Profile Document of KOPIN (Malta)

Pioneering in Maltese International Development

Cooperation

KOPIN, Office 82, National Swimming Pool Complex, M.T. Spinelli Street, Tal-Qroqq, Gzira, GZR 1711, MALTA

[email protected] – www.kopin.org – Tel. (+356) 2131 5562 – VO ID No – VO/0200

KOPIN - Pioneering in Maltese International Development Cooperat ion www.kopin.org

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KOPIN is a voluntary, autonomous, non-profit and non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Malta

working in the field of North-South cooperation and global education. KOPIN aims at poverty eradication and the

wholesome development and effective empowerment of the poorest communities. It carries out development

education and advocacy work on North-South issues directed mainly at local and EU policies. Although KOPIN is not bound to any other organisation, it has good relations with a number of Maltese and foreign organisations and

networks.

In fact, ever since its foundation in the year 2000, a main aim of KOPIN is to network with other NGOs so as to

share experiences and expertise with a focus on development cooperation and global education, and to build a

strong position in advocating for a rights-based approach to social global justice.

KOPIN is the founding organisation of The National Platform of Maltese NGDOs, today called SKOP, which it was

mandated to coordinate from its establishment in June 2001 until May 2007. KOPIN also participates in a number

of thematic working groups at local and European level. KOPIN is also a member of the Maltese Forum for Justice

and Cooperation (FJC), and actively collaborates with networks like EUROSTEP, the Terre des Hommes

International Federation, and in networking and advocacy projects such as TRIALOG and DEEEP.

The organisation has implemented a number of projects in the fields of North-South Collaboration, such as Global

Action Schools (GAS / www.globalactionschools.org), Building Unity Through Diversity (BUTD / www.butd.net), a project on “Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society in Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia to engage effectively in

Dialogue with the European Institutions over Sustainable Livelihood in the Mediterranean and the Barcelona

Process”, and a policy research project on Development Issues in Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. KOPIN’s

current projects are a "Global Action Schools 2 Communities" (S2C / www.schools2communities.eu), an awareness

raising campaign on Food Security (www.icu.it/agriculture), a project to design eight university modules that

provide a wide ranging introduction to International Development Cooperation (“Raising Awareness on

Development Cooperation” / www.developmenteducation.org), and a networking and capacity building project involving Maltese, Greek and Cypriot CSOs and local councils www.medevnet.org.

Following its research and partnership building visit to Ethiopia in late 2008, KOPIN is the first Maltese NGDO to

bring a structural approach to the collaboration between Maltese and Ethiopian civil society. KOPIN has also

substantially contributed to the MOU between SKOP and the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development

Association (CCRDA / www.crdaethiopia.org), Ethiopia’s and East Africa’s biggest network of NGOs. Moreover, it

has itself established partnerships with two Ethiopian NGDOs, namely the Emmanuel Development Association

(EDA/www.edaethiopia.org) and the Women and Children Development Organisation (WCD/www.wcdo.org.et).

In 2009, KOPIN organised a visit of the director of CCRDA and the Ethiopia representative of the Catholic NGO

MISEREOR to Malta, during which KOPIN’s representatives and their Ethiopian partners had meetings with the

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and with a number of Maltese civil society organisations.

KOPIN also acts as the Maltese focal point for Social Watch International (www.socialwatch.org). It submits a

national report for the yearly publication and undertakes advocacy initiatives with the national authorities

regarding the relevant policies.

KOPIN is a registered voluntary organisation with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, ID

Number VO/0200. KOPIN is also registered in PADOR (Potential Applicant Dated Online Registration), an on-line

registration service of the EU Commission for organisations working for the development of developing countries.


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KOPIN envisions a global and inclusive society where citizens are

equally empowered to contribute to a world free of poverty and any

other forms of injustice

Our mission is to contribute actively to the alleviation of global poverty

and social injustice by:

• Engaging in sustainable projects together with

partners from the majority world,

• Providing services to vulnerable populations in Malta

with a particular focus on migrant children,

• Promoting and providing development education

and increasing public awareness to sensitise and mobilise

citizens to participate in the development debate,

• Building capacities of its members and its partners,

• Monitoring political processes and engaging in policy dialogue with decision

makers to influence the debate on Maltese and European policies related to development, migration and child’s rights.

In our efforts, we adopt a human rights based approach; we exchange ideas and

experiences with local, European and global partners and seek to be innovative by identifying neglected areas of concern.


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One of Malta’s leading NGDOs in

international project implementation

Throughout the years, KOPIN has implemented and

participated in a number of projects in the field of

international development cooperation and global

education. The year 2006 marked a notable change in

KOPIN’s operations as our organisation embarked on a

number of major projects, mainly funded by the

European Commission or other donor agencies. The

groundwork and contacts for such projects were

established after a series of capacity building initiatives

held in the previous couple of years. The

implementation of various more important and larger

projects thus also marked a significant increase in

budget balances.


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2010-2011, MeDevNet - Mediterranean Development Network: Capacity and Synergy building among NGDOs and

LAs in Greece, Cyprus and Malta for development, www.medevnet.org

Co-financed by the European Union Commission. - Local funders: Co-funding funds for local Councils 2010

Local partners : Kopin and Valletta Local Council. Associates: SKOP and Migrants Solidarity Movement.

This project focuses on networking and capacity building on development cooperation issues for both NGOs and

local authorities.

2010-2011, Raising Awareness on Development Cooperation (RADC), www.developmenteducation.org

A European project (Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Greece), co-financed by the European Union Commission.

Local Partners: KOPIN and the Centre for Environmental Education and Research (CEER) - University of Malta. The project aims to mobilise the support of citizens for the fight against global poverty and the MDG agenda with a

focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Since Development studies are hardly accessible for students in our countries, this

project aims to produce topic specific educational resources, designated for secondary schools, universities and

NGOs that can be adopted in the national education curricula and activities. Thus, they will actively contribute to

the development debate and policy-building processes on a national and European level.

2010-2011, Raising the Awareness of a European Multi-Actor Network Acting for the Enhancement of

Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (2010-2011), www.icu.it/agriculture

A project between Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Ethiopia, DR

Congo and Kenya, co-financed by the European Union Commission. The objective of this project is to contribute to raise the awareness within Europe about the development problems

in Sub-Saharan Africa and to mobilise more effective action against poverty and food insecurity.

2010-2011, Help for Health – Support for the EDA Medical Centre

In 2010, KOPIN was granted funds from Malta’s Official Development Assistance for a project to support a health

clinic in Akaki Kaliti Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The clinic is operated by Emmanuel Development Association

(EDA), one of KOPIN’s partner organisations in Ethiopia.

2009-2012, Global Action Schools2Communities (S2C), www.schools2communities.eu

A European project (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Malta), co-financed by the European Union

Commission. Local sponsors: Betsson Ltd.

