in 2008, where co-op personnel are deployed to AWCF member-organizations in Asia in a staff exchange activity designed to boost human resource capacity in co-op and gender development.
Of the seven participants in the third round, there are three Filipinos, two Thais, an Indonesian, and a Malaysian who are all demonstrating the reciprocal model of doing volunteer work while exchanging knowledge and skills through learning and teaching as part of their office and/or community activities. Here is a look at the AWCF-FK Project participants' major achievements, so far, for this period:
Ms Lilibeth Liguden—FORMASI Indonesia, Indonesia
Ms Lilibeth Liguden assigned to the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia)-Indonesia as Business Development Officer (BDO) initially learned about the programs and services of her host-organization through a meeting with her supervisor. To deepen her understanding of FORMASI Indonesia’s work and to facilitate the establishment of a business development center (BDC) for its business initiatives, Ms Liguden conducted exposure visits, attended co-op meetings and activities, accomplished a needs assessment, and facilitated a BDC orientation for 12 FORMASI Indonesia member-organizations and their partner-co-ops. She also studied Bahasa, Indonesia’s formal language, to facilitate her communication with the locals.
Ms Liguden also had the chance to share her knowledge and experience when she took part in a strategic planning workshop for 10 member-organizations of FORMASI Indonesia, which is a network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and co-ops. Ms Liguden further shared her particular expertise and experience on transformative leadership (TL), co-ops, facilitation skills, and biogas technology through activities she had conducted like a project proposal preparation training and TL training for the FORMASI Indonesia network.
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam, Communication Specialist assigned to AWCF Philippines office, learned about documentation, publications, and methodology on compiling documents by coming up with documentation/proceedings of AWCF-initiated meetings and training events that she had attended. Ms Pakialakshmi familiarized herself with the AWCF library’s catalog system and documents, and also visited different learning institutions and co-ops to study document inventory and cataloguing. Thus she provided herself with ideas in setting up a research and documentation center. She also helped AWCF in the preparation of a gender equality (GE) comic book.
In her reflection, Ms Pakialakshmi said that the exposure she had gained from these activities develop more her self-confidence, increased her gender-sensitivity, and improved her presentation skills through the use of audiovisual presentations and the Powerpoint software. She also attended learning classes for basic Tagalog language, which is spoken in her assigned location.
Ms Piranrut Thoykham—SEDOC, Cambodia
Ms Piranrut Thoykham deployed as Credit Union Promotion Specialist to the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC)-Cambodia, had familiarized herself with SEDOC and FK activities by attending a basic orientation on SEDOC, participating in the seventh sub-regional network meeting of FK, attending meetings with SEDOC’s international project partners, and conducting study visits to SEDOC’s partner credit unions (CUs). Ms Piranrut aimed at improving her relationship with SEDOC staff and also her communication skills by learning and conversing with them in Khmer and English. At times, she also taught them, in turn, the Thai language.
Ms Piranrut also taught the SEDOC staff some accounting systems and procedures; and how to promote, set up, and manage CUs using her learning and experience in the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), her homebase. She was instrumental in consolidating 50 savings groups under SEDOC’s supervision into 12 CUs, for a more efficient and effective delivery of SEDOC operations and services.
Mr. Somantri—CUPC, Malaysia
Meanwhile in Malaysia’s Credit Union Promotion Club (CUPC), exchange participant Mr. Somantri was deployed as Information Technology (IT) Specialist. He observed and studied the use and implementation of CUPC’s latest management information system (MIS) known as FMIS (financial management information system) software. He shared this knowledge with the CUPC staff. He also assisted them in recording the members’ data in the FMIS. Mr. Somantri likewise provided IT technical support to the staff of KKP (Koperasi Kredit Pekerja-Pekerja, one of the two organizations that form CUPC) through computer repair and maintenance (hardware); use of different computer software; and the revival and enhancement of KKP’s website. He regularly attended KKP’s weekly meetings to update himself of KKP activities while deepening his relationship with the other staff members.
