CORPORATE RESUME
FOUR DIRECTIONS INTERNATIONAL
Four Worlds Consulting
347 Fairmont Boulevard
Lethbridge Alberta T1K 7J8 Canada
Tele: 4O3-320-7144 Fax: 403-329-4383
Email: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Four Directions International is a Canadian owned and operated Aboriginal
company with more than thirty years of experience in people - centered
development work in North and South America, Central
and West Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the former Soviet
Union. Four Directions International is the economic arm of the Four Worlds
International Institute for Human and Community Development. The primary
focus of Four Worlds1 and Four Directions' work is capacity
building of people and organizations for social and economic development
at the community level.
This work takes a variety of different forms depending on the development
sector and activities underway and the on-the-ground realities that comprise
the cultural focus as well as the economic and political context of the
work to be done.
Four Worlds is best known for its culturally based, participatory approach
to development and for its articulation of principles and processes guiding
sustainable development activities.
The following is an outline of Four Worlds' capacity and experiences.
1. Health
2. Education and Training
3. Community Development
4. Research, Assessment and Evaluation
5. Human Relations and Conflict Resolution
6. Organizational Development
7. Governance, Democratization and Civil Society
8. Economic Development
9. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
SECTOR
Health
Focus on Community Health Development addressing the determinants of health.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
Culturally-appropriate, community-based health research
-
Community health centre development
-
Community development
-
Primary health care
-
Health promotion
-
Health education
-
Community mental health (dealing with family violence, sexual abuse,
community conflict, youth in crises, community trauma recovery)
-
Substance abuse prevention and treatment
-
Elderhealth
-
Feasibility studies
-
Needs assessment
-
Program design and development
-
Training and mentoring
-
Management consulting
-
Monitoring and evaluation
-
Facilitating community involvement in health related to all services
and areas of focus
Experience
Both rural and urban projects
completed or still underway in all areas listed in many indigenous communities
across North America, with provincial public health authorities in Canada,
Africa, the Asian Pacific region and the former Soviet Union. We are well
known for our models and principles and for the excellence of our research,
writing and hands-on community work.
SECTOR
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
Focus on the design
and delivery of learning programs for human and community development,
and development-related capacity building.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
Distance and community based learning
Formal and non-formal programs
On-site, non-formal training
Design and delivery of capacity building
programs related to social and economic development
Accredited higher education programs
Curriculum research and development
Learning materials production
Indigenous and culturally-based programs
Teacher training and in-service
Community involvement in education
Adult training design
Monitoring and evaluation of education
and training programs.
Experience
Extensive experience for more
than thirty (30) years in all areas listed. We are well known for our prototype
curriculum materials, our training and capacity building work, our accredited
college and university level programs, and for excellence in culturally-based
approaches to education and training.
SECTOR
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
Mentoring the design and implementation
of community development programs and the community development component
of larger programs.
-
The delivery of a fully accredited
Certificate and Masters Degree Programs in Applied Human and Community
Development (in partnership with the California School of Professional
Psychology - programs can be set up anywhere in the world).
-
Design and the delivery of non-formal
capacity building processes in the community development and civil society
sectors.
-
Application of a community development
approach to various sectors of development activity including:
(a) Community economic development
(b) Primary health care and health promotion
(c) Civil society democratization and governance
(d) Environment and development
(e) Gender and development
-
Community based and indigenous knowledge
research
-
Monitoring and evaluation of community
development related programs.
Experience
Extensive hands~on experience
for more than thrity (30) years in many projects, in many cultures and
countries, both in facilitating on-th~ground processes, and in building
capacity. Extensive research and publication record related to this sector.
SECTOR
RESEARCH,
ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION
Focus on participatory community-based
and culturally-appropriate development assessment, evaluation and research
as well as policy and strategic research in support of people-centered
development.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
Designing and implementing research,
assessment and evaluation processes.
-
Co-facilitating (with organizations
and communities) participatory action research processes.
-
Participatory situation assessment,
program planning and evaluation.
-
Training professionals and community
leaders in particpatory action research methodology and practise.
SPECIAL SERVICES
-
The Community Story Process - This
is a participatory situational assessment process designed by Four Worlds/Four
Directions International to help a community or an organization to begin
to tell its development "story". This powerful methodology has helped
to catalyze grassroots changes and learning processes in a wide variety
of settings. In-depth documentation suitable for development assessment
and planning is one useful product that comes out in this process.