This project aims at mobilising greater public support for action against poverty by contributing to environmental

sustainability (Millennium Development Goal 7) through awareness raising, knowledge building and taking action

on the local, regional and international levels.

2008-2009, Building an Expertise on Priority Development Issues in Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia

Funded by The Presidency Fund

The principle objective of the project was to develop KOPIN’s expertise with regards to the EU-Africa relations with

a focus on one of the priority regions of the Maltese Overseas Development Policy, namely the Horn of Africa.

2006-2007, Barcelona +10

Funded by The Presidency Fund Sustainable Livelihoods in the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Process, Strengthening the capacity of Civil Society

in Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia to engage effectively in dialogue with the European Institutions on the Euro-Med

Process.

2005-2008, Building Unity through Diversity (BUTD), www.buildingunity.eu

Co-financed by the European Union Commission, Vodafone Malta Foundation

A campaign to promote diversity as a factor of development.


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Building Unity through Diversity (BUTD) (2005-2008) A campaign to promote diversity as a factor of development - www.buildingunity.eu

BUTD signalled the first large awareness raising campaign development education project undertaken by KOPIN. Six

high-profile Maltese personalities gave their patronage to the project and participated in the “Billion Faces, One

Family” DVD, speaking about their experience with diversity. A number of public seminars were organised around the central themes of diversity and interculturalism while smaller roaming exhibitions visited different schools to

raise awareness about the same issues. The overall objective of this three year project was to present and promote

new approaches to development cooperation that KOPIN believes will make it more efficient through the increased involvement of the local community. The project encouraged Maltese citizens to approach development

cooperation from a point of view based on reciprocity and learning from one another. The main entry point of the

project was the ‘1000 Families’ Exhibition based on the work by the world famous German photographer Uwe

Ommer. A six-week long exhibition in three different locations had an estimated total of 45,000 visitors and it included 60 photos of different families from around the world and three Maltese ones which Ommer himself

added to his ‘collection’ during his visit in August 2006. The exhibition’s main objective was to outline the fact that

we live in a world where diversity is part of everyday life, especially within the family nucleus.

A 'gentle' revolution: By definition, development cooperation brings together people of different cultures who are

knowledgeable in different areas and have different worldviews. The gamble is to make diversity a developmental

factor, and to make it an opportunity for the involved parties to learn from each other. We sought to suggest and encourage “a gentle revolution”. We say “gentle” because, in this project, everything was based on the exchanges

and meetings that occur between people of diverse backgrounds. This point of contact was both direct (during

events, "Building Unity" gatherings and micro-seminars) and indirect (by visiting the exhibition or seeing the

campaign in the press).

BUTD organised also a number of seminars: (i) Media and Citizenship Education – the Role of the Media in

promoting Unity through Diversity; (ii) Training for Volunteers; (iii) Citizenship Education within the Context of

Migration; and (iv) Managing a Multicultural Classroom. Through the work within the latter two seminars (attended by 20 Maltese educators), KOPIN published a protocol for schools on the integration of foreign students within the

Maltese educational system. Key resource persons from UCODEP (an Italian NGO working on development

education) facilitated a workshop within the seminars and helped KOPIN and the educators develop the protocol.

This project was void of any didactic or aggressive rhetoric. We describe it as a “revolution” because in

development cooperation, as in many other developmental processes (in education for example), an unhealthy

practice became the norm in the West, one in which one assesses the weaknesses and lacks of others by attempting to provide solutions based on a Western value system.

A number of dignitaries and personalities have supported this project through their patronage, namely: the Prime

Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, the Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Dolores Cristina, the Hon. Evarist

Bartolo MP, Dr Harry Vassallo (Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika), Ms Ira Losco (singer) and Mr Renzo Spiteri

(percussionist).


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The main Maltese sponsor for the local activities was the Vodafone Malta Foundation. KOPIN secured this grant with the support of the committee of the VOICES concerts, which also supported the campaign financially and

through free space in its programme. Moreover, the concerts were given extensive media coverage and all the paid

adverts of the concerts included a mention of the exhibition.

Another very enriching factor of the BUTD campaign was the presence of the African organisation PDM from Benin.

Their experience in working with African local governments and city councils added value to the partnership. Their

contribution to the campaign through experiences from Africa itself and through the projects’ presence at Africities

2006 was a welcome and valued input. This also helped KOPIN strengthen its collaboration with a section of the Maltese media.

The campaign has also enabled KOPIN to strengthen its capacities on issues related to Child Rights. As a result, KOPIN has been actively involved in the setting up of the Platform for Children. Its partnership with the Office of

the Commissioner for Children has enabled it to contribute to the national debate that was kick started earlier on

by the Commissioner with the launch of the Manifesto for Children in February 2008.

Within the frame of the project, KOPIN has supported SKOP in the promotion of the Code of Conduct on Images

and Messages on the South published by CONCORD in November 2006 with the members of the National Platform.

This project was co-financed by the European Commission, the Vodafone Malta Foundation and Voices.


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Barcelona +10 (2006-2007) Sustainable Livelihoods in the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Process, Strengthening the

capacity of Civil Society in Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia to engage effectively in dialogue with the

European Institutions on the Euro-Med Process.

Project on the

Barcelona Process

One of the geographical focus areas for KOPIN has always been the Mediterranean region. During 2006, KOPIN

embarked on a project that became known as the Barcelona +10 project, to increase its own policy capacity, and

that of other partners, regarding Mediterranean issues. This was made possible through a grant from the

Presidency Fund. The organisations Humanitas from Slovenia and Friends of the Earth from Cyprus were partners in this project. KOPIN set about implementing this project in the belief that there is a clear need to promote the

social, environmental and economic development in the region with real cooperation between civil society and

European public institutions, revising the ways of intervention and the specific functions of each one, and bridging

the current gap between the rhetoric of policy makers and the reality on the ground. This requires the strengthening of the capacity of Civil Society to engage in policy dialogue regarding the Euro-Med process.

During 2006 KOPIN worked with various partners in the Mediterranean - mainly through the Me.Dia.T.E. network (MEditerranean DIAlogue Through Empowerment) - to understand the concept of well-being from the eyes of

grassroots organisations in the South. The culmination of this project was the publishing of a toolkit (including an

information CD) that tackled the various policy issues related to the Mediterranean.

As the nature of the project unfolded, KOPIN took advantage of the various opportunities that presented

themselves at European level, and worked towards participating and influencing the agenda of two EPAN

CONCORD meetings. Strengthening fair trade in the Mediterranean (as opposed to the emphasis on free trade in

the Barcelona Process) emerged as another main issue. For this reason, KOPIN closely engaged with Malta’s only

Fair Trade cooperative, KKĠ.

