Change Makers Programma

Commissioned by and in cooperation with Refugee Organisations (VON) Nederland, Martin Loeve has developed a training programme for administrators. This programme is based on his book ‘The Change Maker’ (De Change Maker®). A VON-Publication of this is soon to be released.

The national umbrella organisation Refugee Organisations of the Netherlands (VON, 400 affiliated organisations) is the spokesperson for refugees in the Netherlands. These refugee organisations promote the interests of those who for fear of their lives had to leave their own country and have fled to the Netherlands seeking safety and protection. The Netherlands is obliged to offer this protection on the basis of international treaties.

VON started with Change Makers in 2008. Hundreds of refugees were trained to become change makers via this programme line: inspirational leaders with guts who are able to change their own situation and that of others.

Central to the programme line is the Basic Change Makers Training that VON developed together with Delta Change Management, based on the book The Change Maker by Martin Loeve. Participants are given the tools necessary to develop and execute change processes within the framework of human rights. The participants learn how to analyse change forces and how to set out effective strategies that are relevant to their situation and possibilities.

VON effected a real “movement of change” within the refugee community. Men, women, young, old; change makers of all kinds started holding meetings about e.g. female genital mutilation, honour-related violence, forced marriage and homophobia. But they also influenced policy and public opinion on the participation of refugees in employment, on traumas of the youth and on the integration of newcomers.

More information: www.vluchtelingenorganisaties.nl