Network News

VSF Europa update December 2006

This newsletter is also available as a PDF-file.

VSF-Europa Board members meet in Sicily

The latest VSF-Europa Board meeting was held on 23/24 November in Sicily, Italy attended by representatives from 5 member organisations. Thanks to VSF-E President and SIVtro member Alessandro Broglia for hosting a fruitful and enjoyable meeting on a very beautiful island.

VSF-Europa joint project funded!

Funding has been secured from the EC for a joint development education project involving 4 members of the network; VSF-France, VSF-Belgium, SIVtro and VETAID. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of challenges facing small-scale farmers in the South, global interdependence and the role that people in the North can play in reducing poverty and inequality. Southern staff and partners will be involved in the development of resources and exchange activities. Materials and project learning will be shared across the whole of the network. Unfortunately, funding for a general VSF-E coordinator has not been secured to date, but Tierärtze ohne Grenzen is working on the proposal and has agreed to look at other potential sources of funding.

Twiki in action

More and more members of the network are using the VSF-E interactive web-site (http://www.vsfe.org/twiki) which will enable member organisations to share useful knowledge and information. As the network grows in strength, the number of VSF-E activities is increasing. To assist in communication, a list of ongoing activities and contact information for those involved will be posted on the Twiki.

If you would like to register on the site, please contact your Head Office. For additional information on the TWiki, contact Levien van Zon, _wremoId0.

Code of Conduct

Groups of network members have been working together in recent months to draw up and agree on guidelines for working together and alongside one another in specific geographical areas. VSF Belgium, VSF-Switzerland, VETAID, TOG and VSF-Austria are signing a Code of Conduct for the East Africa Region and VSF-Belgium, VSF-Switzerland and AVSF-CICDA are working on a similar document for West Africa. It has been agreed that an additional collaboration agreement will be drawn up for all members, which will cover commitment to the network and general guidelines for activities in the North and in the field.

Vaccination for Africa Day

Three members of the network already hold an annual “Vaccination for Africa Day” when vets donate a proportion of their income from booster vaccinations to the VSF organisation. At the meeting in Sicily, experience from TOG was shared with other VSF-E organisations with a view to more members taking part in the 2007 Vaccination Day, to be held on 10th May 2007. A decision on how many members will participate in this common action day to raise funds and awareness will be made by the end of the year.

If you have any suggestions for or comments on this newsletter, please contact _wremoId1.