Ms Janjila Nuansri—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Janjila Nuansri, assigned in AWCF Philippines office as Credit Union Promotion Officer, has really improved her English writing and conversational skills as manifested in her written reports and as attested to by her supervisors and peers. Ms Janjila’s visit to different primary co-ops in the northern and central areas of Luzon island in the country gave her learnings on co-op enterprises and business development. Her four-week visit each to two NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives)-affiliated primary co-ops exposed her to local culture; work experience with other co-ops; and an appreciation of Philippine co-ops’ branching operations or the co-ops’ ability to offer housing, co-op mart, hotel and training facilities, and other services other than what is usually offered by Thailand CUs, which are savings and credit operations.
Ms Janjila also kept herself busy by attending training conducts that enhanced her knowledge on gender, including gender equality (GE). Likewise, she improved her research and documentation skills through the reports and presentations she had done in relation to her FK tasks. She also assisted AWCF staff in preparing training materials and a GE comic book; and in designing covers for different project reports.
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas—CAEV, Vietnam
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas was deployed to CAEV (Center for Agricultural Extension Volunteers-Vietnam) as Project Development and Documentation Officer. Ms Llarenas was able to learn about CAEV’s operations, programs, and services through an initial orientation meeting with her supervisor. She followed up her orientation with exposure studies done in selected partner communities/pilot areas, and attendance in project meetings where she learned more about and observed CAEV’s program implementation. CAEV promotes improved agricultural development in Vietnam with assistance from expert technicians and community resource people, and also through the co-op model of poverty alleviation especially among agricultural communities.
Ms Llarenas attended classes on basic Vietnamese language, conducted a project proposal writing training for CAEV staff, and mentored CAEV staff on basic conversational English to further boost their use of this language.
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez—CULT, Thailand
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez was deployed as International Relations (IR) Officer to CULT. She increased her knowledge and perspective on CULT’s programs, services, and policies by attending CULT’s basic orientation. She participated in CULT’s numerous organizational activities, and visited different CUs to know more about CULT’s program implementation and also the relationship between CULT and the different CUs. She also attended a basic Thai language course to help her better communicate with her fellow staff, and also to help her increase appreciation of Thailand’s rich and colorful culture and people.
Ms Fernandez’s deployment in CULT also enabled her to conduct English writing courses for its IR department and other departments; enhance its lending brochures (English version); and assist in its media visits, press conferences, and on-air program.
Of the seven participants in the third round, there are three Filipinos, two Thais, an Indonesian, and a Malaysian who are all demonstrating the reciprocal model of doing volunteer work while exchanging knowledge and skills through learning and teaching as part of their office and/or community activities. Here is a look at the AWCF-FK Project participants' major achievements, so far, for this period:
Ms Lilibeth Liguden—FORMASI Indonesia, Indonesia
Ms Lilibeth Liguden assigned to the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia)-Indonesia as Business Development Officer (BDO) initially learned about the programs and services of her host-organization through a meeting with her supervisor. To deepen her understanding of FORMASI Indonesia’s work and to facilitate the establishment of a business development center (BDC) for its business initiatives, Ms Liguden conducted exposure visits, attended co-op meetings and activities, accomplished a needs assessment, and facilitated a BDC orientation for 12 FORMASI Indonesia member-organizations and their partner-co-ops. She also studied Bahasa, Indonesia’s formal language, to facilitate her communication with the locals.
Ms Liguden also had the chance to share her knowledge and experience when she took part in a strategic planning workshop for 10 member-organizations of FORMASI Indonesia, which is a network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and co-ops. Ms Liguden further shared her particular expertise and experience on transformative leadership (TL), co-ops, facilitation skills, and biogas technology through activities she had conducted like a project proposal preparation training and TL training for the FORMASI Indonesia network.
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam, Communication Specialist assigned to AWCF Philippines office, learned about documentation, publications, and methodology on compiling documents by coming up with documentation/proceedings of AWCF-initiated meetings and training events that she had attended. Ms Pakialakshmi familiarized herself with the AWCF library’s catalog system and documents, and also visited different learning institutions and co-ops to study document inventory and cataloguing. Thus she provided herself with ideas in setting up a research and documentation center. She also helped AWCF in the preparation of a gender equality (GE) comic book.
In her reflection, Ms Pakialakshmi said that the exposure she had gained from these activities develop more her self-confidence, increased her gender-sensitivity, and improved her presentation skills through the use of audiovisual presentations and the Powerpoint software. She also attended learning classes for basic Tagalog language, which is spoken in her assigned location.
