Peacebuilders
RTC and Skillshare International - working together for peace and development
12 January 2010
RTC is pleased to announce that at the end of 2009 we formed a strategic partnership with Skillshare International based on our shared core values of peace and international understanding.
Since 2001 RTC and Skillshare International have collaborated on programmes that have sought to link approaches to development and conflict transformation, including the Integrating Development and Conflict Transformation (IDCT) project for which DFID provided £1.5 million of funding. For both organisations, this partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen the connections between the two approaches across all our programmes and ways of working.
Over the last two years, RTC has been working hard to reposition itself as a programmatic organisation, shifting the focus of its work from UK based training courses to long-term programmes of support and learning with partners in situations of conflict. Making this shift in the current international financial climate has meant that RTC, like many small organisations, have found it increasingly difficult to find funding to cover its support costs. By working more closely with Skillshare International, RTC has been able to make significant reductions in its overheads and ensure that more money is spent on enabling local people to build peace with justice in their own communities.
In making these changes, the RTC Trustees resolved to stand down, and to pass the responsibility for governance of RTC to Skillshare International, whose Trustees and staff have considerable experience within the fields of development and peacebuilding. In addition, sadly, Catherine Sexton has stepped down as RTC's Chief Executive. We would like to take this opportunity to thank both RTC's former Trustees and Catherine for their hard work and commitment to RTC and the many people with whom we work.
In the coming year, RTC will sustain and build on our vision of a more peaceful world where local people are at the heart of the peacebuilding process. We are currently developing programmes and building partnerships in Africa and Asia where we will work along side partners and their communities to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence to create and implement strategies for peace. RTC's approach to conflict transformation will continue to be an integral part of these programmes and will be promoted through its consultancy and training work with organisations and individuals working in conflict contexts.
RTC's Peace and Conflict Advisor Joan McGregor said, "This partnership is an important step forward in recognising that lasting peace and development cannot happen in isolation from each other - and that even in times of financial uncertainty, as long as there are people committed to working for a better future a way will be found to make it happen. I am confident, that by working together, we can achieve so much more."
Staff are now looking to the year ahead and believe that this is a positive and natural way forward to ensure that both RTC and Skillshare International are able to meet the changing needs and challenges of the next decade.
We hope very much that you will continue to support us as we take these exciting next steps.