Quick Links : "Creating Healthy Communities" : Promotion of Trade :Community/Linkage : CUR : Educational
Projects
The Florida West Africa Linkage Institute (FLAWI) has a well-recognized and
successful history of working with West African countries on linkage goals.
A range of cultural exchanges has occurred between the faculty and students
in those countries where exchange is appropriate. The three FLAWI institutions
have held symposia offerred by West African scholars. Several state universities
and community colleges throughout Florida, many of them initiated by FLAWI,
have conducted study-abroad programs. Projects and grants are currently in
progress.
One of the most notable is the Association Liason United States Agency for
International Development sponsored grant through the Association Liaison
Organization of University Developmental Council (ALO/UDC), in the sum of
$100,000, that FLAWI received to assist in the development of a community
health program in a regional university center in Senegal. This program has
been cited as a Presidential model for the whole of Africa.
Economic ties have been strengthened by providing seminars for Embassy economic
officers from West African countries and through sponsorship of a Students
In Free Enterprise (SIFE) project for the development of small business entrepreneurs
in Ghana.
"Creating Healthy Communitties" in Senegal
see USAID/ALO/UDC link
Promotion of Trade and Economic Development
One of the main thrusts of the Florida West Africa Linkage Institute has
been the promotion of trade and economic development in West African countries.
This was encouraged through the identification of existing and potential trading
partners between Florida and West Africa. That information was shared with
the business community and the West African economic advisors through their
Embassies in Washington, D.C.
FLAWI's model for collaboration with west Africa, and its proven success,
can provide the framework for mutually positive educational, cultural and
business exchanges as between the State of Florida and the entire continent
of Africa. It will be beneficial to Florida's internationalizing economy to
build on FLAWI's established ties to the African continent, an emerging market,
and an important part of the world community, which is home to 800 million
consumers and producers.
West Africa is an area of Africa with a large potential for economic importance
to Florida. Postcolonial African governments, many with stable economies,
are now seeking trade with the United States rather than with European countries.
West Africa's population is double that of Germany and 50% higher than that
of Russia. World trade figures show that the volume of trade with Africa as
a whole nearly doubled between 1980-1994. Africa's exports and imports continue
to rise, and businesses in the United States are becoming aware of this enormous
potential. top
Community/Linkage Partnership
LAWI was established in 1991 to serve as a linkage between sixteen West African
countries and the state of Florida. FLAWI is administered by the University
of North Florida (UNF), which is the lead institution; the Florida Agricultural
and Mechanical University (FAMU), and Florida Community College at Jacksonville
(FCCJ). The sixteen West African countries include both Francophone and Anglophone
countries. Within those countries, FLAWI has signed agreements with eight
universities and colleges, and has ongoing projects in several others. The
stae institutions of Florida have students enrolled from most of the sixteen
countries served by the linkage institute.
FLAWI is currently involved in implementing a federal grant (ALO/USAID) for
the project "Creating Healthy Communities in Senegal." This project is an
out growth of a FLAWI initiative that became part of the national movement
for educational reform in Senegal. The Regional University Center that was
established by Senegal in the region of Bambey is based on the Florida Community
College model and is being considered for replication within other West African
countries. top
Centre Universitaire Regional (CUR)
This partnership with the newly established Centre Universitaire Regional
(CUR) in Bambey and the Senegalese Ministry of National Education (MEN) was
formed to assist them in developing a community health program. This program
will train students to provide medical services and community health training
in medically underserved communities in Senegal. Faculty from the three educational
institutions in Florida - the University of North Florida in Jacksonville
(UNF), Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ), and Florida Agricultural
and Mechanical University in Tallahassee (FAMU) - provide programs to include
specialized training needs and technical assistance to help solve critical
problems of the region. These program also address important economic and
social issues, and contribute to enhanced cultural understanding.
Since their first visit to Senegal in 1994, FLAWI representatives have been
collaborating with the Senegalese Minister of National Education (MEN) to
help carry out educational reform at the post-secondary level. Ongoing exchange
visits have addressed the contribution that an American community college
model could make, if implemented in Senegal. Consequently, the MEN has begun
development of the CUR in Bambey, which will be the first Senegalese institution
of its kind to address education at the community level, and alleviate pressure
on the two national universities, while providing students in the interior
of the country access to local educational programs which address their local
needs.
The CUR, based on the Florida's Community College model, is envisioned as
an educational institution that will provide practical, instructional alternatives
affording students the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will have immediate
application and impact on the quality of life in the surrounding communities.
top
Educational Partnerships
In addition to the partnership with Senegal, formal Agreements have been signed with eight Universities in the countries of Cameroon, Ghana, liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Faculty exchanges and Study Abroad programs have been conducted in Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. top
contact
Florida West Africa Linkage Institute
University of North Florida ; 1 UNF Drive ; Jacksonville, Florida 32224
Telephone: (904)620-2475, Fax: (904) 620-3870
