DFID Blogs Website

Just over twelve months ago we were frantically getting the first set of DFID Bloggers up to speed on using WordPress and the difference between blogging and drafting briefing documents.  We were working hard to make sure they had posts up in time for Blog Action Day.

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

Last year it was on poverty and therefore very relevant to DFID’s agenda.  This year – today – the issue is Climate Change.  Again DFID has Climate Change very high on it’s list of priorities.  They are working to help advise the developing world on how to reduce their carbon footprint and supporting it in dealing with the effects of climate change.

So we’ve been working with a group of DFID staff working on Climate Change to get them started this week and to keep them going in the run up to Copenhagen in December and hopefully beyond.

But it isn’t just the Climate Change group that are contributing to Blog Action Day.  Already Sarah Sanyahumbi has posted about late monsoons in Nepal and Neil Squires reflects on how the floods in 2000 that left much of Mozambique underwater make the country understand the need to be prepared better than most.

Martin is one of the DFID bloggers that we’ve been coaching.  He’s recently arrived in Kigali, Rwanda as Head of DFID Rwanda.  He’s just published a post called Dear Olly that drives home the human nature of the work that DFID in the developing world.

The post is really well written. It is personal. It links the UK with Rwanda.  It explains part of DFID’s important work in the country. It gives you hope that things are improving.

Please go read it, tell your colleagues to read it and tell your bosses to read it.  Then read some more of the DFID bloggers.  They are doing a fantastic job of telling the story of DFID’s work in a real and human way.

(Cross-posted from www.gallomanor.com)

The idea of providing coaching does seem to be gaining traction amongst local authorities. We’re putting together two proposals for community engagement sites this week and both have asked for coaching.

There is more information on this site about the coaching programme we offer.  Use the menu link or the rather large button on the right.