Ms Piranrut Thoykham—SEDOC, Cambodia
Ms Piranrut Thoykham deployed as Credit Union Promotion Specialist to the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC)-Cambodia, had familiarized herself with SEDOC and FK activities by attending a basic orientation on SEDOC, participating in the seventh sub-regional network meeting of FK, attending meetings with SEDOC’s international project partners, and conducting study visits to SEDOC’s partner credit unions (CUs). Ms Piranrut aimed at improving her relationship with SEDOC staff and also her communication skills by learning and conversing with them in Khmer and English. At times, she also taught them, in turn, the Thai language.
Ms Piranrut also taught the SEDOC staff some accounting systems and procedures; and how to promote, set up, and manage CUs using her learning and experience in the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), her homebase. She was instrumental in consolidating 50 savings groups under SEDOC’s supervision into 12 CUs, for a more efficient and effective delivery of SEDOC operations and services.
Mr. Somantri—CUPC, Malaysia
Meanwhile in Malaysia’s Credit Union Promotion Club (CUPC), exchange participant Mr. Somantri was deployed as Information Technology (IT) Specialist. He observed and studied the use and implementation of CUPC’s latest management information system (MIS) known as FMIS (financial management information system) software. He shared this knowledge with the CUPC staff. He also assisted them in recording the members’ data in the FMIS. Mr. Somantri likewise provided IT technical support to the staff of KKP (Koperasi Kredit Pekerja-Pekerja, one of the two organizations that form CUPC) through computer repair and maintenance (hardware); use of different computer software; and the revival and enhancement of KKP’s website. He regularly attended KKP’s weekly meetings to update himself of KKP activities while deepening his relationship with the other staff members.
Ms Janjila Nuansri—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Janjila Nuansri, assigned in AWCF Philippines office as Credit Union Promotion Officer, has really improved her English writing and conversational skills as manifested in her written reports and as attested to by her supervisors and peers. Ms Janjila’s visit to different primary co-ops in the northern and central areas of Luzon island in the country gave her learnings on co-op enterprises and business development. Her four-week visit each to two NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives)-affiliated primary co-ops exposed her to local culture; work experience with other co-ops; and an appreciation of Philippine co-ops’ branching operations or the co-ops’ ability to offer housing, co-op mart, hotel and training facilities, and other services other than what is usually offered by Thailand CUs, which are savings and credit operations.
Ms Janjila also kept herself busy by attending training conducts that enhanced her knowledge on gender, including gender equality (GE). Likewise, she improved her research and documentation skills through the reports and presentations she had done in relation to her FK tasks. She also assisted AWCF staff in preparing training materials and a GE comic book; and in designing covers for different project reports.
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas—CAEV, Vietnam
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas was deployed to CAEV (Center for Agricultural Extension Volunteers-Vietnam) as Project Development and Documentation Officer. Ms Llarenas was able to learn about CAEV’s operations, programs, and services through an initial orientation meeting with her supervisor. She followed up her orientation with exposure studies done in selected partner communities/pilot areas, and attendance in project meetings where she learned more about and observed CAEV’s program implementation. CAEV promotes improved agricultural development in Vietnam with assistance from expert technicians and community resource people, and also through the co-op model of poverty alleviation especially among agricultural communities.
Ms Llarenas attended classes on basic Vietnamese language, conducted a project proposal writing training for CAEV staff, and mentored CAEV staff on basic conversational English to further boost their use of this language.
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez—CULT, Thailand
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez was deployed as International Relations (IR) Officer to CULT. She increased her knowledge and perspective on CULT’s programs, services, and policies by attending CULT’s basic orientation. She participated in CULT’s numerous organizational activities, and visited different CUs to know more about CULT’s program implementation and also the relationship between CULT and the different CUs. She also attended a basic Thai language course to help her better communicate with her fellow staff, and also to help her increase appreciation of Thailand’s rich and colorful culture and people.
Ms Fernandez’s deployment in CULT also enabled her to conduct English writing courses for its IR department and other departments; enhance its lending brochures (English version); and assist in its media visits, press conferences, and on-air program.
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