International Collaboration

The Badi Foundation collaborates with various international grant making organizations to fund its work and operation in China. The Foundation is a member of the 'Development Learning Association', an international network of non-governmental organizations based in Luxemburg. As a result the Badi Foundation benefits from sharing expertise, technology and human resources.

The Center for Curriculum Development
Materials developed by the Center for Curriculum continue to gain wider use in 2003. To respond to the growing interest in the Hidden Gems Early Childhood Education program, the Badi Foundation established a collaborative agreement with the Santitham Foundation in Thailand, enabling it to not only continue to use the Hidden Gems materials in both Thai and English but also to serve as a training center for other institutions seeking to use the materials. A letter of intent for a collaborative agreement with the Civilisation Advancement Centre in Malaysia, was also signed.

Response to the youth empowerment material Walking the Straight Path was also very encouraging. Part of a series of books aimed at empowering junior youth between the ages of 12-15, Walking the Straight Path is now being used in India, Japan, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Colombia.

Participants from the MDC in the basic
social enterprise and facilitator course

The Mongolian Development Centre (MDC)
The Social Enterprise Program has been used by MDC as a main training program for all its projects. In January 2003, Badi Foundation Beijing Office's trainer conducted a 7-day workshop to 16 participants from Darkhan and Baganuur district, UNICEF staff, and members of the "Young Lions" Youth Association, a NGO from Ulan-Ude, Buryatia of the Russian Federation. The training includes a basic Social Enterprise course and a Facilitator Training course. A one day workshop was also conducted for 35 leaders from Darkhan district.

On the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolian Development Centre, a Gratitude Certificate was presented to Badi Foundation.

In November a planning and vision building workshop was conducted by Badi Foundation's trainer for MDC management and staff.This workshop has helped MDC greatly.

Teachers of the Ruaha School in training

Ruaha Secondary School, Tanzania, Africa
In 2001, the administrator of the Ruaha School invited the Badi Foundation to conduct a 7-day in-service training on participatory education. At that training, 30 teachers of that school studied the Foundation's "Enhancing the Learning Environment" course.

Over the past three years, the Foundation's trainer has made semi-annual visits of two-week duration to the Ruaha Secondary School. During these visits the Foundation contributed to the following activities:

1. Further training in participatory principles for teachers
2. Management training for teachers and non-academic staff in management positions
3. Ongoing consultation with teachers and students concerning the progress of their 5-year plan to enhance the learning environment
4. A peer-observation program for teachers
5. Development of a leadership program for youth
6. Development of a program for non-academic staff to enhance their ability to work in teams.

During the August 2003 visit, the Ruaha School and the Foundation agreed on a plan to enhance the learning environment, in order to allow the staff and students to take ownership of this program. With ownership, the Foundation only needs to visit the school once during the final two years of the plan.

When students were asked how participatory principles have influenced their work in class, they commented that they understood better when they work in groups. It helps them score higher marks.

Even quiet students started to participate when working in small groups. After the August, 2003 visit, Becky Fairley, the school principal, made the following comment to the Badi Foundation: "Thank you again for your continued care and service to our school. Your work here continues to make such a difference in the attitudes as well as in our teaching and learning methods."

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