2021 Lukluk (VSA) - Magazine - Page 25
“I really want to focus on getting
civil society up and running and
focused because there’s a lot of
work to be done. Part of that was
getting this hub office and getting
Jeanette to give us a hand
because we need to develop our
policies, our communications, and
our strategic plans for the next
five-ten years.
Cook Islands with her husband
Bryan to support CICSO members
through sharing her experience
in strategy, processes and
communications. The hub will
play a strong role in developing
that voice says Jeanette. “It’s early
days yet but we see this as a place
where groups can meet and find
opportunities to work together.
“It’s taken a long time for us
to get to the point where we
now sit at the round table talks
with government and with
international donors, so that we
can be part of the conversation
about where development should
go for the country.”
“We work with youth-focused
groups, women groups, cultural
activities, agriculture and
environment groups and so
we’re hoping in time what we’ll
be doing is running workshops
pertinent to those particular
groups. For instance, I’ve just
been speaking to someone who
is very keen on promoting financial
literacy amongst youth. We can
In May this year VSA volunteer
Jeanette Daysh arrived in the
help facilitate that by putting
together a workshop with
them and bringing our youth
organisations to it.”
As Lydia says, “It’s about
building and strengthening
democratic participation by
strengthening these groups’
voices in civil society.”
Smiles from Jeanette, Heather and Christine in
the Cook Islands
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