COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Webmaster noreply@aidworkers.net 4:38 PM (4 hours ago)

Dear friends of AWN

Aid Workers Network has a relatively modest heritage in the ever changing world of international development. Since its launch in 2002 the site has hosted discussions and brought experts and newcomers alike into the field of discussion on topics relating to humanitarian and development work.

We have had volunteers manage the site ever since its creation. This has facilitated and generated many excellent discussions and ensured that you as individuals have been able to engage with the site in security from the moment you sign up. This has also kept our overheads down to a minimum.

Time for change

As the world is changing in so many ways, AWN`s management have for some time considered the need to be more strategic in the way that the site is run. With the increase in other discussion sites on humanitarian and development topics, we feel that the site needs something else to carry it forward into the next generation. We therefore believe that we will have greater value if connected to another group with a similar goal. Relationships have been built up over the last few years with Devex, (www.devex.com) a specialist recruitment and career advice site for the development and humanitarian sector. In discussion with them, it became clear that one sensible option would be to house all the current discussions and information pages etc in one place. Given the scale of Devex's work, we felt that this would be best served within their systems.

What`s actually happening?

By the end of January 2012, AWN will no longer be a UK charity or Limited Company. Devex will become the new home for AWN, but the name and the visual display of Aid Workers Network will still appear on the website as usual. Management of the site will be assumed by Devex who will carry out all the day to day tasks as they are currently being done.

What does this mean for you?

In principle, nothing will change over the short term on the existing AWN site. However, as part of Devex`s family, you will receive a better, all-round linkage between the humanitarian field of work, and your personal involvement in it. You will also gain access to Devex`s resources on career and job advice, as well as the link to the other aspects of the site. There being different levels of engagement with Devex, you can choose to what level you would like to be involved.

Data protection issues - what about personal details?

To ensure that your details are protected, the assumption of responsibility for AWN by Devex includes an opt-in process for your membership. This means that you will need to agree that Devex will have the authorisation to contact you.

Do members have to do anything?

All you have to do is to decide whether you want to allow Devex to be the new contact point, and to then say yes or no for the access to be granted. After that, continue using both sites as usual. To get involved, click on the link below. Simple as that.

http://www.aidworkers.net/phplist/?p=confirm&uid=5b363334d45536be972e5dc924a32560

Anything else?

There may be other questions that you have that you want to have answered before the change comes. Please contact any of the board members to let us know your thoughts and if you have any questions. The best email address to get us on board@aidworkers.net

On behalf of the board

Mark Butler