Community Engagement at UJ forges partnership to uplift Soweto communities

In an effort to empower Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) through UJ’s Student Volunteer Programme, Professor Ian Bruce, the President of the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at the City University of London, addressed more than 80 members from various CBOs and NGOs at an event held in the Protea Auditorium on the Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus on Tuesday, 11 March 2014.

During the gathering, a new partnership agreement was established between members of the different CBOs, NGOs and the University, which is aimed towards empowering residents within the Soweto community. The Student Volunteer Programme at CE seeks to build partnerships between the University and other organisations in an attempt to engage more effectively with communities, by providing services and skills which they need.

Prof Bruce shared practical tips on how to put strategic and business plans in place; how to apply for funds from large donors and investors; and how to identify strengths and weaknesses in their organisations, as well as opportunities and threats from the outside.

Bruce said the systems by which these specific CBOs function could broadly be compared to the matter in which a forest works. “One could make one’s own plans on how things should preferably happen, but the possibility of other elements bringing about minor changes, is considered and accepted,” he said.

Although not South African, Prof Bruce and his wife Tina, are very involved with community based projects in the country and dedicate much of their time to uplifting disadvantaged communities in South Africa