UNIFOS cares about Congo

 

Ludo Meyvis

The University Fund for Development Co-operation, or UNIFOS, was founded on 10 July 2009. In collaboration with Professor Mart Buekers, who was the vice-rector for Student Affairs and Internationalisation at the time, and Martine Dekoninck, head of the Development Cooperation Unit, Professor Marc Vervenne made a special effort to establish the fund before the end of his term in office as rector, as the crowning achievement of the development policy he had worked so hard to implement.

“UNIFOS is geared towards increasing the capabilities and facilities of universities in developing countries, amongst other things by awarding scholarships to students and scientists from these countries and assisting professors and students from Leuven who are interested in working in these countries to promote and foster development co-operation.”

“In the first instance, UNIFOS is directed specifically to Congo, but the ultimate intention of the fund is of course that it becomes much broader. For a long time, Congo has occupied an important place in K.U.Leuven’s commitment to development. It started with the foundation of the University of Lovanium in 1954 and has continued until the present day. The need for university and scientific progress and development is particularly acute in Congo.”

“There are most probably countries where we could earn a greater return for each euro spent. The demand that our contributions be profitable must certainly not be overlooked, but it is not the only criterion. Development co-operation in general, but especially when it is related to Congo, is based on a moral obligation to collaborate in bringing about a higher degree of justice in the world. One might even suggest that it is exactly the countries in which co-operation is the most problematic and where positive results cannot be guaranteed, at least not in the short term, that are the most appropriate partners. Indeed, that is where the need is felt most keenly and where the most work needs to be done!”

“Partner is precisely the right word. Development co-operation cannot be conducted in terms of one-way traffic; it must not be paternalistic. In a contemporary context, we presuppose mutual commitment and thus the forging of a mutual relationship. In point of fact, these relationships consist of much more than only the two partners of donor and receiver because modern development co-operation is only one element in a much larger network. The time of the individual benefactor is well and truly behind us. As a result, the entire framework of co-operation has undoubtedly become more complex, but on the other hand, there is much greater expertise to rely and fall back on; much more experience. Concretely, this involves K.U.Leuven’s collaboration with VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation, ed.), NGO’s, the government and international bodies. We must make a concerted effort to secure a larger range of possibilities and better results. One important factor in this process is that networking results in greater awareness, which after all is a key factor when it comes to any kind of development co-operation: whoever gives, feels and knows that this giving is necessary. This feeling and insight must be preserved.”

“In its first years, UNIFOS will be specifically focused on bringing Congolese students – in time the number of partner countries will be expanded – to Leuven for short research periods to prepare a doctorate. The research has to be conducted partly in the home country and partly in Leuven. The explicit intention in doing so is that once they have completed their doctoral studies, they will return to their country of origin. This can be contractually agreed upon, but we would also like to articulate this aspect clearly as a moral commitment.”

“Our goal is that these young researchers will form the essential basis for the rejuvenation of the academic context of Congolese universities. Indeed, there is an acute need there for the reinforcement of the critical mass.”

“One could say many things about Congo. The country suffers from a completely disintegrated infrastructure, its political life is frighteningly chaotic and its economy is at its last gasp. But on the other hand, there is a great deal of good to counterbalance these things: the population has developed great inventiveness and creativity to be able to survive in the midst of all this misery; the people are infectiously optimistic. These are aspects of the country we would like to contribute to with the fund we have established. We are convinced that the university community in Leuven, as well as across Flanders, nurtures a great desire to assist in this process. We will not forget Congo.”

“UNIFOS currently has a starting capital of 150,000 euro at its disposal, which comes from our Fund for Development Co-operation and from the first donation. The fund must now grow and derive means both from its own revenue, but especially from donations and bequests. Any and every contribution is very welcome, irrespective of its size. We are counting on the input of members of the university community and also very much on that of our alumni, many of whom have first-hand experience of development activities. They and others will undoubtedly wish to support their Alma Mater in Leuven in the fulfilment of its scientific and social duty to take part in development work actively and, as far as Congo is concerned, to collaborate in the reconstruction of the social and economic fabric of that country. The university formation of a competent, local intellectual class is absolutely essential in this effort and this is where UNIFOS intends to contribute all that it can.”

For more information

Send an e-mail to martine.dekoninck@int.kuleuven.be.