The International Program: Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Why Does PPNNE Do International Work?
PPNNE's International Program takes the knowledge we gain throughout northern
New England and applies it globally, offering facilitation, education, technical, medical,
and managerial training to family planning professionals worldwide. As a rural,
multi-site, multi-state organization, we share many of the challenges of our counterparts
internationally. And, as a sister organization committed to serving reproductive health
needs, we share in the knowledge that increasing the ability of all people to control
their own lives will lead to stronger, healthier families and a better world. Over time,
as our international work has increased, we have gained confidence in our growing role as
a participant in the international family planning movement.
Our Work in Russia and the Newly Independent States:
What We Have Done!
In Yaroslavl
we helped the Centre for the Formation of Sexual Culture, a secondary school which
provides week long sexuality education programs to students from 20 schools, develop a
peer education program, enhance their teaching style, and increase their capacity to
manage and sustain their organization. After working with PPNNE for two years, the Centre
has become a resource to other professionals interested in providing sexuality education
to young people and their parents. Educators, psychologists, and doctors from other parts
of the NIS visit the Centre to observe their programs and attend workshops. "From
Heart to Heart" the peer education program trains and supports approximately 30 teens
each year. These innovative and energetic students then staff a hotline, act as peer
counselors in their schools, and create and perform teen theater in schools and other
sites where young people congregate. After the completion of our two year partnership, the
Centre continues to receive Ministry of Education funding, has applied for funding from
various foundations, received a small grant from Ben & Jerry's, and markets its
training workshops to schools and other organizations.
In Novosibirsk
PPNNE trainers have worked with ARIADNA, the women's club of FINIST, an advocacy
organization for people with disabilities. With training and support from PPNNE's
Education and Training Department, ARIADNA women now facilitate support and sexuality
education groups for women with disabilities, provide counseling at a trauma center and a
polyclinic in Novosibisrk, staff a resource center, and advocate for services for the
disabled. Using skills learned while working with PPNNE staff, ARIADNA has written grants
and received funding to underwrite their workshops.
Throughout Russia
we are working with the Russian Family Planning Association (RFPA), the IPPF
affiliate in Russia. Using PPNNE as a model, RFPA and PPNNE staff are developing
management systems and skills, appropriate to Russia, so that the 6 regional centres and
50 affiliates can work together productively. PPNNE also is assisting the 6 regional
centres develop into training sites and resource centres, in order to provide
contraceptive information to doctors and midwives.
In Ukraine
at a World Learning sponsored conference for NGO leaders, the Director of PPNNE's
International Department facilitated discussions about the importance of advocacy and
fundraising within the NGO.
In Novosibirsk
at another World Learning conference for women NGO leaders, PPNNE facilitated an advocacy
workshop where the participants designed their own advocacy campaigns and developed a
workbook for use in their own communities.
For more information:
The International Program
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
51 Talcott Rd
Williston, Vermont 05495
Tel: 802/878-7232
Fax: 802/878-8001