In addition to documentation, participants learn and are mobilized for
development action.
Experience
Four Worlds/Four Directions International
has some thirty (30) years of research related experience related to education
reform, community health, social policy reform, community development,
cultural foundations of development, civil society development, and a host
of practically oriented participatory action research initiatives. Our
experience in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, Latin America and indigenous
North America related to this sector has enabled us to develop our own
capacity to indigenize sound development work anywhere in the world.
SECTOR
HUMAN
RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Focus on identifying and addressing
the longterm root causes of dysfunctional human relations and conflict,
and promoting processes of healing and learning that makes it possible
for all concerned to move to higher ground.
-
Reconciliation and reconstruction
program planning and implementation after traumatic circumstances.
-
Human relations trouble shooting
in organizations and projects.
-
Mediation and conflict resolution
-
(a) within communities and
programs
-
(b) between local populations and
the dominant culture development,
-
development-related programming and
access to services.
-
(c) between communities and programs.
-
(d) between agencies and communities.
-
(e) between agencies and their partners
in collaborative ventures.
-
(f) between cultures and social groups.
-
Human relations training for development
related organizations.
Experience
The gradual emergence of mediation
and conflict resolution as a separate field of work abstracted from wholistic,
people-centered development processes made us realize that Four Worlds/Four
Directions International has been systematically working in that field
for more than thirty(30) years, particularly within indigenous communities
and with professional development agencies. Much of this work has been
a line of action within a larger, organizational or community healing and
development process. We have done this work in Papua New Guinea, Bolivia,
Ukraine, indigenous North America, (including Nunavut) and urban inner
city North America.
SECTOR
ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Focus on capacity
building of development promoting organizations across all sectors engaged
in people centered work, as well as in assisting public and voluntary sector
organizations to make critical cultural shifts and to learn new ways of
working for the benefit of the public good.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
360 degree situation assessment.
-
Learning to address critical environmental
challenges.
-
Visioning, policy development and
planning.
-
Designing evaluation and performance
measures.
-
Related development leadership training
and mentoring.
-
Implementation of new programs and
policies.
-
Shifting ways of working in support
of participatory development.
-
NGO and PVO evaluation and program
development.
-
Program audits.
-
Employment equity and labour relations.
Experience
Some thirty (30) years of extensive
experience working with national government ministries and departments.
Large and small departments, local, national and international NGOs in
Canada, the United States, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Bolivia, Mexico,
Rwanda, Benin, Zambia and within indigenous community systems the world
over.
SECTOR
GOVERNANCE,
DEMOCRATIZATION, & CIVIL SOCIETY
Focus on developing social capital
(trust, common values, healthy social relations, collective identity and
will, civic values, etc.) as the "software' of civil society, and on tailoring
democratic structures, governance mechanisms and organizational life so
that the primary purposes of promoting human well-being and prosperity
are not compromized, and are in fact enhanced.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
Strategic assessment, planning implementation,
training and mentoring, evaluation services related to:
(a) developing democratic systems
and structures that facilitate people and public participation in policy
and decision-making,
(b) strengthening the effectiveness
of projects aimed at the development of "civil society" and the voluntary
sector.
-
Capacity building of leaders, organizations
and work teams (government, NGO, PVO) to engage local populations as partners
in the development processes.
-
Capacity building related to improving
the effectiveness of government, NGO, and PVO collaborations.
-
Basic research related to uncovering
the cultural and historical obstacles as well as the cultural resources
(beliefs, practices, protocols, institutions, past innovations, etc.) that
function as antecedents to the development of "civil society" and democratic
systems.
Experience
Four Worlds/Four Directions International
has many years of experience in this sector through its community development
work, but has demonstrated a remarkable strength on working directly with
people at the grassroots community level, and connecting that work to existing
civil and governance structures. The range of cultural settings in which
we have worked is broad and spans the globe, including work in Africa,
Latin America, the Asian Pacific region, the former Soviet Union and both
indigenous and mainstream North America. We are currently partners in a
CIDA funded, four-year civil society program in Ukraine, and are also currently
involved in ground floor work in Canada's newest territory~ Nunavut.
