Project DJAM in Mali officially started
From 24 until 28 February 2020 the kick-off of project DJAM took place in Bamako, Mali. All project partners gathered to set the common project values, expectations and consolidate the partnerships. On the 27th the Malian Orange Knowledge Programme had its official kick-off at the beautiful location of Le LAC de Lassa in Bamako.
The first three days of the kick-off week were dedicated to setting common values and expectations and building the relationship between the consortium partners. Project partners and staff members attended the meetings and the connection and values were set to establish a strong and trustful relationship. The project partners defined a work plan for a smooth sailing project implementation. Talks about the curriculum development, procedures and expectations for project beneficiary Lycée Professionnel Sangha (LPS) involved also members of the Direction Nationale de l'Enseignement Technique et Professionnel (DNETP) of the Ministry of National Education. It was much appreciated that representatives of the ministry were present as it was also discussed how this project can contribute to the overall Malian education system.
A new project name
The new project name, DJAM, was revealed during the kick-off. It is a powerful and energetic word that is common in the Dogon and Peul languages. DJAM stands for development, peace, stability and security. These four concepts cannot be viewed separately in DJAM. It expresses the wish of all consortium partners to contribute to peace, stability and food security for all people living in Pays-Dogon. DJAM is who we are!
The official start of project DJAM
In the morning of the 27th, the day of the official kick-off, a steering committee meeting took place. Project managers, coordinators and partners discussed the Nuffic framework and talks continued on how to establish a good partnership and project management structure.
In the afternoon project partners, staff as well as external guests joined the festive opening and revealing of the project name at the beautiful location of Le LAC de Lassa in Bamako. The project team was honored to welcome Ms. Marjan Schippers, representative of the Dutch Embassy in Mali, the Director of the DNETP of the Ministry of Education, local authorities including the Mayor of the city of Sangha and local NGO’s. Ms. Schippers spoke about the connection between the Netherlands and Mali, the involvement of the Dutch government in development policies in the country and she strongly endorsed the project.
Local artists immersed the partners and guests in typical Malian music. And the location, Le LAC de Lassa, a center specializing in sustainable agriculture techniques invited the guests for a walk through the beautiful gardens. Furthermore, young members of an artistic collective also attended the event. This group will be involved in the program of visual research supervised by project partner Viewpoint, where local stakeholders will be put at the center and will contribute themselves to a process of co-creation and definition of research areas of focus.
We look back at a successful kick-off. There was as a very positive attitude and energy coming from everyone involved and the project team is very motivated and has a positive mindset to make project DJAM a success.
The project in brief
This Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is being implemented by Maastricht School of Management (MSM), Partners Pays-Dogon (PPD), CINOP, Viewpoint and Université DELTA – C to improve the access to vocational training for young people and women from the Dogon country. The consortium partners with project beneficiaries Association Dogon Initiative (ADI) and Lycée Professionnel Sangha (LPS) to empower them with the tools and knowledge they need to face the challenges posed by food and nutrition insecurity in the region of Mopti.
Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme
Project DJAM is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme. Nuffic OKP contributes to a society’s sustainable and inclusive development by providing access to education and training for professionals and organisations in technical vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its development cooperation policy. The subsidy programme is managed by Nuffic, a Dutch non-profit organisation for internationalisation in education. It offers funding for long-term, demand-driven partnerships between Dutch knowledge institutions and organisations in 19 participating countries, as well as individual scholarships and Tailor-Made Trainings in all 53 selected countries. The € 195-m, five-year programme ends mid-2022, enabling tens of thousands to change their future. From the Dutch development cooperation policy, 4 priority themes have been selected on which to focus in the programme: Food and Nutrition Security; Water, Energy and Climate; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights; and Security and Rule of Law. Cross-cutting themes in this programme are inclusion, employability and environmental sustainability.
