Amie Cotta

Axis - NGO for development and education

Axis is a Danish NGO founded in 1995. Focus areas are education, organisational development and sustainable development in third world countries. Recently focus has broadened to include reproductive health and ecological farming. Each year Axis sends volunteers and interns to the partner organisations in third world where they help make a profound difference in people's lives. In line with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26 Axis considers education a human right. Therefore education is an aim in itself. With improved education individuals have better possibilities for finding employment and escape poverty. But education can also be an instrument to develop self-esteem in students so that they become capable of organizing themselves, participate in democratic processes and fight for their rights, collectively or individually. Axis works for and with an understanding of development that is based on the experiences of the target group, on its language and culture, and on active learning processes, participatory methodologies and dialogue. Currently Axis implements projects in Peru, Bolivia and Ghana. The organisation of Axis combined with its small size ensures that money is spent directly within the projects and not on bureaucracy. It is easy for members and activists to enter Axis and make a tangible difference. As of 2010 Axis has more than 350 members, 4 part-time employees and a board of 9 members.