By Bineta Ba
Director, Partnerships and International Development
Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation, Quebec, Canada
It was a great pleasure to accept Tostan’s invitation to attend the “Hearth Summit,” an event held from October 7 to 9, 2024, in Thiès (Senegal), bringing together hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds, all united by a common vision: contributing to the building of strong, resilient, and supportive communities.
The event, centered around the theme of intergenerational dialogue, entitled “Eldership and Youth: An Intergenerational Conversation on Wellbeing,” saw the participation of a strong delegation of young African leaders eager to make their voices and aspirations heard while drawing upon the wisdom of their elders, who were also present.
As a panelist, I had the opportunity to take part in a rich discussion on the paradigm shift in funding, particularly regarding the role of local actors in development efforts that impact their communities. While this issue is not new, it has gained momentum in recent years through numerous debates on the localization and decolonization of aid. Recognizing the full contribution of these local organizations is the choice made by those participating in the panel, who shared their successes and challenges in this effort to rebalance power dynamics.
As a partner and actor in international solidarity (we work in Senegal, Mali, Uganda, Haiti, Peru, and Ecuador), the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation aligns with this movement while acknowledging the unique role and expertise of international NGOs in the field, with whom it has partnered for over 30 years. During the discussions, we were able to share our work with Tostan. This collaboration takes the form of a consortium that includes young Senegalese organizations dedicated to unlocking the full potential of women and girls. The partnership is new, but we are hopeful that it holds the potential for greater impact. Together, we will go further!
The Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation (FMJC) https://fmjc.org/ is a private family foundation established in 1991. It works to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable in our society, both in Quebec and in developing countries.
More information on the Hearth Summit: https://tostan.org/training-sharing/the-hearth-summit-thies-2024/
Photo credits: Houdou Mabo Diong, Head of communications at AMFE