SECTOR
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
A twin focus on macro enterprise
development and the fostering of community level micro-economic systems
in partnership with indigenous and other developing communities and groups,
as well as linking indigenous peoples in mutually beneficial trade and
development partnerships.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
BUSINESS INITIATIVES
-
Four Directions Enterprise initiatives are now
underway in the following areas:
-
Information and communication technology
transfer.
-
Herbal products development, manufacturing
and districution.
-
Environmental recovery technology
(reforestation, desalination, water retention, etc.)
-
Organic agricultural products development
and districution.
-
Elderhealth facility and program
development.
-
Learning material development and
production.
-
Cultural and eco-tourism.
-
Micro-Economic development Services
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Micro credit scheme development and
support.
-
Business development, technical support
to grassroots community organizations and groups.
-
Technical assistance to indigenous
products development.
Experience
In the past two years alone, four
Directions has launched a sucessful computer assembly operation (which
earned 3.4 million dollars in 1998/99), and herbal shampoo and conditioner
initiative and facilitated the creation of trade and development agreements
between Canadian Aboriginal people and indigenous peoples in Mexico and
Dominica. Almost thirty (30) years of development experience at the
grassroots level around the world has now been consolidated and channelled
into business related intiatives.
SECTOR
INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
Focus on bringing appropriate
information and communication technology to people, and bringing people
to the technology, particularly within indigenous and developing regions
of the world.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
-
Establishing small micro-computer
assembly and maintenance plants in developing regions and indigenous communities.
-
Distance education applications of
ICT.
-
Long distance telephone programs.
-
Establishing telephone call centres
in developing communities or regions.
-
Training and technical support relative
to use of ICT effectively in the process of development.
-
Research, assessment and evaluation
related to the appropriate application of ICT in development processes.
-
Internet sales.
SECTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Focus on bringing environmentally
friendly technology to people, and bringing people to the technology, particularly
within indigenous and developing regions of the world.
SUBSECTOR & SERVICES
Increasing plant and crop productivity
using little or no fertilizer, pesticide or fungicide.
Introducing a fast growing hardwood
tree
Revitalizing water and waste systems
Environmentally safe alternative
to asphalt for road construction
Decreasing odour ommissions from
animal waste
Increasing productivity in cattle,
hog and poultry operations
Experience
The relatively recent explosion of information and communication technology,
accompanied by a gradual deregulation of the sector in many countries has
opened the door for the marrying of Four Worlds' development experience
with Four Directions International's recent success in ICT manufacturing
(1998/99 sales were 3.4 million dollars). Current projects are underway
or are in the planning stages in Mexico, the Carribean and Canadian indigenous
communities.
For more information on Four Directions International click
here
Some of the People Involved:
Phil Lane
Jr., M.P.A., M.E.D.
Phil is a member of
the Dakota and Chickasaw First Nations and is an internationally recognized
leader in human and community development. Phil hasd extensive experience
in his own cultural traditions, is an award winning author and film producer
and holds Master's Degrees in Education and Public Administration.
His film credits include the National Public Television series, "Images
of Indians" with Will Sampson, "Walking With Grandfather", "The Honor of
All: The Story of Alkali Lake" and "Healing the Hurts".
During the past 30
years, he has worked with indigenous people in North and South America,
Micronesia, Thailand, Hawaii, and Africa. He served 16 years as Associate
Professor with the Faculty of Education and Founder and International Coordinator
of the Four Worlds Development Project at the University of Lethbridge
in Alberta, Canada. In July 1994, the Four Worlds International Institute
for Human and Community Development was established as an independent institute.
In July 1994, Four Directions International was incorporated as the economic
arm of the Four Worlds International Institute. Four Directions International
is dedicated to the development of sustainable economic enterprises that
support wholistic educational, social, cultural, environmental, spiritual,
and political development. Presently, Phil is President of Four Directions
International and serves as the International Coordinator of the Four Worlds
International Institute. Phil, also serves as Chairman of Four Directions
Information Systems (4DISC), an Aboriginal information technology business
initiative launched in December of 1996 and is a member of the International
Board of the WETV Corporation.
In 1992, Phil was the
first indigenous person to receive the prestigious Windstar Award, presented
annually to a global citizen whose personal and professional life exemplifies
a commitment to a global perspective, operates with awareness of the spiritual
dimensions of human existence and demonstrates concrete actions of benefit
to the human and living systems of the Earth.
