Somali Progressive Association On behalf of the Management Committee and staff of Somali Progressive Association, Mr. Ahmed Hassan Arwo, Chairman and Mr. Abdikarim Abdi Adan, Director, are delighted to announce the successful project partnership with Wales National Assembly Government. This is a part of our continuous endeavor in realization of our strategic objectives of building a bridge between Somaliland and Wales. Following a series of fruitful visits of Somaliland leaders and personalities from all three political parties of Somaliland, arranged by this association, it come imperative to formalize officially our deep rooted century old relationship between the two nations: Somaliland and Wales. On light of this and as integral part of the recently launched Welsh Assembly Government Programme: Wales For Africa, the Wales Assembly Government agreed to fund a dedicated post based in SPA Centre, the Officer’s job profile is squarely and solely to develop potential partnership link projects between the three communities: Somaliland Community in Wales, Welsh society at large and Somaliland. The project period of funding extends to two years.

This project will take lion’s share to the accomplishment of the Wales for Africa objectives. On the other hand, it’s involvement of local communities will enhance achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals in Somaliland.

The project entails to:

■ Promote and arrange twinning of at least one Welsh community where Somalis live with a community in Somaliland of a similar size. This scheme could be supported with technical assistance by the WAG funded Gold Star Communities scheme.

■ Promote and arrange twinning of Schools within the identified communities in cooperation with the British Council and DfID.

■ Promote and establish twinning NHS Wales’s institutions with facilities in Somaliland.

■ To work with the widest possible number of Welsh Somali community groups and individuals, local authorities, schools, hospitals, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Civil Society Millennium Development Goals Task Force, WCVA, the British Council and International Development NGOs.

■ To investigate viability of volunteering amongst the Welsh Somaliland population and identify partnership opportunities with overseas volunteering organizations.

■ To raise awareness within the Somali Community of twinning schemes and the opportunities of volunteering overseas in Somaliland.

Background

The Somali Progressive Association (SPA) is a community based organization which was set up in 1988 as a registered charity. With the support of the statutory bodies particularly, the City and County of Cardiff Council and voluntary agencies members of the community founded the SPA on voluntary basis till grants were secured.

A small team of paid staff and volunteers, based at the Somali Advice and Information Centre in James Street, Cardiff Bay, are charged with delivering SPA services to members of the community.

Ahmed Hassan Arwo Abdikarim Abdi Aden

The Chair Director

aharwo@gmail.comaka_adan@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile : 07828675333 Mobile:- 07974120862