It is the season for reflection; in the midst of the meningitis outbreak and the training week –and or course the malnutrition, which is always present – we try to find the time and space to debate the future of MSF. These ‘Associative Debates’ are intended to allow everyone in the association a chance to have their say, to play a part in shaping the organisation. At the very least, they represent a tentative step towards the ideal of an organisation in which the employees are members, rather than just workers.
Of course at the end of the debate one is left with the impression of having been here before. The same grand ideals are invoked, the same platitudes echoed about sustainability and responsibility to the beneficiaries and the community. A call to arms is issued regarding the twin notions of empowerment and participation at all levels. And the participants depart with the sense that things will be better in the future. And then they quickly forget all about it until next year.
If I sound a little cynical it is probably just the fatigue. After several intense weeks of vaccination campaigns and staff training programmes, to facilitate debates on questions that noone understands or really cares much about saps what remains of ones energy. Occasionally someone has something of value to express, but their voice is quickly drowned out by the mass that use the debates as an excuse for a holiday. We shouldn’t be surprised at this failure of forced democracy. The idea that the leaders of an institution wish to lay the plan of action on the table for the members to rewrite is no doubt counter-intuitive for many, and likely to be greeted with suspicion.
Nevertheless, I don’t think we should give up on the idea of empowerment. It was the awareness of inequity, and the inability of many to participate in society, that drew me into this field of work. But I realise that genuine participation requires a lot more than just being invited along to a debate and given free coca cola. Participation is the result of a long process of emancipation, in which literacy and freedom from financial and physical insecurity have first to be obtained. I don’t have the recipe for this; but patience and more debates and a lot more free coca cola are probably amongst the ingredients.
Great to hear Zander’s take on the reality of FADs. I commend his optimism and desire for more debates. Empowerment and participation in decision making will always be an issue and it might be time to ask for suggestions from the field as to next years topic(s) rather than always having the agenda dictated by Geneva ?
I as so impressed with piling the little ones up in their space blankets. We also want to start with special care for the severe malnourish in the Western Province of Zambia. Can somebody help us with information how to do it?