Through this project KOPIN has established itself as a focal point within SKOP (the Maltese NGDO Platform) on

the Mediterranean.

Funders: Presidency Fund - www.presidencyfund.org

A fund whose principal objective is to strengthen the capacity of New Member States NGOs to engage in the EU

Development Policy debate, which is administered by Eurostep and financed by countries that held EU

Presidencies.


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Building an Expertise on Priority Development Issues in Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea

and Ethiopia (2008-2009)

The Presidency Fund (Call 5 / PF-5) project on Africa has provided KOPIN with yet another important opportunity towards establishing direct partnerships with southern civil society and thus strengthening its constituency. The

principle objective of the project was to develop KOPIN’s expertise with regards to the EU-Africa relations with a

focus on one of the priority regions of the Maltese Overseas Development Policy, namely the Horn of Africa.

Through the PF-5 project, KOPIN succeeded in strengthening its capacities to engage directly with Southern CSOs,

thus facilitating a deeper understanding of the realities faced by people and communities in Ethiopia. This

relationship with Southern CSOs facilitates the inclusion of a Southern perspective into our operations and policies, and thus is helping KOPIN to pursue three aims:

(a) recommend to the Maltese Government the best strategies to deal with development issues in the region (The

Maltese Government has specifically identified Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia as priority countries in its ODP); (b) influence Government policy regarding its ODA strategy for the four countries; and (c) share its gained

expertise with the other members of SKOP (The National Platform of Maltese NGDOs).

In November and December 2008, two members of KOPIN visited Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa in order to establish contacts with local CSOs and to obtain a direct field experience regarding development cooperation

projects conducted with the local communities. A number of projects in the fields of health, education,

sustainable community development, agriculture and women’s rights have been visited, and contacts were

established to Ethiopia’s biggest NGO Platform, the Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), as well

as to a number of its members.

This project allowed KOPIN to elaborate a critical view on the quality of the support that the EC gives to these 4 partner countries through its multi-annual programming and to what extent the priorities set in the programming

are MDG-oriented.

The project was finalised in 2009, and KOPIN signed individual MoUs with its Ethiopian partner organisations, thus

placing itself to engage in a structured collaboration by developing and implementing joint projects in Ethiopia.

Funders: Presidency Fund - www.presidencyfund.org

Presidency Fund Call 5 www.presidencyfund.org, a fund whose principal objective is to strengthen the capacity of

New Member States NGOs to engage in the EU Development Policy debate, which is administered by Eurostep and

financed by countries that held EU Presidencies.


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Global Actions Schools (GAS) (2006-2008) www.globalactionschools.org

KOPIN was a partner in Global Action Schools, a three-year long development education project, co-financed by

the European Commission, which aimed to support schools in integrating global issues into the activities of the

school, while finding ways of contributing to sustainable development. The other project partners were Action Aid UK (lead organisation) and organisations from Austria, The Czech Republic, Poland, The Slovak Republic and

Thailand.

Working both on a local and international level, KOPIN engaged with a number of schools to explore how small

changes in their daily management could help reduce global poverty.

After a successful start with seven collaborating schools during 2006, the number increased consistently during 2007 and by the end of the project there were around 30 schools participating in the project.

Within the framework of GAS, KOPIN also developed a DVD on Global Education initiatives, which is meant to

serve as a tool for educators to promote global issues in educational settings. Besides a number of seminars on global education, a toolkit was produced to help schools in their journey towards becoming a ‘global school’.

Almost 200 toolkits were distributed to Maltese primary, secondary and post-secondary teachers, for which

KOPIN has received very positive feedback.

Through GAS, KOPIN provided Maltese schools with an opportunity to explore how to become part of the

solution to some of the world’s biggest challenges, and to create innovative and effective ways of linking their

learning to responsible action.

Teachers and students have welcomed the methodology suggested by GAS and proved that it is an effective

means to mobilise people to actively participate in activities on issues such as children’s rights, fair trade and

climate change.

In 2008, KOPIN and its partners applied successfully to implement a follow-up project, entitled “Global Action

Schools to Communities” (S2C), which started in 2009.

Co-financed by: the European Union Commission


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Global Action Schools2Communities (S2C) (2009-2012) www.schools2communities.eu

Global Action Schools 2 Communities is a three year project implemented in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia,

Austria and Malta, and provides a continuation to the GAS project and to KOPIN’s work with schools and

educators. Furthermore, KOPIN also aims to widen the scope of its work on global issues by engaging the schools’

wider communities.

This project aims to mobilise greater public support for action against poverty by contributing to environmental

sustainability (Millennium Development Goal 7) through awareness raising, knowledge building and taking action

on the local, regional and international levels.

S2C promotes a global partnership for development (Millennium Development Goal 8) through greater

knowledge and better understanding of global interdependencies. S2C explores the subjects fair trade & climate

change also within the context of local produce, organic food, environmental sustainability and migration as a

result of climate change. Throughout the project, a network of motivated schools and local communities in five

European countries are implementing actions within the school and at a local and European level to contribute to

environmental sustainability and fairer trade relations between developing and EU countries, thus contributing

to the fulfilment of the MDGs.

Knowledge and understanding of how environmental sustainability and fairer trade relations contribute to

reducing poverty in the South are increased in schools, local communities and on the European level. Besides, local

and European networks between the same schools and communities are established in order to implement actions

contributing to environmental sustainability and fairer trade relations.

Exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices regarding collaborating with local communities and other

project issues between representatives of schools, local community (including non-state actors and local authorities) and partner organisations is being fostered applying a participatory, democratic approach.

For more information on the project please contact KOPIN’s project management on [email protected].

Co-financed by: European Union Commission

Local funder: Betsson Malta LTD


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MeDevNet Capacity and Synergy building among NGDOs and LAs in Greece, Cyprus and Malta for

development. (2010-2011) www.medevnet.org

Local partner: Valletta Local Council

The MeDevNet (Mediterranean Development Network) project focuses on networking and capacity building on

development cooperation issues, for both NGOs and local authorities. It is implemented by the Development

and Education Centre European Perspective (DECEP, lead organisation) from Greece, Future World Center from Cyprus, KOPIN and the Local Council of Valletta, in collaboration with the Maltese (SKOP), the Greek and the

Cypriot national NGDO platforms, the African United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), other

leading member NGOs, local authorities (LA) and migrants’ organisations.

The project aims to enhance cooperation within and between the three countries. It will also build the

capacities of the participating organisations and authorities to become efficient agents of development and to

participate in the planning of and the debate over EU development policy. Further objectives are to establish a

strong partnership with migrants’ organisations and local authorities in the three countries and to increase the

dialogue between development actors in Malta, Cyprus, Greece and in Africa, as well as enhance interaction with

the relevant EU institutions.

