Fostering mutual understanding across borders

MS stands for "cooperation between people", which is the core of MS activities in Denmark and abroad. MS brings together people from different countries for mutual understanding, regardless of race, religion and politics. The bottom line of MS is that it works for better distribution of the resources in the world.

Mette Byrgesen Jensen, information worker for MS Uganda, says: "MS has brought together people of Uganda from different backgrounds through friendship links and exchange programmes like youth work camps.

MS has around 100 Danish Development Workers (DW) attached to MS programmes in countries of eastern and southern Africa. DWs have participated in different work camps all over the country." MS Uganda, which is one of the programmes of MS International, is run with a certain degree of autonomy, although linked to the principles and politics of this mother organisation in Denmark.

It also aims at building confidence in Uganda by supporting stability and national reconciliation and poverty reduction through community initiative and co-operation with neighbouring countries.

Byrgesen said that MS Uganda supports and works for national reconciliation and stability by supporting organisations involved in conflict resolution, education and reconciliation. It supports efforts to develop a strong civil society with reference to human rights, good and the rule of law. However, they also encourage the practice of good governance focusing on transparency, accountability and mutual understanding. MS supports information activities in Denmark about Uganda and in Uganda about Denmark.

MS Uganda supports and works for reducing community poverty by working with CBO’s and NGO’s through education, training, production, marketing or other initiatives based on local resources. MS also identifies and supports organisations at national level which addresses active participation of women in development, environmental degradation, or health issues at community level.

MS encourages and facilitates advocacy work for developing national policies on poverty reduction and international policies on structural adjustment and debt relief.

Byrgesen added that MS Uganda supports and works for co-operation with neighbouring countries. It links neighbouring countries by facilitating an analysis of regional interests between Uganda and her neighbours. This is done through information sharing, meetings and study visits. They also support partners’ participation in training, seminars, conferences and the establishment of networks and other activities aiming at exchange and transfer of technology.

In spite of the work done by MS, it has limited resources and is not capable of covering all of Uganda. The north is marginalized and faces more difficulties than the rest of Uganda due to political instability and insecurity. Therefore, northern Uganda is prioritised. The other partners are spread in Kampala, Hoima, Masindi, Soroti and Mbale.