Annual General Assembly of Dianova International
Dianova’s annual assembly of delegates was held on October 23 in Palma de Majorca (Spain) in the presence of more than 50 representatives from the Network’s member organizations across Europe and the Americas who have debated issues likely to affect the whole network and presented their innovative programs and activities. In addition, legal and administrative matters have been duly addressed as part as the assembly’s agenda.
Common Perspectives 2016-2020
The main theme of the meeting was related to the task which is being assumed by the Dianova Network – that of devising a set of common perspectives for the 2016-2020 period. These perspectives will provide the basis for the development of each member organization’s 2016-2020 strategic plan and later on reflected in their respective annual action plans. More than 50 people have participated in this process so far, however after the document’s formal approval by the Assembly, work teams from each member organization will take over, resulting in the participation of 200 additional staff members, ie, about 40% of the whole staff.
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Another of the points discussed was the adoption of the annual report of Dianova International (see abbreviated version at the end of the article)
New Associate Member Status
One of the most innovative aspects approved by the Assembly was the introduction of the Associate Member status. This status will be reserved for organizations working in the fields of education, youth, addiction and/or social and community development, interested in joining the Dianova network. The associate member status will increase our critical mass towards a common objective while helping in making the voice of NGOs heard in international forums. In addition, we expect that this new legal status will allow organizations to participate in international projects while improving information dissemination and best practice sharing. Last but not least, associate members will have the opportunity to utilize Dianova’s annual addiction prevention campaigns.
After this proposal has been formally adopted by the Assembly, participants started to review applications to the new associate member status with applicants from India, Pakistan and Kenya. Finally, the Assembly approved a change of status by the “Drustvo Up” organization in Slovenia, from affiliate to associate member.
Global Migration
The Assembly participants were honored with the presence of Rev. Liberato Bautista, Assistant General Secretary for United Nations and International Affairs Ministry of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. In September 2015, Dianova International and the General Board of Church and Society have engaged in an agreement to collaborate on issues of common interest with regard to advocacy initiatives at the United Nations, more particularly on women’s issues, global migration and sustainable development.
Expert in global migration, Liberato Bautista has a degree in history and political science from the University of the Philippines and did his doctoral studies in Christian social and political ethics from Drew University. In addition, he is known in ecumenical and civil society circles in Asia and around the world especially in the field of international affairs, human rights, and social and political ethics which are also his academic pursuits and about which he has written essays and edited books and journals.
In the Assembly of Dianova, Liberato Bautista presented the reality of forced migration, the work which is being carried out internationally to alleviate this dramatic situation, and the challenges that await us in this field. Read Liberato’s presentation (English version – Spanish version)
Activities & Projects
The last item of the Assembly drew the most interest with the presentation of each member’s most innovative projects and activities, including the humanitarian intake center in Dianova Spain, a new program dedicated to people with autism spectrum disorders in Canada, the projects developed by Dianova in Nicaragua to achieve greater social impact in the educational field, the participation by Dianova Italy’s staff members and residents to the Milan Marathon, and the organization of a professional seminar on the various aspects of motivational interviewing for drug users and a presentation of an integrated approach in dealing with dual pathology – addiction and mental illness. (A dedicated article will be published on Nov. 10)
- Download annual report
- Annual report (Short version – click on the “full screen” button for easier reading