February is African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia! Click here for full details, located on the African Nova Scotian Affairs website..
The theme on this year's poster is “Leading Ladies, Lasting Legacies,” which profiles six African Nova Scotians who have committed years of hard work to moving the African Nova Scotian community forward. As educators and community workers, they understood the meaning of involvement, dedication and commitment. They represent the history of working together for the longevity of communities.
The Ujamaa initiative represents the continuation of that legacy:
What is the definition of the word 'Ujamaa'?
Ujamaa is the fourth of seven principles of Nguzo Saba that guide how we should relate to one another and how we should build our lives and shape our future.
The Ujamaa initiative is the development of a comprehensive and integrated approach that recognizes the importance of economic progress of the African Nova Scotian community. It is here where Nova Scotia’s most influential leaders from the African Nova Scotia (ANS) Community and the Greater Halifax Partnership work together to support the ANS community in reaching its full potential.
Ujamaa’s Obectives:
- Positive change through and integrated and formative approach
- Capacity building, through leadership and organizational development
- Creating opportunities for high level engagement and conversations between community groups, institutions, and government
- Alignment and partnership through the mutual support and understanding of between community leaders
- Outcomes measures, that allow the community to see its own progress, and determine its directions
Greater Halifax Partnership’s work in Community Economic Development recognizes the active participation of all members of the community in planning initiatives that impact community growth and prosperity. Ujamaa is an example of how the Partnership builds linkages and connections between communities and sectors, recognizing that issues cannot be addressed in isolation.
Just like the six women in the provincial African Heritage poster, who collaborated with their communities to make great contributions to all African Nova Scotians, so does the Ujamaa initiative.
Carolann Wright-Parks is Manager of Community Economic Development at Greater Halifax Partnership.
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