The project will tackle the following problems:

- insufficient coordination among NGDOs at the national, regional and European level;

- lack of cooperation between NGDOs, LAs and migration organisations in the field of development cooperation;

- lack of available information, given the distance of the 3 Mediterranean Platforms from the European centre (Brussels);

- lack of efficient South–North dialogue;

- lack of sufficient and efficient participation from the NGDOs of the participating countries in the formulation of the EU development policies.

The activities of the project, which started in January 2010, include: (a) a field survey on the experience and

knowledge on issues of development of NGOs and local authorities; (b) national trainings for networking, lobbying and advocacy; (c) a series of interactive workshops on “Structured Dialogue” in Greece, Cyprus and Malta with

representatives from all partners to develop a concrete strategy of cooperation; (d) a peer-to-peer mentoring

program; (e) familiarisation visits of representatives of the three platforms to Brussels institutions (e.g. EU

Commission, ECOSOC, EU Parliament and CONCORD); (f) the organisation of an international panel discussion and

partnership fair in Greece; and (g) the establishment of a web-based forum to facilitate the exchange of expertise

and best practices.

For more information on the project please contact KOPIN’s project management on [email protected]


Local sponsor: Co-funding funds for local Councils 2010


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Raising Awareness on Development Cooperation (RADC) (2010-2011) www.developmenteducation.org

Local partner: University of Malta (Centre for Environmental Education and Research)

KOPIN is partnering the Centre for Environmental Education and Research (CEER) from the University of Malta in

an international project named “Raising Awareness on Development Cooperation”. The project brings together NGOs and universities in Malta, Cyprus, Greece and Romania to strengthen the support of these countries’

citizens in the fight against global poverty and to raise awareness on the historical context and scope of the EU

international development cooperation policy.

Development studies are hardly accessible options for university students and youth in the new Member States,

especially if they want to study in their own countries. Most young people do not know much about the MDGs and

the challenges faced by with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa states. The closest courses offering information and

analysis of development issues are courses such as international relations, political science, international economics, globalisation, and other social studies. In a first instance, the project aims at filling this gap for

students, teachers, and others in the new Member States who want to learn more on these issues, either through

their own universities or through extra-curriculum school activities and workshops offered by NGDOs.

The proposed curriculum and workshop material will provide teachers and professors with up-to-date resources

that can be used to introduce development issues in their courses. At a later stage, 20 European universities will be

invited to provide their feedback on the curriculum and reflect on the importance of continuing our path-opening work of creating a culturally-adapted curriculum.

The curriculum will be made up of 8 modules of 4 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) each.

Each module will correspond to one of the 8 Millennium Development Goals and will present educational and

informational resources for anyone interested in comprehending the international development cooperation field:

academia, students, civil society representatives, public and local authorities’ representatives, mass media and the

general public.

The project is thus expected to bring about higher awareness of the general public regarding the values and the

need of international solidarity and a higher level of involvement of young people, civil society representatives,

public and local authorities, academia and the general public in debates on development cooperation. Finally, the

project will help bring about better collaboration between universities and NGOs in the field of development

cooperation.




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Raising the Awareness of a European Multi-Actor Network Acting for the

Enhancement of Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (2010-2011)

AAA – Awareness on Agriculture in Africa

www.icu.it/agriculture

This project, locally referred to AAA – Awareness on Agriculture in Africa, is a collaboration between Malta, Italy,

Spain, Belgium, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Kenya, Congo and Ethiopia, co-financed by

the European Commission, to mobilise support in Europe for actions against severe poverty and food security in

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), one of the world’s poorest regions.

The partners of this project will be providing in-depth information and capacity building to decision makers,

members of academia, university students, members of farmers’ associations and of the media, while addressing

the wider public.

Food security and sustainable agricultural growth in SSA

are amongst the most crucial issues in today’s world!

Food security exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to enough safe and

nutritious food in order to cover their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life ~

Rome Declaration, 1996.1

At present, more than 860 million people around the world do not have adequate access to food. On top of

the severe food crisis of 2008, famine, drought, mismanagement and the inadequate agricultural and food

policies, the rules of the unjust global market fuel the precarious food situation in Sub-Saharan Africa. For

example, in Ethiopia, 85 to 90 per cent of food needs are met by imports, despite the fact that the majority

of the workforce is active in the agricultural sector; heavy droughts and archaic means of cultivation

prevent the country from stabilising its situation, leaving millions of people in food insecurity. Agriculture

accounts for one-third of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) and for 60 to 90 per cent of

employment, however, the prevailing inefficient means of production, unjust policies (both in Africa and in

Europe impacting on the African markets) and the misuse of resources adversely affect the sub-Saharan

population and aggravate its vulnerability.

KOPIN has engaged in a strong collaboration with its Ethiopian partner organisation, the Emmanuel Development

Association (EDA - http://www.edaethiopia.org) on a field research that will provide resources for capacity and

information trainings and a publication on the subject. In line with its pioneering approach to international

development cooperation and global education, KOPIN is the first Maltese organisation to engage in this way on

the subject of food security and agriculture with a partner from Sub-Saharan Africa. KOPIN’s work will contribute

to the achievement of national targets in the eradication of global poverty given that four priority countries of

Malta’s Overseas Development Policy2 are located in the Sub-Saharan region, namely Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and

Somalia.

The main activities of the project will consist of case studies development, Information and educational workshops, internet-based information portal, European communication campaign and an International dialogue.

1 Food Security: understanding and meeting the challenge of poverty; European Commission, 2009, Belgium 2 http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Library/PDF/Malta's%20Overseas%20Development%20Policy%20eng.pdf.


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ACTIVITIES:

Research

KOPIN and EDA are developing case studies on agriculture and food security in Ethiopia, one of Malta’s priority

countries. The research looks at both the micro- and the macro-level of agriculture, with regards to small-scale

producers and policy, and provides a grass-roots’ perspective to the subject.

Information and educational workshops

The outcomes of the research will be presented to Maltese farmers’ associations, academia, university students,

decision makers, media representatives and the interested public during several workshops which will aim to

improve knowledge on development problems in agriculture in SSA. They will stimulate both discussion about and

action for food security issues in Africa, whilst also looking at the impact of European agricultural policies and

development principles on agriculture in SSA. Concrete plans for effective partnerships will be developed, which

will also allow KOPIN to provide contents for global education activities.

Publication

The research conducted in Ethiopia by KOPIN and EDA, and the studies conducted by the other international

partners in Kenya and Congo will be presented by means of a publication. This publication will also present the

project at large and will be distributed in all participating EU and African countries. KOPIN will disseminate a total

of 1,000 copies in Malta some of which will be presented in person to decision makers.

Internet-based Information Portal

KOPIN and its project partners are currently in the process of developing an interactive web-space which will

provide information on the project and its activities, such as the research, and serve as open forum for debate on

food security and agriculture as well as on related European policies and decisions. The web-portal will be

developed in nine languages and KOPIN will contribute to the English version, for which not solely the Maltese

public will be reached but a much larger audience in Europe and beyond.

