A goal of the Southern Africa Trust is for regional civil society policy work to be inclusive so that participation will be widened to include voices that are often excluded. Part of its mission is to:
- Widen engagement: facilitate dialogue amongst different interest groups and facilitate regional linking and learning about strategies for effective engagement in policy dialogue; and
- Impact on poverty: profile innovative practices and processes to promote learning about how to maximise the impact of the voices of the poor in policy dialogue, and create opportunities for inclusive policy dialogue to overcome poverty.
The values of the trust include:
Simplicity: The Southern Africa Trust believes that keeping its approach simple is an effective way to ensure that it is accessible and relevant. We believe that straight-forward, non-bureaucratic, clear and down-to-earth language, policies, and procedures do not compromise quality, but rather improve the quality and impact of work.
Approachability: The Southern Africa Trust will be as accessible and engaged as possible with all groups that have an interest in its work. It takes measures in all its work to build maximum participation and to ensure that everyone is free to express their views openly. The Trust will ensure that special measures are taken to present itself in the major international languages used in southern Africa.
The three major international languages used in southern Africa are French, English, and Portuguese. However, the trust is limited in the extent to which it can provide all its services equally in the major international languages used in southern Africa. The following principles will therefore be used to give operational expression to the relevant goals, mission, and values of the trust, giving consideration to the location of the trust’s operational centre in South Africa.
Guidelines for Multi-lingual Accessibility
- Language of operation of the board of trustees: English
- Language of operation in the office: English
- Language of operation of reference groups: English
- Official correspondence: English
- Publication of calls for proposals: French, Portuguese, English
- Submission of grant proposals to the trust: Portuguese, French, or English
- Website: primarily in English with primary information (e.g. organisational profile or policies) provided in Portuguese, French, and English
Recruitment of Personnel
Proficiency in all three languages of operation of the trust (i.e. English, Portuguese and French) will not be a requirement for appointment to a post in the trust. Proficiency in English is a necessary requirement for all staff. However, for frontline staff (such as receptionists) and communications personnel, proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is highly desirable and will be strong advantage. For other personnel, proficiency in Portuguese and/or French will be an advantage. The full staffing profile of the office should include the capacity for French and Portuguese communication. Staff development will include opportunities to learn to communicate better in French, Portuguese, and English.
Publicity Materials
As far as possible, all three languages (Portuguese, French, and English) will be used in the trust’s marketing materials, either by publication of translated documents or by use of multiple languages in a single publication.
Translation
- For major conferences or meetings of the trust, efforts will be made to provide simultaneous English, French, and Portuguese translation services.
- Documents (e.g. correspondence or submission of grant proposals) submitted to the trust in French and Portuguese will be translated into English for processing by the office.
- Translation services will be provided by outsourced service providers secured in a manner that is consistent with the agreed procurement policy.
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