Michael
Bopp, Ph.D.
Michael is currently
a director of the Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning, which is
dedicated to building the capacity of both government and non-governmental
sectors for organizational and community development.
Michael is a specialist
in participatory change and development processes, and is well known for
his innovative training, consulting and mentoring work related to helping
professionals learn how to work effectively with communities. He has twenty
years experience working with indigenous communities and development organizations
all over the world, and has worked in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific,
Africa, the former Soviet Union, and indigenous North America.
Michael has recently
designed and developed a masters degree level program in applied human
and community development through a joint venture between Four Worlds and
the California School of Professional Psychology in Fresno, California.
Michael has led many
program feasibility, planning and design, and monitoring and evaluation
projects. He has also published extensively and led thousands of hours
training on topics related to human systems transformation, community health,
and learning for social change.
Judie
Bopp, Ph.D. Candidate
Judie is currently
a director of the Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning. Judie is
a specialist in curriculum design and development and organizational transformation.
She is well known for her expertise in culturally based and experiential
learning, and has designed and written numerous learning programs for schools,
colleges and adult training programs.
She has provided training,
technical support and evaluation services related to program development
and organizational change to many different types of groups, ranging from
the ministries of national governments to small non-governmental organizations.
She has worked in Africa, the South Pacific, China, the former Soviet Union
and across North America. She has also provided technical support to many
Canadian and American professional organizations and indigenous communities.
Judie has recently
co-authored (with Michael Bopp) two books, the first related to community
based sexual abuse intervention and the other concerning building sustainable
community.
PUBLICATIONS
AND A.V. PRODUCTIONS
Four Worlds has produced a broad range
of development-related curriculum training materials and other publications.
Here is a partial list:
· Walking With
Grandfather Curriculum Package This six-part video and teachers guide
is a student-centered language arts program utilizing traditional Native
American storytelling heritage in identi~ing myth, the use
of symbols and mastering figurative language for the understanding of human
relationships.
· The Sacred Tree
This book illustrates the universal concepts, teachings and ancient disciplines
practiced by Native societies in conceptualizing the nature, purpose and
possibilities of human existence.
· The Sacred Tree
Curriculum Package Consists of a teachers guide, student copies of The
Sacred Tree book, seven resource books, four videos, posters and
other visual aids and games designed to facilitate the exploration
of through personal growth and interpersonal communication.
· Unity In Diversity
This comprehensive multicultural education program is designed to help
junior high school students develop an appreciation for the diversity of
the human family while at the same time developing the skills to work together
to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in their peer group, the school
community and the community as a whole. The curriculum package consists
of a teachers guide, a student text, and other learning resources such
as videos, games, posters and student worksheets.
· Moving Towards
Wholeness A substance abuse prevention training manual providing educators
with a basic model for the development and implementation of a school-based
prevention program involving parents, the community, resource people and
teachers.
· Learning For Life
A youth social skills training program targeting prevention and the development
of normative values and skills utilized in problem solving, decision making
skills, interpersonal and communication strategies.
· Recreating Native
Education This case study in program evaluation and design guides school
staff, adrninistrators, boards and community members in effecting a culturally
appropriate education program.
· Culture: The Ultimate
Curriculum This publication discusses the concept of
organic curriculum, the process by which all cultures learn to live
in relationship to the
universe. The paper highlights important implications
for education and educators.
· Taking Time To
Listen This publication describes a community-based research method for
assisting community members and front-line professionals in the development
of programs specific to the community's culture.
· Developing Healthy
Communities A wholistic framework is presented for development thinking,
followed by down-to-earth strategies for community~- level workers
and outside agencies implementing community development programs in healing
and self-development.
· Where Do We Go
From Here This document utilizes the medicine wheel in outlining
a
framework
for wholistic community planning and development, offering practical steps
needed to generate and empower public participation at every stage
of the planning and development process.
· Elder Health Manual
This practical manual is designed to assist community health workers,
mental health staff, home care nurses and workers, social workers, substance
abuse counselors, community volunteers and family caregivers in developing
effective community-based strategies and programs in promoting the health
and well-beirg of elders.
