Frequently Asked Questions About SAP Canada

• Who is SAP Canada?
• Where does SAP Canada work?
• Who are the SAP partners?
• Is SAP Canada a funding organization?
• What kind of staff positions does SAP Canada have?
• Are there internship and summer employment opportunities?
• What happens to your curriculum vitae?
• How does one become a member of SAP Canada?
• Are there volunteer opportunities available at SAP Canada?

Who is SAP Canada?

SAP Canada draws on experience and ideas from South Asia and brings them home to Canadians. SAP Canada is a forum of Canadian organizations that, together and with South Asian partners, works for sustainable human development in the region. Established in 1983, SAP encompasses a wide range of organizations. It has 22 member organizations, primarily international development NGOs working in South Asia, plus a much larger constituency of NGOs, social justice groups, universities, research and policy institutes, South Asian Canadian groups and consultants in Canada. Among the issues and themes on which SAP Canada has worked are:

• human development,
• local governance,
• community action,
• strengthening civil society,
• peace,
• human rights,
• livelihoods, and
• listening to people in poverty

 

Where does SAP Canada work?

In Canada:
SAP Canada’s activities in Canada aim to increase learning and networking among other organizations about South Asian development issues. It determines its initiatives according to their value for public engagement with civil society and policy advocacy. With this base of activity in Canada, SAP encourages others to devote attention to and act on South Asian development themes. It facilitates linkage, cooperation and support for SAP International, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, SAP national organizations and other partners in the region.

In South Asia:
SAP Canada’s programming is solidly grounded in the work of partner organizations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

 

Who are the SAP partners?

SAP Canada’s membership in SAP International is essential to SAP Canada’s programming. The SAP organizations in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all autonomous, well-established, national organizations in their own countries. With the common goal of poverty eradication and sustainable, equitable development in South Asia, all SAP organizations work to build strong grassroots communities that can determine and manage local development programs and contribute to public policies. SAP organizations in Asia provide a range of institutional strengthening and community development services to several thousand community-based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs in the region.

Their programs include organizational development and technical training, network building, and support to community planning and projects. In recent years, with the growing capacity of local partners, this work has extended to an emphasis on advocacy, communications, participation in local governance and cooperation with mainstream institutions. On a regional level, SAP organizations share experience, learn from successful models in the region, and undertake collaborative programs on issues affecting people’s development in South Asia.

SAP Canada taps directly into this learning, particularly through its forums and linkage activities. The expansion of SAP programs from community projects to issue-oriented activism and linking with other organizations and networks has its parallel in Canada with a broadening of SAP Canada’s network. This evolution has created many new opportunities for linking Canadians with South Asia. As part of the SAP network, SAP Canada meets and communicates regularly with its partners to determine policy and program priorities, share experience, coordinate programs and function as a unique South Asian – Canadian network.

 

Is SAP Canada a funding organization?

SAP Canada is not a donor agency and is not able to provide project funds. We organize forums and workshops, linkage and exchange programs, communications and South Asian support activities in Canada. The first three areas focus primarily within Canada, drawing heavily on cooperation and experience from South Asia. The fourth area is SAP Canada’s anchoring of and connection to development activities in the region. Our partner organizations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka are not funding organizations but they may be able to provide useful advice.

 

What kind of staff positions does SAP Canada have?

SAP Canada’s Secretariat of nine people is located in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. We have two senior staff: an Executive Director and a Finance Director, three Program Managers: Canada, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and two support staff: an IT Manager and an Office Manager. SAP Canada also added a Communications Officer and a Forum Coordinator to the team. Its Board of Directors is elected by the 21 member organizations. The annual Meeting is usually held in June of each year. Any upcoming positions or consulting opportunities within SAP Canada will be posted on our website.

 

Are there internship and summer employment opportunities?

SAP Canada does not, at this time, have a regular practice of hiring interns or summer students. SAP Canada summer positions or internships will be posted on the SAP Canada website (www.sapcanada.org) and additional information about internships may be found on CIDA’s International Youth Internship Program website (http://w3.acdi-cida.gc.ca/youth).

 

What happens to your curriculum vitae?

SAP Canada receives several unsolicited applications for employment every week. All applications for employment are reviewed and kept on file for a period of at least 6 months. If a position becomes available this file will be reviewed.

 

How does one become a member of SAP Canada?

Full membership is open to Canadian registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations that undertake or endeavour to undertake programs or activities in Canada and/or overseas to advance the cause of social and economic justice in South Asia.

Associate membership is available to smaller, community-based groups or otherwise specialist bodies with a secondary interest in development or South Asia.

A non-voting individual membership is also available.

All memberships are obtained through an application process and approval by the SAP Canada Board of Directors.

 

Are there volunteer opportunities available at SAP Canada?

While SAP Canada does not have any specific positions available there are several events a year (usually in the Ottawa area) that may require the services of volunteers. These events occur at different time throughout the year and often use dance, music or film to provide a South Asian cultural experience. Contact us for more information if you are interested in helping out.