International Dialogue

International experts and representatives of the project’s target groups (academia, students, farmers, decision

makers, media representatives) will be invited to Brussels, to exchange ideas and experiences, and to showcase

methods and innovations relevant for agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project partners will

publish and disseminate to decision makers and stakeholders a position paper on food security and agriculture.

Other means of promotion and dissemination

KOPIN will also promote the project through its channels of communication, such as KOPIN’s website, social online

network profiles and newsletters. Moreover, it will disseminate the information to the over 4,500 individuals

active within the member organisations of SKOP (the National Platform of Maltese NGDOs), to teachers and

students in more than 30 collaborating Maltese schools, to university departments interested in international

development cooperation and global education, and to public servants working on development.




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Help for Health – Support for the EDA Medical Centre (2010-2011)

In 2010, KOPIN was entrusted with funds from Malta’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) for a project to

support a health clinic in Akaki Kaliti Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

KOPIN will collaborate with its Ethiopian partner organisation Emmanuel Development Association (EDA -

www.edaethiopia.org) in supporting the Health Clinic to provide health services to the marginalised, heavily

impoverished communities of Akaki Kaliti Sub-City. The Health Centre, which was established in the year 2000,

provides both curative and preventive health services for the communities of Akaki Kality and the neighbouring

rural communities.

As in other urban areas, the population of Akaki Kaliti Sub-City is growing very rapidly due to the increasing

internal migration from the rural areas to the capital in search for employment. There are currently 135 factories in

the Sub-City, which attract job seekers from the countryside to the area. According to the Sub-City’s administration, its population is estimated to be around 260,000 women, children and men. The clinic is the only

health care facility in the area and is therefore expected to serve this huge population by providing multiple service

packages.

The project activities:

The project foresees the construction of three additional rooms, for the upgrading of the clinic (ultrasound facility,

X-ray facility, dental treatment room). This will be complimented by the purchase of an X-Ray machine, dental

instruments and delivery instruments and the supply of essential drugs and laboratory reagents. Moreover, it is

required to assign professionals, on a consultancy basis, to maintain and upkeep the machines so as to ensure the

sustainability of the equipment and thus of the provision of quality services.

Whilst providing new Administrative Equipment for management efficiency, the project also involves educational

activities on preventive health and hygiene for the communities’ members. Moreover, it will allow EDA to scale up

and expand its programme on preventive health services for the community, such as school health services, public

health services and health education. For the educational activities as well as for the conduction of patient

outreach services, a motor bicycle will be purchased and transport allowances and per diems for staffs will be

assigned.

Activities implemented in Malta:

Kopin will be in charge of coordinating and administrating the overall project, including matters related to co-

financing. The latter will be accomplished in collaboration with EDA.

Moreover, KOPIN will raise the awareness of the Maltese public vis-à-vis poverty issues in Ethiopia, and the

importance of both national and international efforts of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, through

its regularly used communication channels.

It is expected that the dissemination exercise of this project will also contribute to seeking co-financing for the

project and even funds that will contribute to the sustainability of the project. The information material will also

be used to build the capacities both in-house of KOPIN’s members and of members of KOPIN’s Maltese partner

organisations.

Moreover, KOPIN will collaborate with EDA to constantly monitor the project, and a visit to Ethiopia is foreseen to

evaluate the overall results of the project at the end of its cycle.

Co-financed by: The Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs


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ADVOCACY, AWARENESS RAISING, CAPACITY BUILDING AND

COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

KOPIN is one of the leading Maltese NGDOs with regards to advocacy, policy dialogue and capacity

building initiatives and has since its inception served as a driving force in influencing the debate on

Malta’s development policy and development cooperation.

Throughout the years, KOPIN has organised several public seminars, workshops and campaigns aimed at

raising awareness on diversity and development has engaged in several inter-related networking initiatives.

It also continues to play an active role in SKOP, the National Platform of Maltese NGDOs, and in other local and international networks and fora.

KOPIN members advocated with the MFA for a National Development Policy and contributed towards

the writing of such a policy during the time the organisation was mandated to coordinate the National

Platform of NGDOs. KOPIN’s contribution was instrumental in convincing the Maltese government for

the need of a development and humanitarian aid policy which was eventually published in October

2007.

On the initiative of KOPIN, various NGOs came together to discuss the lack of legislation which could

regulate the operations and existence of Maltese NGOs. As a result, pressure was put on the

government to set the ball rolling for the eventual legislation regulating the voluntary sector. KOPIN was

instrumental in setting up the STOPoverty! Neqirdu l-Faqar! Campaign, the local equivalent of GCAP

(Global Call to Action against Poverty) in early 2005. It mobilised and brought together a large number of

civil society organisations who campaigned with local and world leaders to live up to their promises on

poverty eradication. Until today, STOPoverty! counts over 40 member organisations.

KOPIN’s advocacy and policy work with Maltese and EU institutions continued through the engagement with Eurostep, the Terre des Hommes International Federation and other international networks. In

Eurostep’s context, KOPIN worked hard on promoting a debate on the role of a Responsible Europe in

the World (http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/423/162/) and in 2006 it secured a

contribution from a Maltese politician who submitted his vision of a Responsible Europe. KOPIN is also

engaged in work related to the Lisbon Treaty, the European External Action Service and outcomes from

the Lisbon Treaty which affect development work. KOPIN also issued a number of press releases and

statements on development and EU related issues. It is actively engaged in raising awareness and policy

dialogue with Maltese MEPs.


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SKOP – The National Platform of NGDOs – www.skopmalta.org

SKOP (The National Platform of Maltese NGDOs) is Malta's broadest network of NGOs working in international

development, humanitarian aid and global education. The Platform was founded on 26 June 2001, on the

initiative of KOPIN, and now has 16 members and six associates. It is officially recognised by the Maltese Ministry

of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and is a founding member of CONCORD (the European NGO Confederation for Relief and

Development).

SKOP aims to improve Malta's contribution to international development cooperation by promoting the exchange

of experiences, ideas and information amongst its members, between networks of NGOs in Malta and

internationally, with the Maltese Government, and between its members and other Maltese bodies with an

interest in international development cooperation and humanitarian aid. To support this work, the Platform

manages training, advocacy and information services. The Platform works to promote the exchange of experience,

ideas and information by acting as a broker for a variety of relationships and by collating and distributing

information.

