"As the world's population increases in the coming years and as  changes in the climate create water shortages that destroy crops, the number of people without adequate access to food is likely  to increase. As that happens, small farmers and people living in poverty will need the most help."

International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Five decades of participatory learning, mass education and community empowerment. The celebration is a proof that Rural Reconstruction is still relevant after 50 years.

The 50th Anniversary is a tribute to its founder, Dr. Y.C. James Yen, and to those who have devoted their lives to advancing the vision and mission of the rural reconstruction movement for five decades.

A kick-off activity announcing the celebration will be held on April 30, Friday, 3pm at the Yen Museum.

The museum will be opened anew to share the life, work and legacy of IIRR’s founder, Dr. Y.C. James Yen. Testimonials from IIRR friends, partners and staff will also be shared during the program.

For further details, contact the 50th Anniversary Secretariat in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, at +63 46 414 3216 or email lilibeth.sulit-villela@iirr.org.

(SILANG, Cavite, Philippines – April 22, 2010) – IIRR will be joining the rest of the world in observing the annual Earth Day. IIRR will be conducting two events in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, on April 22. These events coincide with the national observance by Earth Day Network Philippines with this year’s theme of HAMON NG PANAHON: CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 MILYON SOLUSYON (KILOS NA, NGAYON NA!).

A forum and Kakawate planting will be conducted in the morning of Earth Day at the Sisters of Mary, Boystown in Silang, Cavite with about 100 students in attendance. Ms. Maggie Rosimo, Program Specialist of IIRR, will present on climate change followed by a presentation on the importance of Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG) by Mr. Ronnie Decastro, Bio-Intensive Garden Field Facilitator for IIRR.

Read the full article here.

IIRR facilitated training on documentation during the Netherlands Red Cross planning meeting of the Community Development Approach implementation program for Red Cross societies in East Africa. The meeting was held from 18-19 March in Nairobi to guide and support Regional Red Cross National Societies in implementing the community development approach. IIRR facilitated day two of the workshop where the writeshop process, authorship and copyright issues were discussed. The meeting was attended by staff of Uganda Red Cross Society, Kenya Red Cross Society, Eritrea Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Netherlands Red Cross. 

 

IIRR discussions and information on documentation processes helped to provide guidelines for collecting information during the implementation. Information collected will be compiled and used in a writeshop at the end of the two-year project.

Finance Volunteer, US Office

IIRR is currently seeking a Finance Volunteer to assist the Development Officer with financial transactions, accounting and reporting, and special fundraising efforts in IIRR’s US Office.

Please read the full volunteer position description and details on how to apply here.

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Development Officer, US Office

IIRR is currently seeking a skilled and dynamic Development Officer to lead and manage IIRR’s US Office. The Development Officer will have the opportunity to contribute to realizing and managing growth – in both size and effectiveness – in support of IIRR’s strategic plan objectives. The Development Officer of the US Office reports to the President and assists the senior management team to shape and support IIRR’s overall program agenda in East Africa and Southeast Asia.

Please read the full job description and details on how to apply here.

Caritas Czech Republic. 2009. Making Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction Operational at Community Level: A Guide. By Rustico “Rusty” Biñas.

Manual Overview: In today’s world, the whole of humanity confronts more frequent and deadlier disasters than before. Brought about by natural and social hazards (Cyclones,
earthquake, armed conflicts, etc) such a condition causes destabilization and disruption in society, resulting to widespread human, material, and environmental losses.

Awareness and recognition of the link between disaster and development is now crucial. Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) is an approach that shows the relationship between disaster and development at the onset, and offers solutions at the outset.

The manual will serve as a guide and tool on how to implement CMDRR by organizations, as well as, in specific communities.

IIRR CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN THE US AND THE BEGINNING OF ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP

(NEW YORK, United States - February 15, 2010) - The unique partnership between IIRR and CGSH dates back to 1960, when a partner of the firm, James G. Johnson, worked with IIRR’s founder, Y.C. James Yen, to launch the institute in the United States. The firm’s pro bono work for IIRR has grown steadily ever since. IIRR’s Board of Trustees has always included at least one active or retired partner of the firm and currently has three. The firm and its individual partners have made generous contributions of unrestricted funds to IIRR and have actively supported the Institute’s work for since 1960.

IIRR is grateful to CGSH for the longstanding and unique partnership of the two institutions and greatly appreciate the firm’s willingness to co-host the 50th Anniversary Celebration in April where IIRR will honor The Starr Foundation and Cleary Gottlieb as 2010 Citizens of the World.

For more information on the 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 13, 2010 or to learn how to make a tax-deductible contribution in honor of this special occasion, please contact Scarlett Lopez Freeman at scarlett.freeman@iirr.org. Online contributions may be made here.

Read the full article on our website here.

A one-week training for twenty-five partner staff from three partner NGOs and seven government departments from Ethiopia and Moyale was conducted in Marsabit, Kenya from February 8-13, 2010. This training was the second phase of Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction facilitation training after the first was conducted in Yabello, Ethiopia in January 2010. Two participants from Isiolo, Kenya, also attended and shared experiences on the use of songs in local vernacular to sensitize people on disaster risk reduction.

 

Later, between 22 February and 3 March, training was held for the Marsabit and Mandera District Steering Groups. The training brought together sixteen staff from Mandera and twenty others from greater Marsabit district. It was co-funded by IIRR under the regional capacity building project and European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) through the Cordaid Nairobi office. As part of the training, a two-day field practicum was conducted in Gimbe and Mansille community where the Community Organization Facilitation and Assistance (CIFA), an IIRR partner in Moyale, has field projects. The facilitation was done by Hassan Hulufo and Janet Nyaoro of IIRR with the help of partner staff Mohamuod Duale and Mohamed Dagane from the Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA) and Umuro Godana from Pastoralist Integrated Support Programme (PISP).