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MPs support UEL student-run charity at House of Commons launch

Thursday 7 December 2006

Stephen Timms MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for International Development, gave their backing to a student-run charity at the House of Commons launch of its pioneering educational development programme on Monday 4 December.

Global Development Links (GDL) is an international development charity based at the University of East London (UEL). GDL works alongside regional NGOs and secondary school staff in Africa and South America to improve rural education in developing nations.

The organisation’s new TRY-IT programme, run in collaboration with Newcastle-based children's charity COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas), aims to offer vulnerable Tanzanian youth the opportunity to access crucial IT and vocational training.

Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, hosted the scheme's official launch in the Macmillan Room at Portcullis House. Stephen said: “Global Development Links is a wonderful organisation that reflects a very encouraging level of enthusiasm and dedication on the part of young people to improve the world.

“Every day – still – millions of primary school-aged children worldwide do not go to school. Urgent action is needed. That is the reason the UK is entering into 10-year agreements to help finance poor countries’ education plans. The TRY-IT programme is another important step and I wish it every success."

Ferdinand Gothard, Head-teacher at Mawella Secondary School in the Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania, flew in specially to attend the launch of TRY-IT, which is set to play a significant role in the development of his school.

Ferdinand said: “The pivotal role of education in national development can not be overstated. My school was founded in 2000, not by the government, but by local villagers seeking to offer their children opportunities they had not received themselves. It is our strong belief that education increases a person’s physical and mental freedom; it enhances our control of our lives and the environments in which we live.

“In today’s modern world, IT skills are a crucial tool of empowerment. Thanks to COCO and GDL, my school now has 30 computers, a printer and an overhead projector. Four months of intensive training has been delivered to my staff, and an additional six months of training will take place over the next three years. I believe the TRY-IT programme is one of the most sustainable and holistic approaches an NGO could possibly take.”

GDL was founded at the University of East London in 2004 and is now based in the Knowledge Dock Centre at UEL's Docklands Campus. All of the charity's projects are planned, researched and implemented by students on a voluntary basis.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, said: “I understand UEL provided the inspiration for this programme and I’m very pleased to witness the link between higher education and the work of NGOs. As a government, we recognise that education is one of the most effective tools to be used in the struggle against poverty, disease and corruption.

“GDL and COCO make a real difference to the lives of some of the millions of children worldwide who struggle to a receive a decent education. On behalf of DfID, I warmly welcome their new TRY-IT programme and look forward to hearing of the progress it makes in years ahead.”

Charles Milton (22), of Kennington, is the Director of GDL and a final-year student on UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Third World Development and NGO Management. Charles said: “Through the provision of IT equipment and training, GDL and COCO aim to provide rural Tanzanian youth with the opportunity to build marketable skills and generate their own income.

"By the end of 2007, we will have provided IT access to approximately 4000 students and training to approximately 135 teachers, enabling enterprise and skills to flourish in deprived rural communities.”

For further information on Global Development Links, contact John Bainbridge on 020 8223 7066 or gdlmail@gmail.com, or visit www.gdl.org.uk.

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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