SKOP facilitates relationships:

(a) Between members: the Platform aims to enable its members to learn together, sharing experience to ensure

that the best practice in the NGDO community is accessible to all. It manages from 2 to 3 training events per year

on topics identified by members themselves. The Platform supports its members in building an understanding of

the changing world in which they operate, to enable them to adapt appropriately;

(b) With the Maltese Government: as Malta's broadest network of NGDOs, the Platform represents the views and

interests of the NGDO community to government. Recent representation of members has included work on the

Maltese government's draft of the National Development Policy. It aims to ensure that mechanisms for

consultation and financial support are designed to ensure the most effective work together for international

development. The Platform aims, not to represent all NGDO views on all topics, but to ensure that government has

access to the work of the NGDO community on as wide a range of topics as possible;

(c) With the European Union: as an active founder-member of the pan-European NGDO confederation CONCORD,

the Maltese Platform has a key role in advocating with the EU on its development policies. At an EU level, its

shares CONCORD's aim to ensure that the EU’s development policy is prioritised over political considerations, that

an increasing share of EC aid goes to least developed countries and that EU external policies are consistent with

development objectives and integrated with poverty reduction targets. The Platform has a role in ensuring that

Maltese NGDOs (individually and collectively) are better informed about the actual and potential role of EC

development policy and practice and are better placed to influence the EU;

(d) Information collation and distribution: the Platform provides its members with information on EU-related

issues made available by CONCORD and TRIALOG. It also carries out regular research on the Maltese NGDO

activities. It also provides access to organisations and individuals seeking information from or about the Maltese

NGDO community.


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KOPIN is the founding organisation of SKOP, which it was mandated to coordinate until May 2007. At present, a

member of KOPIN is the chairperson of SKOP.

The year 2007 signified a major change for KOPIN since after six years of coordinating the Platform’s activities on

behalf of the other members, it embarked on a strategy to widen the representation on the Platform’s Board. Before transferring its responsibilities to the new board, it managed to secure funding from Trialog for one year

specifically aimed at setting up its own secretariat. KOPIN also successfully applied for a project funded by the

Presidency Fund, thus securing another year of support and activities for the Platform’s secretariat. KOPIN still

remains one of the most active organisations within SKOP.

KOPIN has substantially contributed to the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between SKOP and the

Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), Ethiopia’s and East Africa’s biggest network of NGOs, in 2009. In line with one of KOPIN’s main aims – the sharing of information, know how and resources, KOPIN aims to

involve other member organisations SKOP in its activities such as capacity building trainings, seminars and

researches, and facilitates the link between its Maltese partners and organisations in Europe and Africa.

For further information on SKOP contact [email protected]


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Forum for Justice and Cooperation – www.maltaforum.org

The Forum for Justice and Cooperation is a network which facilitates the collaboration between the Third World

Group (TWG), Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust (KKĠ), Inizjamed and KOPIN. The shared main aim of these

organisations, and thus of the Forum, is to work together towards the elimination of poverty and injustice in their various forms.

As members of the Forum, the member organisations endeavour to:

• share physical resources, e.g. premises, hardware etc.;

• share expertise and knowledge;

• allocate human resources efficiently;

• coordinate their programme of activities;

• respect each other's autonomy.

The members of the Forum commit themselves to prioritise the needs of the other Forum members whenever

opportunities arise. Representatives of each member of the Forum meet around three times a year to realize the

aims of the Forum. Other organizations can join the Forum by invitation and with unanimous agreement of the

members. The Forum can also accept other organisations as affiliate members.

KOPIN is a founder member and full member of the Forum for Justice and Cooperation.


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The Platform for Children

The Platform for Children was officially launched on the 12 October 2009 to incorporate all civil society entities

who work for and with children in various sectors, providing a service to children or working for their rights.

The Platform for Children is intended to provide opportunities for networking amongst organizations involved, in

co-ordinating efforts and working in the best interests of children. The Platform also provides the opportunity for

groups working for and with children to speak as a unified voice on matters of concern in this sector. The terms of reference for the Platform for Children, as decided upon by the entities involved, incorporate the aim of the

Platform to “advocate on behalf of children to the various authorities, and act in the interest of children in every

aspect of society.” In this spirit, the Platform for Children will immediately set to work on lobbying for the effective

promotion of children’s rights, an issue which unites the entities involved with the Platform for Children. The Platform will strive to place children’s rights on the national agenda, mainly by ensuring a holistic and child-centred

approach within policy, practice and legislation.

KOPIN was actively involved in the creation of the setting up of the Platform for Children (PfC) during 2009 and

remains an active member. It is the only member organisation that promotes a right-based approach to the

field, focusing mainly on the rights of refugee children in Malta.

Through its partnership with the Terre des Hommes International Federation, KOPIN has also introduced the

Platform for Children to the European Coalition of NGOs working on Children’s Rights. One of KOPIN’s members

has represented the PfC at the 6th

Regional Meeting of the European Coalition held in late October in Florence.


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The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) – www.enar-eu.org

ENAR is a network of European NGOs working to combat racism in all EU member states and represents more than

600 NGOs throughout the European Union. ENAR is determined to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia

and related intolerance, to promote equality of treatment between European Union citizens and third country

nationals, and to link local/regional/national initiatives with European Union initiatives.

At European level, ENAR aims to:

• act as the voice of the anti-racist movement and formulate positions on EU policies related to anti-racism and anti-discrimination;

� develop policy papers and recommendations in relation to EU legislation or initiatives;

� undertake collective lobbying actions; � establish advocacy coalitions and partnerships with other European networks and organisations.

At national level, ENAR aims to: � bring our member organisations together to share and exchange ideas, experience and best practice;

� inform our member organisations about EU policy developments;

� encourage dialogue between civil society and the EU member states concerning the European political

agenda related to anti-racism and anti-discrimination and its effects at national level; � reinforce the capacity of ENAR members to deliver national policy objectives.

ENAR’s vision is of a Europe without racism, where each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in

society. It believes that the coordinated cooperation of NGOs can contribute significantly to the fight against ethnic

and religious discrimination.

ENAR’s mission is to foster a collective civil society voice and to influence decision-making in the European Union in order to:

• Redress the negative consequences of discrimination based on colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion or culture;

• Promote diversity and create the conditions for equal participation in a community characterised by a plurality of values;

• Ensure that anti-racism and anti-discrimination are mainstreamed across all sectors of EU public policy.

Since 2008, KOPIN is a member of ENAR Malta, the Maltese national network that forms part of ENAR Europe and

contributes actively to this anti-racism and antidiscrimination movement, including the promotion of human rights

together with the fostering of a society where each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in. In 2009,

KOPIN was entrusted with the writing of the 2008 ENAR Shadow Report on Racism in Malta

(http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/national/Malta%20-%20SR%202008.pdf).


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Eurostep – www.eurostep.org

Eurostep is a network of 15 major NGDOs from 12 European countries. Collectively they work in around 100 countries. The network was established in 1990 to co-ordinate activities of its members at the European level. Its

two principal aims are first to influence official development co-operation policies of multilateral institutions, and

in particular those of the EU, and secondly to improve the quality and effectiveness of initiatives taken by NGOs in

support of people-centred development.

