lunes, 19 de octubre de 2009

GAD Meeting Minutes – 25/09/09

Gender and Development, Peace Corps Paraguay 

President – Melissa Salomon

Secretary – Chris Diaz (absent, substitute – Nathan Antonio)

Treasurer – Pooja Virani (absent)

 

Old Business

 GAD in Site

- Two meetings prior, the selected activity was an essay contest for Dia del Padre. Gustavo Gimenez, the SSC, read and judged the essays. Winners: 1st place – Diana Isabel, 2nd place – Adalberto Pena Barrios, 3rd place – Mariana de los Angeles Baiboza Vera. The winners may go ahead and purchase their prizes, and GAD will reimburse them via their volunteer.

- The previous meeting, the committee decided to make the GAD in Site activity Mensajes de la Cultura. David Schmitz and Melissa Salomon did the activity with members of their community. Overall it was successful, but they noted that the younger Paraguayans they were working with tended to voice more liberal attitudes about sex and gender roles than was expected. They recommend to others who do the activity that they explain that the opinions that they express should reflect society at large or “the way your parents/grandparents think” rather than participants’ personal opinions. As both David and Melissa work in urban sites, results might be different in the countryside.

- This meeting’s GAD in Site activity is Mitos sobre la Violencia Domestica. See the attached for a facilitation guide to the activity.

 

PATF

The PATF program is a partnership between Peace Corps Paraguay, La Secretaria de la Mujer de la Presidencia de la Republica, and La Union de Profesionales y Empresarios Juveniles which benefits aproximately 50 young Paraguayans with scholarships for high school, vocational school, trade school and university in addition to training in self-esteem, personal finance, leadership, gender empowerment and networking among other topics. This year, as was the case last year, 10% of the scholarships will be allotted to males, while the remainder will go to benefit of females.

- The second workshop for this year’s recipients will be October 16th. Those interested in helping with the planning of the event may contact Chris Diaz. Chris Diaz, Rosana Chavez, Giselle Pasamonte and Laara Manler are already slated to help.

- For 2010, David Schmitz has offered to sign the PCPP for the scholarship funds. Three applications will be accepted per volunteer. There may be an electronic submission option. Further detail will be forthcoming as the new year approaches.

 

GAD Camp

For 2 years running, the GAD committee has organized and sponsored a youth camp with the NGO Prevencion Alto Parana (PREALPA) of Ciudad del Este, at Itaipu binational’s biological refuge of Tati Jupi. This year’s planning committee consists of Hannah Kaufman, Chris Diaz, Nathan Antonio, and Pooja Virani.

-It is worth noting that all of the planning committee’s members are senior volunteers, meaning that there will be no experienced volunteers to lead the planning effort next year. If you are a junior volunteer (1 year to 9 months or less into your service) please contact the planning committee to get involved. Your collaboration is not only appreciated, it is essential.

- Last year’s camp saw an increase of participants from 35 to 40 and this year they are aiming for 45. There may have been an increase in the amount of SPA funds available for training activities. More will be known when SPA funds are actually made available again to volunteers.

- This year’s theme will be Voluntariado y Aprendizaje al Servir. If you have any recommendations for specific topics, contact Chris Diaz or Hannah Kaufman.

- There is a rumor that Itaipu no longer offers bus transportation for camp groups from the terminal of Ciudad del Este to Tati Jupi. Inquiries in Asuncion and CDE returned no confirmation of the rumor, nor positive denial. Nathan Antonio is pursuing the matter. Inability to obtain free bus service to Tati Jupi would make the camp prohibitively expensive.

- Those present at the meeting were asked to check out local camping areas and report back to the planning committee about facilities, availability, and cost. Joseluis highlighted possible options in Aregua.

 

GAD Manual

-The GAD manual is currently in formatting and editing.

- Two chapters are still missing to round off the manual: self-esteem and human rights. Joseluis and Rebecca Grimm volunteered to write the chapters. Completed materials should be sent to Melissa Salomon.

 

Jopara

- Jopara will be redesigning the diversity training session in the coming months. Possible changes include new activites, spacing out training dates, and the possible inclusion of a “movie night” to involve host families.

- A diversity film collection is being compiled by the sub-committee. For a list of possible films to be included contact Laara Manler. Also, please contact if you have any films to recommend or add to the collection.

 

New Business

 

Auction

GAD conducts an auction of donated items at the Thanksgiving festivities near Encarnacion.

- The idea of auctioning off skills (like painting, massages, copy editing, etc.) was ventured and received well.

- A request for item or skill donations will be sent out in subsequent bi-weekly newsletters.

- Committee members are asked to solicit donations from their friends and especially out-going PCVs. Marin Palmer was ventured as a contact for G-25.

- Contact Melissa Salomon for more details.

 

Congreso de Lideres 2009

Joseluis, in conjunction with the Supervision of Aregua are planning a two day conference on leadership, gender, and diversity issues to involve students and teachers from the district of Aregua Oct 23/24.

- Joseluis requests that six volunteers come to facilitate sessions at the camp. Volunteers are welcome to bring community contacts. The session topics are: Learship, Diversity, Gender Roles in the Family, Natural Resource Management, Healthy Living, and a Summary session. Volunteers interested in participating should contact Joseluis through email at xlide@yahoo.com or cellphone number0982600111

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