Progressio Ireland
Encyclopedia
Progressio Ireland is an international development organisation that works toward “sustainable development
and the eradication of poverty in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”
Founded in Dublin in 2004, the organisation stresses a “skill-share” approach to development practices, supporting the work of local organisations by providing the tools and education to develop long-term solutions to barriers to sustainable development
and resource management
in their 10 project countries. Progressio employs “development workers,” that work on-site with the local organisations and communities and share their skills. The organisation places an emphasis on continuing education
rather than other more short-term solutions to development issues.
Progressio aims to provide communities with the skills and knowledge necessary to solve the problems that stand in the way of development and marginalise the poor.
Progressio was founded in 1940 as “Sword of the Spirit
,” a movement aimed at translating the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
into practical action. In 1965 the name was changed to the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR).
The name “Progressio” is taken from the 1967 Encyclical
of Pope Paul VI
, Populorum Progressio
, or, “the development of peoples.” The document stresses social responsibility toward a just world and confronts the challenges to development.
Progressio Ireland was founded in 2004 with the purpose of promoting sustainable development
techniques in underdeveloped countries, providing the tools for sustainable self-governance
, and contributing to debate on development issues within Ireland
.
are respected, where all have their basic needs met and can exert control over their lives.” The organisation is founded on Catholic Social Teaching
and Progressio endorses this history and relationship. However, Progressio Ireland itself is not formally part of the Catholic Church. They provide their services to all people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Progressio Ireland states: “We work with people of all faiths and none.”
in the areas they conduct their operations. The ultimate goal of the organisation is to improve the lives of the world’s poor by supporting skill and education programs that provide them with the “resilience and resourcefulness to be the authors of their own development.” Three areas that Progressio has outlined as key factors for this process for 2010-2015 are: Participation and effective governance, sustainable environment, and HIV/AIDS education and research.
Progressio employs “development workers” that serve local communities providing expertise, knowledge, and support to the poor and marginalised. These development workers are professionally qualified, with training in their field.
Progressio Ireland also engages in advocacy
and campaigning to change existing political and social structures in developed and underdeveloped regions.
is primarily focused on developing campaigning and advocacy work rooted in the work of Progressio in the 10 countries they support internationally. Progressio is currently working on a LiveSimply campaign that promotes environmentally and socially responsible lifestyles, as well as the Act Now on 2015 campaign in conjunction with Dóchas to increase Ireland’s foreign aid budget. Procurement
of illegally logged timber in Ireland and the UK is also currently a focus of Progressio. In 2008, Progressio Ireland began to apply pressure to the Irish government
to introduce ethical considerations into National Pension Reserve Fund guidelines after discovering the organisation had invested nearly €578 million in Zimbabwe
-linked companies, indirectly funding Robert Mugabe
’s regime.
, specifically water distribution and illegal logging
, which Progressio has likened to the illegal drug trade
in terms of how it is conducted and the damage it causes.
to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe
. The organisation focuses on improving illiteracy rates, especially among women, improving farming practices, broadening access to energy systems
, applying pressure to governments accused of human rights abuses, as well as other relief efforts.
, and supports a bi-national approach to work in Haiti
and the Dominican Republic
. They seek to promote good governance
in the region as well as ensuring that Haitians’ rights are respected on the Haiti/Dominican Republic border. Currently Progressio is focused on building up the strength of the work within Haiti
, while maintaining the bi-national approach.
. Specifically Progressio Ireland deals with HIV/AIDS awareness and documentation in the face of government obstruction, as well as increasing the role of women in society and protecting their rights.
of 1975-1999. Their goal is to facilitate the establishment of a strong civil society capable of holding local and national governments to account.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
and the eradication of poverty in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”
Founded in Dublin in 2004, the organisation stresses a “skill-share” approach to development practices, supporting the work of local organisations by providing the tools and education to develop long-term solutions to barriers to sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
and resource management
Resource management
In organizational studies, resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology...
in their 10 project countries. Progressio employs “development workers,” that work on-site with the local organisations and communities and share their skills. The organisation places an emphasis on continuing education
Continuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
rather than other more short-term solutions to development issues.
Progressio aims to provide communities with the skills and knowledge necessary to solve the problems that stand in the way of development and marginalise the poor.
History
Progressio Ireland is a sister company of Progressio, a UK-based international development charity.Progressio was founded in 1940 as “Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit was a forerunner of the Catholic Institute of International Relations, now Progressio, founded by Cardinal Hinsley in August 1940...
,” a movement aimed at translating the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching
Catholic social teaching is a body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state...
into practical action. In 1965 the name was changed to the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR).
The name “Progressio” is taken from the 1967 Encyclical
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
of Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
, Populorum Progressio
Populorum Progressio
Populorum progressio is the encyclical written by Pope Paul VI on the topic of "the development of peoples" and that the economy of the world should serve mankind and not just the few...
, or, “the development of peoples.” The document stresses social responsibility toward a just world and confronts the challenges to development.
Progressio Ireland was founded in 2004 with the purpose of promoting sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
techniques in underdeveloped countries, providing the tools for sustainable self-governance
Self-governance
Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of organization.It may refer to personal conduct or family units but more commonly refers to larger scale activities, i.e., professions, industry bodies, religions and political units , up to and including autonomous regions and...