KOPIN is a partner of Eurostep and has contributed in a number of campaigns organised by this network.

KOPIN has been engaging in and contributing towards Eurostep activities since 2003 which resulted in building a

strong link between its members and partners and provided KOPIN with another opportunity to contribute to

advocacy by European civil society at an international level. Through its engagement in Eurostep general

assemblies, KOPIN managed to raise awareness with bigger NGOs that the NMS NGOs still needed funding and

capacity building in order to be active and effective in advocacy and policy dialogue with European institutions. This contributed towards the eventual setting up of the Presidency Fund.

KOPIN also participates in EUROSTEP initiatives and events on approaches of knowledge sharing and strengthening

of capacity of civil society to build capacity for engaging with development strategies. It also contributes in sessions

that look at the EU’s agenda relating to its cooperation with developing countries and sessions that look at how

changes to the EU’s Treaties, mainly through the Lisbon Treaty, will impact on the effectiveness of the EU’s

cooperation with developing countries.

Eurostep has also served as a platform for KOPIN to present its own initiatives and actions. This has been done

mainly through Eurostep GAs held twice yearly as well as the past Presidency Fund. Together with Eurostep, KOPIN

has engaged in advocacy actions on the MDGs, social development issues through engagement in the European

Social Watch network. KOPIN has issued a number of press releases on a variety of issues related to its advocacy

and lobby work.

KOPIN and Eurostep continuously seek ways of how to strengthen their relationship in order to continue building

on the successes of their partnership.


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Social Watch - www.socialwatch.org

Social Watch is an international network informed by national citizens' groups aiming at following up the

fulfilment of internationally agreed commitments on poverty eradication and equality. The national reports give an

account on the progress - or regression - towards these commitments and goals.

The Social Watch groups, organised on an ad hoc basis, have a focal point in each country that is responsible for

promoting the initiative;

� submitting a national report for the yearly publication; � undertaking advocacy initiatives with the national authorities; and

� promoting a dialogue about the national social development priorities and developing an active inclusive

strategy.

KOPIN is the Maltese focal point of Social Watch and has contributed to the World Annual Report since 2005.

Each year a different theme is chosen which is relevant to the current global situation vis-à-vis human rights,

development, social development, poverty, equality, etc. KOPIN has participated in 4 coordination meetings

which deal either with the choice of theme to be researched or during the launching of the report to the general

public. It has also been involved in smaller scale projects aimed at strengthening other small social watch

coalitions in other countries.

SOCIAL WATCH GLOBAL REPORTS – KOPIN’s contributions

2005: “Roars and Whispers – Gender and Poverty: Promises vs Action” was the first report penned by KOPIN. It

also coincided with the 10th

anniversary of Social Watch. Malta’s page researched the fact that women in Malta

still lag behind in gender empowerment and economic participation. A small percentage is economically active and

in general work in traditionally female jobs. Women are also poorly represented in the power structure. The report

found that although new laws have been enacted to protect women’s rights, the country had no specific legislation

on domestic violence.

2006: “Impossible Architecture – Why the Financial structure is not working for the poor and how to redesign it

for equity and development.” The national SW Report for 2006 dealt with the benefits and challenges of EU

membership and the increase in irregular immigration.

2007: “In Dignity and Rights – Making the universal right to social security a reality.” Malta’s third national report

deals with whether EU inroads foster greater social security. It focused on continuous updating of Malta’s

legislation in line with existing European Community legislation on equal gender treatment in the areas of

employment and social solidarity.

2008: “Rights is the Answer” contains messages related to development financing, the global financial crisis and

the centrality of human rights. The national report focused on human rights, human dignity and solidarity.


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2009: “Making Finances Work: People First”. Over sixty reports from civil society organisations around the world

showed that the only way out of the then ecological and economic crises is to invest in people. Since “economic

crisis” was the keyword for 2009, each national Social Watch coalition, examined the situation in its own country,

and identified a variety of ways in which the crisis was affecting them.

2010 : "After the Fall. Time for a New Deal". The reality of poverty and inequities, as perceived from communities and grassroots is different from the top-down views. The report shows that we are a long way from attaining the

Millennium Development Goals. Furthermore, Social Watch research shows that poverty reduction has globally

slowed down since 2000. It concludes that a comprehensive redefinition of our approach to development is

needed.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL WATCH REPORT www.socialwatch.eu

In 2009, KOPIN also contributed towards the first ever European Social Watch Report. The theme of this European

report was “Migrants in Europe as Development Actors -- Between hope and vulnerability.” The theme of this

report was chosen in recognition of migration’s major internal and external implications for Europe. The initiative

to produce a European Social Watch report was born out of the desire to strengthen a common European identity

for the many Social Watch coalitions in European countries.

2010 : "Time for Action: Responding to Poverty, Social Exclusion and Inequality in Europe and Beyond". The report examines social exclusion in Europe from different angles, including employment, healthcare, housing and

financial exclusion. It also analyses the reality for groups of people that are particularly vulnerable to poverty and

social exclusion, such as migrants and the Roma. Special attention is given to the gender dimension of poverty, as

well as the age dimension.


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TRIALOG – www.trialog.com

TRIALOG is a project to raise awareness of development issues in the enlarged EU and to build the capacities of the

national platforms and the individual NGOs in the New Member States. TRIALOG's overall objective is to strengthen development cooperation through the full integration of development NGOs (NGDOs) from New EU

Member States (NMS) and Accession Countries (AC) into CONCORD and other European networks. The TRIALOG

project was initiated in March 2000 for 3 years. A second phase was started in September 2003, now the project

has recently concluded its third phase (2006-2009) and entered into TRIALOG IV. KOPIN is a consortium member of Trialog IV and contributes actively in the running of this fourth phase.

With the enlargement of the European Union 12 new member states (NMS) contribute strategically and financially to the EU development co-operation policy. The priorities, policies and methodologies of the NMS and accession

countries (AC) complement and enrich the present EU approach. A sound integration into European structures and

policies is clearly needed. The involvement of development NGOs (NGDOs) in this process and in the European

NGO Confederation for Relief and Development (CONCORD) is decisive in order to live up to the EU's commitment to eradicate world poverty.

Ever since its foundation, KOPIN has actively participated in trainings and events organised by TRIALOG. The first

training was held in Vienna in September 2001 on Capacity Building for NGOs, in which one of KOPIN’s representatives participated. Ever since, KOPIN members participated regularly in Trialog activities. KOPIN

members have actively participated in local or international trainings organised by Trialog. Such trainings include

central trainings involving other European platforms and networks, study visits to European institutions, study visits to other well-established European NGDO Platforms and sharing of experiences through joint publications

such as Trialog newsletters. KOPIN is represented at Board level within Trialog and inputs into its policies and

action plans.


