Local KAPINTIG – A distinct possibility

A take-off from the Kapintig Inter-Cultural Learning Experience (ICLE), a local Kapintig project concept is being developed by IPDI and DKA facilitators of the annual Austria-Philippines exchange program. The concept, similar to the Kapintig (ICLE), intends to expose participants to the different life situations cum social issues and projects in both rural and urban Philippine communities for greater social awareness and understanding of development initiatives.

Intended for young staff and project clients, the project aims to encourage young people to go into development work as a fruitful and meaningful profession. Such will also answer the need of project partners to come up with young 2nd liners – serious and committed development workers of the future.

The idea was initially broached during the 2009 Kapintig (ICLE) preparations when local project partner facilitators realized that they themselves knew very little of one another’s life situations and development projects.  Also, according to them, the experience gained through the Austrian Kapintig program, exposure and immersion and the ensuing positive results of the undertaking is something that they also would want to avail of.  Such kind of exposure program is of course is not possible given the limited resources of the partner organizations.

The project concept was discussed in a meeting of the different DKA project partners and IPDI last October 19, 2011.  Fatima of CSR, Joe of ASI CYASF,  Carla of CLRDC and Vio, She and Mark of IPDI were present in the meeting. The initial project concept is being drafted by Mark.  Initial consultations and discussions with project partners are positive. Clara, the project Officer of DKA is very open to the initiative.