Highlights 2013

A chronological review of the year featuring some of the key events, images and outcomes

 
 

New in 2013:
A book about GULL’s work @ www.gullonline.org/book

We began our work in October 2007 and today, GULL has participants in more than 40 countries. GULL is endorsed by numerous governments, leaders and institutions and the first book about GULL’s work explores the potential for lifelong action learning in support of community development. I hope that you will be inspired by this selection of personal highlights from 2013.

(Right) A new book about GULL’s work with rural communities explains the concept of lifelong action learning in the context of GULL applications in East Africa and Papua New Guinea.

 

 

 

East Timor and Cambodia (Jan), Nigeria (Feb)

One of the emerging themes of GULL’s work is involvement in projects that encourage marginalized young adults (aged 17-25) to discover and develop their talents. In January, we were pleased to recognize groups of youngsters in East Timor and Cambodia who had successfully completed practical life skills training.

Additionally, they were able to demonstrate the acquisition of skills that had equipped them to secure employment.

 

(Above left) Young adults prepare for a display of Timorese traditional dancing at their graduation event.

(Above right) For the past four years, church and community mobilization process (CCMP) founder Francis Njoroge and his colleagues have been training facilitators in Nigeria. CCMP helps communities to lift themselves out of poverty. The CCMP-GULL graduation took place on 22 February in Jos, Nigeria.

 

 

 

Malaysia
April-May

The Annual Malaysian graduation ceremony took place on 28 April in the Stateroom, Palace of the Golden Horses, Mines Resort City, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur. During the past 12 months, more than 100 people have successfully completed GULL pathways in Kuala Lumpur and significant expansion is occurring throughout the region.

The launch of Malaysia’s first professional Master degree for Beauty and Spa professionals took place at the Celmonze Aesthetic Academy in May. The affiliation with GULL had enabled Celmonze to implement a well regarded professional Bachelor degree and a number of graduates and other industry professionals have already registered for the Master degree pathway.

 

(Above left) A group of GULL Malaysia graduates celebrate at the annual graduation ceremony.

(Above right) Celmonze Academy staff and students at the professional Master degree launch meeting on 2 May.

 

 

 

South Africa
September

On 18 September a new book about GULL’s work with rural communities was launched at North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Co-authors Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt and GULL President, Richard Teare gave a presentation about the book at the launch event.

One of the goals of the South African administration is to improve educational access via non-traditional pathways. In this context, Engela van der Klashorst established a GULL pilot and cascade in consultation with the Ministry of Recreation and Sport. The pilot enabled students from the University of Pretoria to engage with several low income townships using the neutral medium of sport.

 

(Above left) Left to right: Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt co-author, Lesley Wood, Research Professor, North-West University, Bruce Damons, School Principal and PhD candidate and Richard Teare, co-author.

(Above right) Township participants in the GULL pilot led by students from the University of Pretoria.

 

 

 

Australia and Papua New Guinea
September

The Action Learning, Action Research Association (ALARA) is a strategic network of people interested in using action learning and research to generate collaborative learning and other outcomes. ALARA’s 2013 Australasian Conference also hosted a second launch event for the new book about GULL’s work.

 

(Above left) Maureen Todhunter (left) Copy Editor, Ron Passfield, ALARA, Richard Teare and Jo Anne Pomfrett (right) Proof Reader. The annual Personal Viability (PV) with GULL graduation event was held on 26 September, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea. For the first time, the event included the presentation of business account resources to 23 level 4 participants.

(Above right) Representatives from one of Papua New Guinea’s major banks pictured with PV- GULL level 4 participants – now directors of their own small business. This is a significant achievement for participants who rarely used money prior to PV – a process that facilitates self-reliance and financial independence.

 

 

 

St Maarten, Caribbean and the USA
October

On 19 October managers from Sonesta Resorts, St Maarten met for a GULL briefing and start-up that initially involves some 40 participants. Sonesta is the only all-inclusive resort company in St Maarten and has two properties and more than 700 guest rooms.

On 21 October, Mark Maloney, Division President, Eurest Dining Services USA, convened a meeting of his senior colleagues in Newark, New Jersey to design an innovative development program for his hourly team associates. This exciting new initiative starts in January, 2014.

 

(Above left) The Sonesta with GULL lead team in St Maarten

(Above right - from the left) Eurest senior leaders Bill Daley and Mark Gleason with Mark Maloney (Division President) Stephanie Maloney and Richard Teare. Eurest is part of Compass Group, a global food service company.