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CONCORD – www.concordeurope.org

CONCORD is the European NGOs Confederation for Relief and Development. Its 12 international networks and 18

national associations from the European Member States and the candidate countries represent about 1200 European NGOs vis-à-vis the European Institutions. The main objective of the Confederation is to enhance the

impact of European development NGOs vis-à-vis the European Institutions by combining expertise and

representation. CONCORD was founded on 30th January 2003 when the platforms and networks united their

strengths to organise their common driving force in the fight against poverty and injustice.

The Maltese NGDO Platform, then coordinated by Kopin, was among the catalysts for change from the previous

Liaison Committee of Development NGOs to the EU and is a founding member of CONCORD.

KOPIN participated in a number of international seminars at CONCORD level discussing development issues,

particularly on the Mediterranean. It has, for instance supported SKOP in the promotion of the code of conduct on

images and messages on the south published by CONCORD in 2006 with the members of the national platform.

KOPIN members also participated in CONCORD’s FDR Working Group, the DARE (Development Education Working

Group) and the EPAN Working Group of Concord. At present, KOPIN participates in the local AidWatch Working

Group which contributes toward the writing of the annual CONCORD AidWatch Report.


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Terre Des Hommes – www.terredeshommes.org

The mission of the Terre des Hommes organisations is to provide active support to children, without racial,

religious, political, cultural or gender-based discrimination. To this end the organisations develop and implement projects designed to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged children in their own environment (including

families and communities). The Convention on the Rights of the Child constitutes the conceptual framework

guiding the activities of the Terre des Hommes organisations.

In their own countries and regions, the Terre des Hommes organisations bring to the attention of the public,

including children and young people, the causes of underdevelopment, together with the rights of the child. They

mobilise political will and advocate appropriate governmental policies. They undertake fund raising activities to achieve their objectives.

The Terre des Hommes International Federation (TdHIF), which is the second largest child rights’ network in the

world, ensures coordination among the Terre des Hommes organisations and representation at an international and European level. The TDHIF holds a consultative status with the United Nations, UNICEF, the ILO and the

Council of Europe. It also works in collaboration with other networks pursuing similar aims.

KOPIN has been interacting with TdHIF since September 2008, especially on the promotion of a human rights based approach to development, with a focus on the rights of unaccompanied and accompanied migrant minors.

An initial familiarisation meeting was held in Malta and this process should led to a period of joint activities which

would provide KOPIN with capacity building on this sphere.

In May 2010, KOPIN and TdHIF organised a study visit to almost all the Maltese stakeholders and institutions

relevant with regards to migrant minors. The visit strengthened the establishment of a Child Rights Working Group

within KOPIN, which focuses on research, services and advocacy with regards to refugee children and young

people.

The outcomes of this research visit form also the basis for the current development of a number of educational

and social youth services which KOPIN will offer to unaccompanied migrant minors, starting from January 2011.

Moreover, the visit of TdHIF fostered the relations between KOPIN and the Federation as well as individual

Federation members, such as TdH Germany and TdH Lausanne, which have already proved to be fruitful. In fact,

on the occasion of World Refugee Day on 20 June, the international child rights organisation Terre des Hommes

Germany requested from the Federal Government of Germany to advocate in stronger terms in favour of the

rights of migrants at the European level. This is one of the results of an ongoing structured collaboration between

KOPIN and the TdHIF and its members.


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PUBLICATIONS:

2009, ENAR SHADOW REPORT 2008, Racism in Malta; Dominik Kalweit – KOPIN on behalf of ENAR Malta.

Published by the European Network against Racism (ENAR) in Brussels, supported by a grant from Compagnia di

San Paolo, from the European Commission and from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Summary

The report by the European Network Against Racism is aimed at filling in the gaps in official and academic data, to

offer an alternative to that data and to offer an NGO perspective on the realities of racism with the EU and its

member states. It states that overall, high levels of discrimination are reported by sub-Saharan Africans and North-Africans on the basis of their immigrant or ethnic minority background. The report recommends a national

educational strategy that promotes educational approaches like global citizenship education, human rights

education and development education needs to be developed and implemented. It says that the focus should be

on integration and the causes of migration (global poverty and all related issues), whilst emphasising the interconnectedness of the local and global dimension.

2009, Social Watch Report, “Making Finances Work: People First”.

2009 , European Social Watch Report, “Migrants in Europe as Development Actors -- Between hope and

vulnerability.”

2008, Protocol for the inclusion of foreign students within the Maltese formal education system - KOPIN.

Published by KOPIN and financed with the assistance of the European Union.

Summary

This document has been drafted by the project manager and the pedagogy officer of the BUTD project, William Grech and Vince Caruana, respectively. They have taken into consideration the work and the recommendations of

the participants of a two-day seminar organised within the framework of the same project in October 2008 at the

Mediterranean Conference Centre. This seminar was facilitated by Ms Elisa Carboni and Ms Areta Sobieraj - two professional pedagogues working with the Italian NGO UCODEP from Arezzo and was attended by around 20

Maltese educators. KOPIN is indebted to these persons for their invaluable input.

Design and layout: William Grech, Mario Zammit., Print: Mario Zammit, Grafika Designers.

2008, Social Watch Report, “Rights is the Answer”

2008, Global Action Schools DVD on Global Education initiatives, a tool for educators to promote global issues in educational settings.

2008, ‘Global Action Schools’ toolkit to help schools in their journey towards becoming a ‘global school’.

2007, Social Watch Report, “In Dignity and Rights – Making the universal right to social security a reality.”

2007 “Billion Faces, One Family” DVD in Maltese

2007, Barcelona +10 toolkit (including an information CD) that tackled the various policy issues related to the

Mediterranean.

2006 Building Unity Through Diversity, Uwe Ommer, 1000 Families

2006, Social Watch Report,: “Impossible Architecture – Why the Financial structure is not working for the poor

and how to redesign it for equity and development.”

2005, Social Watch Report, “Roars and Whispers – Gender and Poverty: Promises vs Action


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SKOP – The National Platform of NGDOs –

www.skopmalta.org

Forum for Justice and Cooperation –

www.maltaforum.org

The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) – www.enar-eu.org

Terre Des Hommes – www.terredeshommes.org

Eurostep – www.eurostep.org

CONCORD – www.concordeurope.org

TRIALOG – www.trialog.com

Social Watch International - www.socialwatch.org

Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA)

www.crdaethiopia.org

Emmanuel Development Association (EDA)

www.edaethiopia.org

Women and Children Development Organisation

(WCDO) www.wcdo.org.et

Profile Document of KOPIN (Malta)

Documents

Transcript of Profile Document of KOPIN (Malta)