AIFO
is present all over Italy through official groups, regional
coordination offices, hundreds of active members and thousands of
supporters. This public base of AIFO is committed for creating a
culture of awareness about the dangers of accumulation, consumerism
and cultural intolerance and to help the building of men and women who
live their role of “citizens of the world” according to criteria
of justice and equity. All these activities are part of the
Development Education projects of AIFO, also called "Progetto
Italia".
The Development Education activities of AIFO often have
European and International dimensions through the different networks
and federations of which AIFO is a member. This page provides summary
information about principles of Development education activities of
AIFO. You can read more details about the AIFO Development Education
activities during the last year in our annual
report.
AIFO
welcomes proposals from other European
Organisations for joint activities of Development
Education.
AIFO
promotes educational activities through
refresher training courses for schoolteachers and organization of
meetings with students.
AIFO
carries out training
activities for community animators and solidarity-team
leaders through local courses at national level and short courses at
regional levels in
Italy
.
AIFO
promotes national and local awareness campaigns
for the advocacy of the rights of the poorest and under-privileged
persons.
For
maximizing the impact of its activities, for using its resources in
the most useful way, and for coordinating its activities with other
national and international organizations, AIFO is a member of
different federations. Thus, at national level, AIFO is a member of
federation of Italian NGOs, “FOCSIV–Volunteers in World” and of
the “National Conference of Laical Aggregations”. At international
level, AIFO is founding member of the ILEP
(federation of major anti-leprosy organizations) and of the IDDC
(International Disability & Development Consortium). AIFO is also
a founding member of the “Circle
of Solidarity Follereau-Damien”, formed by various
organizations inspired by the thoughts and works of Raoul Follereau
and Father Damien.
AIFO receives financial support for implementing projects in
developing and under-developed countries from local Italian
institutions, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European
Commission and other international organizations.
AIFO
is in official relationship with the World
Health Organization (WHO) and takes part in the World
Health Assemblies.
Every
year, AIFO carries out two big initiatives of public mobilization:
The
World Leprosy day established since 1954 and celebrated on
last Sunday of January each year;
Since
1986, a Raoul
Follereau Award, which is given to persons or
organizations, who have
given significant contributions
to peace and justice.
In
addition, every two years, AIFO organizes a National
Conference, a meeting for all AIFO groups and supporters,
promoting an analysis of important contemporary issues affecting
mankind, looking at the events from the point of view of the
under-privileged communities. The conference participants define and
elaborate strategies for promoting social change and advocacy.
AIFO
has the following publications in Italian:
-
“Amici
di Raoul Follereau”, a monthly magazine, distributed in
80,000 copies every month;
-
“AF
informazioni” a newsletter for AIFO groups and
collaborators
AIFO
regularly produces other information and awareness material in
Italian, which includes audiovisual materials (video cassettes,
slides, photographic exhibitions on countries and people in developing
countries), books, guides, teaching material for schools and for
social activist groups, etc.