 

 

 

Jamaica, Caribbean and Mexico
October

Jamaica has led the way for GULL in the Caribbean region since 2009 with a range of service industry applications. On 23 October the current open group of GULL participants facilitated by National President, Norma Taylor, met in Montego Bay to celebrate recent outcomes.

Inspired by the attainments of its community volunteers in Tijuana, Mexico during 2011-12, A group of World Vision Mexico staff began their own GULL journey and met for a mid- point recognition event at the national office on 25 October. The group is led by the national Director of Operations, Carmen Pérez Gutiérrez and facilitated by Patricia Hartasanchez, Regional Life Skills Education Advisor.

 

(Above left) The GULL Jamaica open group. Richard Teare is pictured holding a copy of ‘Sweet Runnings’ a Jamaican Cookbook written by GULL graduate Pamella Powell.

(Above right) The World Vision Mexico with GULL lead team at the recognition event in Mexico City on 25 October, 2013.

 

 

 

Lebanon
November

World Vision has been active in Lebanon since 1975 when it began to provide shelter, food, and medicine for people affected by civil and regional conflicts. In the 1980s, World Vision Lebanon initiated its development work among various communities mainly through institutional projects and in 2013, with GULL.

‘Given the background of these volunteers, everything that happened yesterday was an ‘ah ha’ moment for us (World Vision) and for them. In my region (in the North) we have marginalized youth and this is the first time that anyone has said to them ‘I want to listen, I want to know what you think and acknowledge your peace-building work’. (Corinne Sakr)

 

(Above left) World Vision Lebanon volunteers at their mid-point graduation event on 3 November.

(Above right) The World Vision Lebanon with GULL lead team (from left to right) Corinne Sakr, Rita Chalhoub, Zeinab Karout, Richard Teare, Norma Wakim (team leader) and Elissa El Hassrouny.

 

 

 

Sri Lanka
November

In 2007, the South Asian Academy for Good Governance (SAAGG) was established in Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. In 2010, SAAGG affiliated with GULL to provide a continuing development pathway for holders of its proficiency proved honorary awards. The annual award ceremony – attended by more than 600 people - took place on 17 November.

 

(Above left) SAAGG recipients of GULL’s professional Master or Doctor degree, 17 November.

(Above right) Learning for Transformation (LfT) with GULL professional Master pathway level 3 Diploma recipients at the mid-point recognition event on 15 November. World Vision Lanka has integrated GULL with a train the trainer development process called ‘Learning for Transformation’ (LfT). This provides a system for learning, reflection and improvement and a chance to be recognized (via GULL) for making changes.

 

 

 

Kenya (Nov), Rwanda (Dec)

On 30 November staff and volunteers working with Compassion Kenya, Tearfund Kenya and World Vision Kenya gathered in the capital, Nairobi for the annual GULL graduation event. Many of the participants had travelled long distances to participate.

Tearfund Rwanda & Burundi is refining its methodology for community development. As a next step, the GULL system is being used to enable the lead team to address gaps in provision and to embed self-directed action learning in its approach to community partnerships and on-going country-wide development.

 

(Above left) Maasai participants in their traditional dress pictured with their GULL certificates.

(Above right) The Tearfund Rwanda & Burundi lead team pictured with Richard Teare at the GULL briefing and start-up workshop in Kigali, Rwanda on Monday 2 December, 2013.

 

 

 

Burundi and Malaysia
December

World Vision Burundi is piloting the integration of the GULL system with its on- going work to facilitate staff development and capacity building in selected partner communities. The GULL lead team of ten senior managers will additionally use the GULL system for personal and professional development.

SNE Marketing Sdn Bhd has achieved significant growth and success in South East Asia’s network marketing industry. Given GULL’s profile in the region, SNE decided to set-up SNE Academy in collaboration with GULL to provide more comprehensive training for its staff and associates.

 

(Above left) The World Vision Burundi lead team with Richard Teare at the GULL briefing and start-up, Bujumbura, Burundi on 6 December.

(Above right) Vincent Tang (second left) pictured at the launch of the SNE Academy, Malaysia, 7 December.

 

GULL is a non-profit public benefit corporation registered in California, USA. GULL’s mandate to confer professional awards is based on a statement of recognition offered in perpetuity and signed by the Head of State and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea on 10 April 2007. GULL is also endorsed by other Governments, Leaders and Institutions.

 
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