Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre
(SIRC)
Based in Lund, Sweden
BOX 974
220 09 Lund
E-mail: sirc@zeta.telenordia.se
+46 46-2114502, +4673 989 75 33
SIRC PROJECTS
Updated February 2009
PROJECTS
SIRC’s philosophy is that the methodology of our projects is demand-driven. It should reflect needs on the ground in Somalia. Thus, SIRC uses the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) method as an instrument to improve project planning and project reviews for activities in Somalia. SIRC also initiates projects aiming to improve the standard of living of Somalis. Our role is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology between the international community and Somalia We work closely with local stakeholders and relevant experts in the field of humanitarian assistance. Together we identify the needs and objectives, design a project plan, and raise funds. SIRC facilitates and coordinates the management of projects, including experts and professionals from overseas.
We are currently working on an agriculture project with a local partner in Somalia for securing food production through improving the agricultural infrastructure, market shelter and making small-scale farmers more self-sufficient.
We have in the last seven years been promoting a greater understanding between the people in the Horn of Africa through conferences and seminars on peace-building, good governance, democracy and respect for human rights.
PEACE-BUILDING
SIRC promotes a greater understanding of post-conflict societies in the Horn of Africa. We arrange workshops and conferences on peace and reconciliation, co-öperation, good governance, rule of law, democracy and human rights, protection of environment as well as economic development.
Chairing conference: Enjineer Ishael Sirinoy, Ambassador Introduction Statement: Mr. Jens
Count Pietersen , Prof. Hodan Isse & Coordinator Abdillahi Jama. Samuelsson Schjörlien, 2008
Opening statement:Vice Mayor City of Lund. Opening statement: Ambassador Marika Fahlen,
2008 Horn of Africa Special Envoy, Swedish Ministry
or Foreign Affairs, 2008
Mr. Jeremy Lester, Africa Department, Ambasasador David Shinn, George Washington
EU Commission:, Speaker University: Speaker
Mr.
2008 conference: scholars from the Horn Africa, Europe, USA, NGOs as well as from UN, EU, Swedish Foreign Ministry, Somali Government and Opposition Group (ARS), Horn of Africa diplomats in Sweden.
Panel debate on the Horn of Africa current issues 2008
Echo: Swedish Artists from Malmo singing Africa Unite taken from Nkruma speech 1963 , at City Hall, Lund, 2008
Since 2002, SIRC has organized annual conferences on peace-building in the Horn of Africa. The conferences take place in Lund, Sweden in cooperation with Horn of African associations in Sweden as well as with Horn of Africa scholars in Europe and United States.
The objective with the conferences is to contribute to peace and development in the Horn of Africa. The purpose of the conferences is to enable participants to engage in a constructive dialogue with other stakeholders on finding ways to promote peace and development in the Horn of Africa. The result is a stimulating environment generating new ideas and peace-building projects.
In May 2002, SIRC launched its 1st conference entitled Co-operation Instead of Wars and Destruction on Horn of Africa. The conference offered a discussion on economic co-operation; social and cultural co-operation; democracy and human rights; and peace-building. The conference brought together 300 participants, most of them academics from ten countries. The conference contributed to raising awareness of the issues in the Horn of Africa, promoting a political atmosphere for mutual understanding and trust among the participants, and supporting the conference to become a forum for exchange of views and ideas. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se .Also read more from SIRC brochure.
In May 2003, SIRC launched its second conference entitled NO Development Without Peace. The conference offered a dialogue between international scholars and practitioners on development of good governance, democracy, and human rights. The conference also addressed the deep-rooted causes that often underlie the immediate symptoms of the regional conflicts. The conference brought together more than 450 participants. The conference reinforced its role as a forum for scholars and practitioners to discuss peace-building issues in the Horn of Africa. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se . Also read more from SIRC brochure.
In August 2004, SIRC launch its third Horn of Africa conference entitled Transforming the Horn of Africa : Culture of Peace Vs a Culture of War. The conference discussed challenges and prospects for Horn of Africa to transform itself from a culture of war to culture of peace. The conference strived to capitalize on the momentum in the region to establish peace and development in the region. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se . Also read more from SIRC brochure.
In October 2005, SIRC had launched its fourth Horn of Africa conference entitled Good Governance & Rule of Law Key to Peace & Development. The conference objective was to create an environment conducive for peace-building in the Horn of Africa, and to equip stakeholders with new ideas and tools to enable them to act progressively in favor of good governance & rule of law. The conference ended in great success and participants were more than 400. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se . It be ordered as a book from Department of Sociology, Lund university. Also read more from SIRC brochure.
In 2006, SIRC launched its fifth Horn of Africa conference entitled Role of Diasporas in Peace, Democracy and Development in the Horn of Africa. It critically interrogated and analysed the role of the Diasporas in the democratization process in the society of origin. Contrary to what is quite often presented in the mass media and in the literature on the Diasporas and the society of origin, the role of the Diasporas is double-edged. On the one hand, it plays a major role in the socio-economic development of the society of origin through remittances and investment as well as striving for democracy, human rights and social justice. On other hand, there is tremendous brain drain from the Horn of Africa countries. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se . It can be ordered as a book from Department of Sociology, Lund University. Also read more from SIRC brochure.
