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Linking



Linking - What's Involved?

We live in a world where the gap between rich and poor is growing all the time. In spite of globalisation and talk of a 'global village' billions of people have little chance to participate in this world of instant electronic communication, air travel and universal brands like Gap and Nike. If we really want to live in one world we have to get to know our neighbours and learn to share their hopes and problems.

One way of doing this is through linking - a bit like town twinning but different! 'Linking' is the term used to describe the relationship when one partner comes from the South - Latin America, Asia, Africa or the Caribbean - and one from the North –from the developed world. The link partners may be local authorities, schools, churches, hospitals or - just as in our case in Barnes - a group of local people.

Linking is about friendship, cultural exchange, co-operation on development issues and tackling problems at a local level. To benefit from a link people need to show patience and be prepared to listen to each other. Linking may involve exchange visits, correspondence including emails, and in some cases undertaking joint projects which will help the whole community. Money may be raised in the North to help the link partner or to help pay for visits from the southern partner. In 2005 the UK government is keen to encourage school linking as a way of helping young people to understand the global world in which they are growing up.


Sharing and Learning

Fundamentally linking is about sharing, and learning from each other. We in the North can learn from the South where the word 'community' has real meaning and my neighbour's problem is also my problem. Linking can, too, help people from South and North to work together for a more just and peaceful world with a fairer trading system, debt cancellation and an emphasis on sustainable development.


Response to the Tsunami

Across the world the response to this terrible catastrophe showed people’s concern for those whose lives had been devastated. Not only did money pour in to help the relief effort but groups got together to help those who had been affected rebuild their communities and their lives. A group of British doctors of Sri Lankan origin from Hampton who went to provide support to local doctors in Sri Lanka is just one example. As described on this website Rebuilding Sri Lanka is another example of a group working with local people to provide long term support.


Personal Contact

Linking is about learning and it's also a way of raising awareness of development issues. Issues that sometimes seem remote become real and personal if we can see how they affect the lives of friends and partners.


More Contacts

If you would like to learn more about linking locally you could get in touch with Sally, Philip or Mary. Or you could get information from an organisation called the UK One World Linking Association (UKOWLA). UKOWLA was founded in 1985 to support people and organisations engaged in linking and to promote good practice.

Tel: 01672 861001
Email: pepi@ukowla.org.uk
Website: www.ukowla.org.uk


Internet Links for our two partner organisations


We have also made donations to other organisations when our funds allow. Recently these included:


Campaigning Groups

BOWL members have spoken at church services during OWW and would be happy to do this in the future.

- Campaign to continue the work of Jubilee 2000 ensuring promised debt cancellation takes place, and that cancellation actually makes fife better for the poorest.

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