· The Four Worlds
Exchange A thematic journal for front-line field workers that shares ideas,
innovations, resources and technical information on 1) Youth and Development,
2) Beyond Alcohol: Native Communities in Recovery, 3) Economic Development
and Health, 4) Surviving the Front Lines, 5) Talking Responsibility for
Health, 6) Aids Prevention, and 7) Spirituality and Development.
· Towards The Year
2000 Offers a succinct summary of the history, philosophy, accumulated
practical experiences, guiding principles and founding vision of Four Worlds.
· Where We've Been
... Where We're Going This video chronicles Indigenous peoples experiences
in utilizing cultural traditions in substance abuse recovery.
· The Honor Of All
This now famous three-part video docu-drama chronicles the true-life journey
of the Shuswap people of Alkali Lake, British Columbia in their recovery
from the cultural and spiritual destruction endemic in alcoholic communities.
· Healing The Hurts
This dynamic video documents a culturally based healing process for understanding
and recovering from the traumatic experiences of the Indian boarding school.
· Recreating The
World A 300 page book offering a practical guide to building a sustainable
community, presents theories, models and analysis and learning resources
(stories, games, activities, etc.) related to community development practice.
To see the the resource catalogue for ordering any
of these materials click
here
CONTRACT
INVENTORY: SELECTED EXAMPLES
(1) Feasibility and Planning Mission
Related to Primary Health Care and Information and
Communication Technology in Benin,
West Africa (February/March 1997) International Development Research Centre
(IRDC), Ottawa. Contact, Gilles Forget (613) 616-2545 Sub-contract through
Inter-Delta. Contact, Allan Fuller (819) 777-1042
(2) Training Manual
Development and field testing of an introductory training
manual for Aboriginal Sexual Abuse Community Intervention Teams ~ov. 1996
- April 1997) Solicitor General Canada. Contact, Sharon McCue (613) 991-2023
Sub-contract throughInter-Delta. Contact, Allen Fuller (819) 777-I 042
(3) Training Manual
Development of a tralning manual focused on managing
sexual abuse disclosures in Aboriginal communities (March 1997 - October
1997) Solicitor General Canada, Contact, Sharon McCue (613) 991-2023 Sub-contract
through Inter-Delta. Contact, Allen Fuller (819) 777-1 042
(4) Canada - China University Linkage Project Planning
Mission
(October 1996) CIDA/Simon Fraiser University. Contact,
Dr. Glen Eyford (403) 459-4863 or Dr. Jan Wall (604)291-5021
(5) Mid-Term Evaluations of the Canada Ukraine Partners
Civil Society Program
(April 1997) CIDA (Canadian International Development
Agency) Contact, Maury Miloff(819) 994-1 739
(6) Save the Children Community Capacity Building Project
Training related to community development work with
Save the Children field workers for Native American communities in New
Mexico and Arizona (May - Nov. 1996) Contact, Alvin Smith (505)
786-7376
(7) Nunuvat Leadership Community Management Distance
Education Development
(June 1996 - March 1997) Contract with CCMD (Canadian
Centre for Management Development) Contact: Michele Smith (819)997-4199
(8) Community Health Development Planning
The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, NWT. Facilitating Participatory
Action Planning (PAR) needs assessment and community action planning process
for health development, training local providers in the processes and supervision
of the documentation of the research process and outcomes. (March 1997
- March 1998) Contact, Ms. Gerri Pflueger (819) 645-2467
(9) Development of an Accredited Field-Based Masters
Degree Program in Applied Human and Community Development
(July 1995 - June 1997) Funded by the Kellogg Foundation
(Battle Creek, Michig~) and developed in association with the California
School of Professional Psychology, Fresno California, Contact, Dr. Mary
Beth Kenkel, Chancellor (209) 253-2237
(10) Aboriginal Substance Abuse Community Prevention Training Manual
Development
and field testing
(October 1995 - December 1996) Contractor: Health
Canada, Health Promotion Branch. Contact, Michele Bourque (613) 957-3398
(11) Evaluation of CIDAJUNICEF Poverty Alleviation Project
(Education Component) in Thailand (1988) Contact,
CIDA Project Officer: Dr. Ray Obamsawan, Policy and Evaluation Branch 1-800-230-6349
(12) Municipal Leadership Training
Design and delivery of two modules of tralning (20
hours) for managers with the Municipality of Medicine Hat, Alberta. (May,
June 1997) Contact, Ms. Pat Jardine (403) 283-6044