Arthur E. Shears's Blog, page 6

Arthur on CBC’s Information Morning

CBC Radio’s Information Morning Cape Breton helps listeners better understand and explore the challenges in our island’s future, remember their past and celebrate their neighbours’ accomplishments.

Arthur Shears had a 9-minute slot on the show on Thursday, March 23, 2022 where he described his new book “Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between”.

Listen to the clip here.

FOCUS on Catalyste+

Catalyste + (Formerly the Canadian Executive Service Overseas – CESO)

The Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) was a registered national and international development charity that started in 1967 and provided services for more than five decades. On December 1, 2022—CESO announced the evolution of its brand and the organization’s new name—Catalyste+.

https://www.catalysteplus.org/media-and-news/ceso-becomes-catalyste-plus/

Catalyste+ advisors are Canadian senior-level professionals with extensive expertise from both the private and public sectors. Leveraging an average of 20 years of experience, advisors provide mentorship and advisory services to Catalyste+ partners and clients through a sequence of short-term, strategic assignments.

Unlike other Canadian volunteer agencies such as CUSO and WUSC which traditionally placed individuals on longer 1- or 2-year assignments, CESO now Catalyste +, offers an opportunity to volunteer for a much shorter period.

For example, in-person international assignments typically last from two to four weeks. In-person assignments in Canada typically last from two days to two weeks. Virtual assignments vary from one to two months depending on the program and assignment type. There are some exceptions for mentoring assignments, which could last up to a year with a few site visits.

Another difference is that Catalyst+ attracts and places older and more experienced individuals.

Eligibility Requirements

Typically, a minimum of 15 years working experience is required, with at least ten years of experience in the field or with a role that an advisor is looking to support. In select cases, we work with advisors with less experience, provided they have the right mix of knowledge and expertise to suit the Catalyste+ partner’s needs. Advisors must be:

A resident or citizen of Canada, under the age of 79. The prospective Advisor must be under the age of 78 at the time of application.Covered under a Canadian provincial health program.Native or fully professional in either English or French.

Focus Areas

Catalyste+ focuses its work in areas and industries that drive inclusive growth and sustainable development as shown below. It draws on the depth and breadth of experience offered by Catalyste+ advisors to build capacity with businesses, governments and community organizations in Canada and in 30 countries around the world.

AgribusinessEnvironment and Climate ActionGender EqualityGovernanceMicro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Value ChainsNatural Resources ManagementTourism and Hospitality

Industry Sectors

Catalyste+ advisors offer expertise spanning a variety of other industry sectors and functional disciplines that benefit businesses, governments, and community organizations.

Arts, Recreation and CultureBusiness Support ServicesEconomic Development, Microfinance and FinanceEducational ServicesFood and Beverage ProductionHealth, Nutrition and Social ServicesInformation and Communications Technology (ICT)ManufacturingWholesale and Retail Trade

Other important information

The Catalyst+ website contains all the information you need to explore this option for volunteer development work in Canada and in countries abroad.

https://www.catalysteplus.org/volunteer-with-us/#advisor-journey

In reviewing the website, I particularly appreciated the step-by-step instructions on how to explore the option of becoming an advisor/volunteer, and the clear application process itself.

If you fit the eligibility requirements, match one of its focus areas, are in good health and have the urge to apply your skills in a new and productive way, why not check out Catalyste+.

Inspirational Video for International Women’s Day, March 8

May I share with you this video “Nkwazi Zazikazi” produced in Malawi by our UNESCO project, STEP, a few years ago. It starts with a local poet and soon breaks into a reggae song sung by local artist Sangie. Both Robert and Sangie were hired by our project to be youth ambassadors and promote different employment options for women. English sub-titles are provided.

The web link below takes you to the STEP Malawi website that has lots of audiovisual resources. Scroll to the bottom to find Nkwazi Zazikazi.

ENJOY.

RESOURCES

Overseas Adventures – Online book launch, Saturday, February 25, 2023

My friends at Write Here Write Now (WHWN) at Bishops University in Quebec organized the book launch this past Saturday. It lasted an hour plus but was so much fun. I was able to bring a variety of hats (yes – real hats), scarves and other knickknacks to add some visual accents to my readings from half a dozen chapters of my memoir. It started with my favorite line and the first line in the book – “Are you a spy?” and continued with additional sections from Ghana, Guyana, and others.

February 25, 2023 book online launch

During the Q&A, I made a reference to AMAZON where my book is now available in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and other countries. That is also where you can leave a rating once you have read the book.

The video of the book launch is available above. ENJOY!

Focus on Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

VSO is a British based charity which I first came across in the early 1970s in Nigeria. I was the only Canadian volunteer in my part of the Western Region of Nigeria, the two volunteers in the community some 15 kilometers away were VSOs. One of them, David Shaw, became a good friend and travel companion over the year we worked in close vicinity. Christine, the other VSO volunteer was only there for 4 months at the end of her assignment so I didn’t get to know her as well. Still they were both as dedicated and hard-working as I and our Nigerian colleagues.

VSO has grown exponentially since then, at least that is what I judge from reviewing their website.

https://www.vsointernational.org/about-us

Inclusive education

The website is a very rich source of information on the work they are doing internationally. The projects page gives well illustrated information on the many projects VSO runs across three global programs identified below.

Making sure everyone gets the skills they need to live a fulfilled, dignified life.

Adolescent health and wellbeing

Improving health services for all and empowering the most marginalised to exercise their right to quality care.

Resilient livelihoods

Ensuring people have the skills and opportunities needed to support themselves and their families

According to the VSO website, the organization’s core approaches are:

Across all our programmes we focus on building communities that are resilient, inclusive and accountable.Our three ‘core approaches’ – social inclusion and gender, resilience, and social inclusion and accountability – are fundamental to our volunteering for development approach, ensuring that the people we work with have the capacity to bring about change in their own lives.

In addition, the website alludes to the importance of partnerships.

“We believe progress is only possible when we work together.

Partnerships lie at the root of all the positive change we create. Together, we work on programme development and delivery, research, fundraising and influencing decision-makers.

We work with:

500+ local organisations in 23 countries;governments at all levels;funders, academic institutions and advocacy platforms;corporate partners.”

Indeed, in my opinion, anyone interested in international development will enjoy the wide variety of stories illustrated on their website. The one which immediately caught my eye was using computer tablets to help teach basic literacy and numeracy at hundreds of primary schools in Malawi. In fact, when I was in Malawi a few years ago, VSO was piloting this programme. The pilot clearly worked well judging by the huge scale of the current project!  

Volunteering with VSO

https://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer-with-vso

Much like the other parts of the website, the section on volunteering is full of detail. What caught my eye first was a call for volunteers “of any age.” That said, there are some restrictions depending on where the assignments are, but generally, this is what you’ll need to volunteer with VSO.

“Our volunteers come from all sorts of backgrounds and we assess each application individually, but you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

at least three years’ experience in your professional field,a relevant degree or equivalent qualification,pass the criminal background check, pass VSO core competencies assessment commitment to the full duration of your project engagement willingness to live on a basic allowance and adapt to new living conditions, if you relocate as part of your work with us.”

Also of note is that VSO can hire locals as volunteers in their country or in other countries.

The VSO site is definitely worth a visit.

You can also make inquiries here: enquiry@vsoint.org

International Development Week in Canada, February 5-11, 2023. #IDW2023

The theme is “Go For the Goals.”

What goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals, of course.

What are you doing to mark the event? See the GOC website to get some ideas and learn more about why an IDW was established in the first place.

https://www.international.gc.ca/…/issue…/idw-sdi.aspx…

Have fun at your IDW event!