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What We Do
Poverty and inequality are the main challenges we
face as a country. According to government sources, a third of Mexicans
can hardly afford having a proper diet or accessing health and education
services. While wealth keeps concentrating in a small group of people,
the consequences of these problems –such as insecurity and
social discontent– affect us all deeply.
In this context, different sectors of society
are taking action to help improve the situation. Governments have
given greater emphasis to social policies and are allocating more
resources to social programs. Political parties have also taken
these issues into account in the formulation of their proposals.
On the other hand, the number of citizens who have organized themselves
to carry out activities to help those who live in conditions of
poverty is ever increasing. Nonetheless, while these changes are
encouraging, there are still obstacles that hinder the country’s
social development:
- Those who are involved in social issues, both
in the public sector and in civil society organizations, work
with commitment and good will, but with limitations resulting
from their improvisation and a lack of reflection on their work.
- There are few specialized educational and training
courses to help these practitioners improve their analysis and
work. Even though there is quality research on social issues in
the country, it is seldom grounded on concrete proposals that
could help in the decision making process and the formulation
of possible solutions to social problems.
- Practitioners working in the social sector lack
the resources needed to keep abreast of the latest trends in the
field.
- Young professionals with experience and graduate
studies, who could contribute their knowledge and their work,
have a hard time finding professional opportunities in the sector.
- Among youth, poverty and inequality produce unrest,
creating resentment and risking the adherence to radical social
change propositions that can polarize the political options and
actions available for alleviating poverty.
Alternativas y Capacidades, A.C. was formed to contribute
to the solution of these problems. Since 2004, it is registered
before the Treasury Department and it is authorized to receive tax
deductible donations and since 2005, it is registered in the Federal
Register of Civil Society Organizatons.
OUR MISSION
Contribute to social development through training, research on social
issues and capacity building efforts directed at those involved
in social policy.
OUR GOALS
- Professionalize human resources through theoretical
tools and shared experiences that support attaining knowledge
on social development issues.
- Encourage reflection, research and dialogue
on processes and experiences directed at improving social conditions,
by building enduring channels of communication.
- Help NGOs increase the impact of their work
by supporting their strategies, projects, and networking efforts
with the private and public sectors.
- Develop innovative fundraising tools for social
development projects from both the private and public sectors,
by promoting solidarity with those groups who are most in need.
OUR FOCUS
We are committed to working in interdisciplinary
teams. Those of us who collaborate with the Association have a strong
academic background, driven by practical knowledge for making decisions
and achieving outcomes. Our added value is our ability to create
synergies among different goals and projects, taking advantage of
our knowledge on certain issues to inform and strengthen our work
in other areas.
We work in three different areas, generating alternatives
and developing capacities for social development:
- Training on development
and social policy
We offer training programs for civil servants and NGO staff with
the goal of professionalizing mid- and higher level government employees
who make decisions regarding social policies, and to allow civil
society organizations to participate in the process, working with
the government for the public good.
- Capacity building for development
Having researched supply and demand for capacity building services,
we conceptualized our own model and approach, with the intention
of helping the different actors who are involved in social policy,
particularly civil society organizations and donors, improve their
performance in terms of impact, planning, evaluation and participation
in the public sphere.
- Research, networking and
sharing valuable experiences
We carry out short research projects in order
to systematize and disseminate specialized knowledge in a manner
that is accessible to professionals in the field. We publish this
work through booklets, news clips newsletters and web-based discussion
groups.
Alternativas has collaboration agreements
with UNAM, El Colegio de México and ITESM-CCM to allow students
from these institutions to carry out their social service work and
internships in the organization. We actively participate in research
seminars about NGOs, public policies and social policy, and take
part in the selection of valuable projects for the Local Government
Award granted by CIDE and the Ford Foundation. We also review projects
submitted to the Social Co-investment Fund sponsored by INDESOL
and participate in the Social Development Council sponsored by the
government of the state of Jalisco. |