In 2007, SIRC had launched its sixth Horn of Africa conference entitled Post Conflict Peace Building in the Horn of Africa. 2007 conference was stimulating and insightful and sustained SIRC effort to bring together important actors and experts to debate the critical issues that jeopardise peace building and development in the Horn of Africa. As previous conferences, a great numbers of scholars, practitioners, international organisations, institutions and government representatives, and European Commission had participated. Proceedings of the conference had been published and can be found from SIRC Website www.sirclund.se . It can be ordered as a book from Department of Sociology, Lund University.
In 2008, SIRC will launch its seventh Horn of Africa conference entitled Faith, Citizenship, Democracy & Peace in the Horn of Africa. See conferences’ pictures in SIRC brochure www.sirclund.se
EDUCATION
In 2002, SIRC undertook a five weeks fact-finding mission to Mogadishu to assess the state of the Somali National University in Mogadishu.
The fact-finding mission produced a report. It concluded that the infrastructure of the academic institutions needs significant restoration. The mission recommended that training teachers would be a vital component for the reconstruction of the Somali National University.
The mission report also concluded that the Somali public institutions had been severely looted and destroyed. Thus, the mission recommended that reconstruction efforts of the Somali National University had to include capacity-building. A project would therefore have to include a component to create a system to provide the policy-makers with reliable and valid data to make relevant decisions to develop and promote reconstruction of Somali public institutions. When security environment improves and functioning government is restored, this initiative will move forward.
AGRICULTURE
SIRC provides support to Somali non-governmental organizations to obtain funding for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Somalia . We review project proposals and prepare them to meet the standards of the Swedish government for funding. We also raise funds for projects from private donors.
SIRC withs local partner in Mogadishu River Shabelle
Rehabilitated number of Sluice gates Rehabilitated Culvert Boxes
Supporting small scale farmers in Jenale, Shablle Region
Beneficiaries of project by Small scale farmers in Jenale, Shabelle Region
Construction of market shelter for farmers
Market Shelter Farmers Learning about HIV AIDS
Since 2003, SIRC has implemented five projects and worked with a local partner in Somalia, Bani’Adam Relief and Development Organisation, for securing food production through improving the agricultural infrastructure, trainings and building market shelters and making small-scale farmers more self-sufficient.
The objectives of the projects have been to improve food security and reduction of poverty in Somalia. The purpose of the projects have been to enable farmers to be self-sustained, increase farming productivity, including farming technology, increase farm land, create savings for small scale farmers, and, to develop institutional capacity to manage budgeting for farming.
The results of the projects have been that farmers in the area could use more improved methods to cultivate crops. Furthermore, they have accumulated savings to use for land preparation and seeds. The community can use irrigation structures and are better protected against flooding. The market shelters have improved the quality of market exchange.
In January 2003, SIRC and Bani’Adam launched its first project focused on rehabilitation of irrigation system in the Lower Shabelle region to secure food production. The output of the project was the construction of three single box culverts and a sluice gate, which contributed to improve the access for the local inhabitants to use roads, as well as to increase their irrigated land.
In 2004, the cooperation launched project focused on strengthening capacity-building and crop production in Lower Shabelle region to improve food security. The output of the project was the construction of three single box culverts, two sluice gates, a river embankment, and improved agricultural and irrigation skills.
In 2005, construction of two box culverts, one sluice gate, four training of agricultural extension package and irrigation management were implemented in the Shabelle region. These constructed irrigation water structures are to protect flood, water scarcity and transportation caused by broken Sluice gate, and Culvert. These new structures have improved to prevent inadequate irrigation as well as the reduction of flood damage to the roads and displacing small-scale farmers from their land of cultivation and their homes in heavy raining seasons. It improved the market accessibility, irrigation on time and water control to the target community.
In 2006 project, provided training on improved agricultural practices to 100 contact farmers, established 4 demonstration plots in the target village, demonstrated improved crop varieties and improved agricultural practices, organized 4 farmers’ field days to visit demo plots, strengthened the capacity of 100 contact farmers for adoption of modern farming techniques through extension training in project period, construction of 1 Market shelter in the Shabelle region and
workshops on HIV/Aids
In 2007, the cooperation launched project further focusing on strengthening capacity-building and crop production in Lower Shabelle region to improve food security. The output of the project was the construction of 1 market shelter, construction three box culverts, construction of one double sluice gate and a number of capacity building workshops.
The SIRC-BRDO cooperation plans to launch its sixth project focusing on increasing the productivity of the agricultural sector in Lower Shabelle region to reduce poverty by improving nutrition, income and employment opportunities in 2009. The cooperation will be able to capitalize on previous work. It will expand on existing irrigation system in the region. The expected output of the project is the construction of two single box culverts, one sluice gate, and a market shelter and establishment of a farmer association. See projects’ pictures in SIRC brochure www.sirclund.se
Updated February 2009