, and contributing to debate on development issues within Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Philosophy
Progressio Ireland is founded on the social teachings of the radical Catholics. The vision of the organisation is to “bring about a just world, where people can have life in all its fullness, where human rightsHuman rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
are respected, where all have their basic needs met and can exert control over their lives.” The organisation is founded on Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching
Catholic social teaching is a body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state...
and Progressio endorses this history and relationship. However, Progressio Ireland itself is not formally part of the Catholic Church. They provide their services to all people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Progressio Ireland states: “We work with people of all faiths and none.”
Development Goals and Strategies
Progressio seeks to promote “People Powered Development”in the areas they conduct their operations. The ultimate goal of the organisation is to improve the lives of the world’s poor by supporting skill and education programs that provide them with the “resilience and resourcefulness to be the authors of their own development.” Three areas that Progressio has outlined as key factors for this process for 2010-2015 are: Participation and effective governance, sustainable environment, and HIV/AIDS education and research.
Progressio employs “development workers” that serve local communities providing expertise, knowledge, and support to the poor and marginalised. These development workers are professionally qualified, with training in their field.
Progressio Ireland also engages in advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
and campaigning to change existing political and social structures in developed and underdeveloped regions.
Current Projects
Progressio Ireland currently has operations in Ireland as well as 10 countries in various regions of the world:- Latin America Operations: El SalvadorEl SalvadorEl Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, HondurasHondurasHonduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, NicaraguaNicaraguaNicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
and PeruPeruPeru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
- Africa Operations: MalawiMalawiThe Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, SomalilandSomalilandSomaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
and ZimbabweZimbabweZimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
- Caribbean Operations: Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
/HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
- Middle East Operations: YemenYemenThe Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
- Southeast Asia Operations: Timor-Leste
Ireland
Progressio’s work in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
is primarily focused on developing campaigning and advocacy work rooted in the work of Progressio in the 10 countries they support internationally. Progressio is currently working on a LiveSimply campaign that promotes environmentally and socially responsible lifestyles, as well as the Act Now on 2015 campaign in conjunction with Dóchas to increase Ireland’s foreign aid budget. Procurement
Procurement
Procurement is the acquisition of goods or services. It is favourable that the goods/services are appropriate and that they are procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs of the purchaser in terms of quality and quantity, time, and location...
of illegally logged timber in Ireland and the UK is also currently a focus of Progressio. In 2008, Progressio Ireland began to apply pressure to the Irish government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
to introduce ethical considerations into National Pension Reserve Fund guidelines after discovering the organisation had invested nearly €578 million in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
-linked companies, indirectly funding Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
’s regime.
Latin America
In Latin America, much of Progressio’s concentration is on the issues of resource managementResource management
In organizational studies, resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology...
, specifically water distribution and illegal logging
Illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission or from a protected area; the cutting of protected species; or the...
, which Progressio has likened to the illegal drug trade
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
in terms of how it is conducted and the damage it causes.
Africa
In Africa, Progressio Ireland’s work is diverse, ranging from food distribution efforts in MalawiMalawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The organisation focuses on improving illiteracy rates, especially among women, improving farming practices, broadening access to energy systems
Energy systems
There are three sources of Adenosine triphosphate , the body's main energy source on the cellular level.*ATP-PC system - This system is used only for very short durations of up to 10 seconds. The ATP-PC system neither uses oxygen nor produces lactic acid if oxygen is unavailable and is thus said...
, applying pressure to governments accused of human rights abuses, as well as other relief efforts.
Caribbean
Progressio Ireland’s work in the Caribbean focused on HispaniolaHispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
, and supports a bi-national approach to work in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. They seek to promote good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
in the region as well as ensuring that Haitians’ rights are respected on the Haiti/Dominican Republic border. Currently Progressio is focused on building up the strength of the work within Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, while maintaining the bi-national approach.
Middle East
In the Middle East, the current focus of the organisation is dealing with YemenYemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
. Specifically Progressio Ireland deals with HIV/AIDS awareness and documentation in the face of government obstruction, as well as increasing the role of women in society and protecting their rights.
Southeast Asia
Progressio’s presence in Southeast Asia is concentrated in Timor-Leste. Progressio Ireland works to maintain the peace process in this region following the Indonesian occupation of East TimorIndonesian occupation of East Timor
Indonesia occupied East Timor from December 1975 to October 1999. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, a 1974 coup in Portugal led to decolonization among its former colonies, creating instability in East Timor and leaving its future uncertain...
of 1975-1999. Their goal is to facilitate the establishment of a strong civil society capable of holding local and national governments to account.
External links
- http://www.progressio.ie
- http://progressio.org.uk
- http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum_en.html
- http://www.actnow2015.ie/campaign
- http://www.irishcatholic.ie/site/
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
- http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/pioneer-in-irish-foreign-aid-is-no-ordinary-charity-1903300.html
- http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0429/1224269286779.html
- http://www.ipe.com/news/Ireland_to_review_ethical_investments_28602.php
- http://www.irishcatholic.ie/site/content/catholicisms-best-kept-secret
- http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1102/1224257901697.html