Meeting of the Barka Network Members
On Monday 10 of November 2014 the General Assembly of the Union of the Barka Network Organization took place.
Gathered were welcomed by leading Barbara Sadowska who was stressing the importance of the organization, especially in the 25th anniversary of its existence. At the beginning the candidates to the new members of the Network introduced themselves. The activities of the Foundation for Social Integration “Phoenix” from Częstochowa, as well as personal experiences of social entrepreneurs were told by Urszula Sprącel Kudrzyn. Then Cezariusz Słomkowski and Peter Cebulski discribed the activities of the CIS in the Odolanów and shared their great satisfaction from the achievements. Zbigniew Makowski from the Association “House Full of Culture” from Jarosławiec in commune of Środa Wielkopolska, invoked Władysław Zamojski from Kórnik as the patron of the association of gene actions. The fourth candidate, absent due to an urgent need to engage in local activities, was presented by Barbara Sadowska. New members were unanimously accepted to the Network.
Tomasz Sadowski told about the idea of corporate social responsibility and award given to Barka Network from India. Moreover, referring to the agreement signed on 11 of September in Chudobczyce with French Breeders Association, presented a plan for dissemination in Poland, through Local Partnerships, the French breeds of sheep from Central Massif.
Lidia Węsierska presented two new projects realized by the Network which were “Civic Wielkopolska” and “Professional Network -Professional Organizations”. Within the last project is planned to expand the Network by another organizations, update the Network website, including making pages for each member organization and ultimately editing of the new Statute of the Network. In addition, there are plans of creating 10 new Local Communities.
The network reported adherence to the National Federation of Solving Homelessness Problems. Lidia Węsierska became a candidate for the Board of the Federation as a Barka’s representative.
Ewa Sadowska presented the status of the projects in Africa. INISE submitted two proposals to the European Commission. The projects are related to the creation of social enterprises in Kenya and Ethiopia and the establishment of Centers of New Generation for migrants in Europe. EC decision on the proposal for Kenya and Ethiopia, has been delayed. This project was supported by the MEP Jerzy Buzek, a former MEP Filip Kaczmarek and is currently monitored by MEP Bogdan Wente. According to European Commission’s this project will be most probably implemented by the World Labor Organization or the World Bank. There is a chance that the Barka Foundation and INISE will be partners in its implementation.
Special Guest of the Assembly was Sylwia Forchap from Cameroon, doctor of pharmacy, the leader of the Voice of Nations organization who left work in pharmacy industry for social work and direct contact with people. Sylwia’s plan for 2015 is to organize a congress of African women at the headquarters of the Barka Foundation in Poznan.
