Development Services Exchange (DSE) is a national NGO umbrella body established in 1984 to facilitate and coordinate development services for NGOs and their partners. DSE was one of the first national NGO focal points to be established within the Pacific region and for many years was a leading model for NGO coordination, networking and capacity building. In 2000, however, as a combined result of the national political crisis, internal management problems and a lack of funding, DSE operations came to a sudden halt, remaining that way until 2002 when local efforts to revive the organization saw the election of a new Executive Committee.
In February 2003, with funding and technical support from AusAID, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and the Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI), DSE initiated an extensive leadership training program targeting NGO and community leaders throughout the country. The initiative was an important catalyst in current efforts to rebuild the organization and reconfirmed DSE’s critical role in mobilizing and strengthening civil society.
In 2005, NZAID stepped in to support DSE by committing to the provision of funding for core operational costs for the period 2005-07. Their commitment and support over this period and beyond into 2008 has been extremely significant to the survival of DSE in this period. In 2007, a major loss of staff was another crisis for the organisation, and while new staff have now been appointed, some of the momentum has been lost. With the election of a new Board at the end of 2008 and the beginning of a new year, DSE is committed to take the opportunity to rebuild the organisation and to improve its services to members and thereby contribute to community and national development in Solomon Islands.
DSE Vision
A vibrant and robust NGO sector, that works together to empower peaceful, prosperous and sustainable communities towards improved quality of life and raised living standards.
DSE Mission Statement
To strengthen effective NGO coordination. This will be achieved through advocacy, collecting and sharing information, capacity building and enhancing relationships with members and stakeholders. This will ensure accredited, accountable and transparent NGOs and Community Organisations working towards equal and sustainable development.
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Focus areas |
Achieved by |
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Sharing information Coordination and production of information in relation to civil society issues, programs and relationships |
Facilitating a range of activities and opportunities which involve the sharing of relevant and timely information, experiences and ideas among NGOs and with others interested in civil society, as well as producing training and education materials for NGOs |
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Networking and collaborating Promotion and support for collaboration between NGOs and others |
Initiating and supporting events which enable NGOs and others to work cooperatively on activities which contribute to shared inter-agency goals, including the coordination of volunteers, for example in post disaster settings |
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Informing and partnering Provision of information and advice to policy makers on issues that affect community life and the work of NGOs |
Identifying and organizing opportunities for NGOs to influence development policies in relation to community development, broader national development issues and other issues affecting the work of NGOs |
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Learning for improvement Contribution to capacity development among members and within DSE |
Identifying, initiating and promoting opportunities for DSE staff as well as the staff and boards of NGOs to gain new knowledge and skills, improve their Organisations’ practice and performance and strengthen their leadership in Solomon Islands development |
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Modeling the way Setting a good example of organisational management to its members |
Managing DSE in a professional way, applying the agreed principles and values in its governance, day to day management, relationships with partners and members and all its work. |
Objectives related to each of these 5 areas are provided next.