International Trends and Services

The Global Trilogy of International Trends and Services, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and the Signature Program, “Education Across the Miles” mission is to expand the global platform for programs designed and developed to service the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world.

All components of the Global Trilogy will execute a measurable delivery model created to reach women and their families through long-term programs committed to economic empowerment, education for youth, health initiatives and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice. The programs are enhanced through partnership, mentorship and advocacy. It is imperative that programs are accessible to the chapter’s membership as well as those in the Diaspora.

International Trends and Services Initiatives

A. Safe Motherhood - To develop programs that address the issues of Family Planning, Antennal Care, Clean and Safe Delivery, and Essential Obstetric Care Preventable death and disability among mothers and expectant mothers are all-encompassing tragedies for families, for communities, for societies, and most of all, for children. Safe Motherhood supports basic maternity, primary health care initiatives and equity for women.

1. Clean and Safe Delivery - “Maama Kits” were developed by the Uganda Ministry in Health in 1997. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health, and The Links revitalized the program.
   Action: Expand the program and partnerships to include broader territory in Africa and the Caribbean.

2. Primary Health Care - Water Wells, Electricity and other related needs.
   Action: Continue Chapter support. Expand the program initiative to cover more African countries and look at aboveground wells for safety/purity (Mozambique, Kenya, other African nations and Haiti).

3. Family Planning/Primary Health Care - HIV/AIDS Projects–New to agenda, but critical globally.

4. Essential Obstetric - Fistula Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labor without prompt medical intervention, usually a Caesarean section. The woman is left with chronic incontinence and, in most cases, a stillborn baby.

5. Basic Maternity - Education and Nutrition

6. Equity for Women - Mentoring program for African and Caribbean Women interested in nursing and other programs that promote equity in women. This includes initiatives that provide for safe heaven for mother and child(ren).

B. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)

1. Exploring Women Empowerment
   
   Program:  Economic Empowerment for Women (Mentoring)
   Program Objective: Support programs that provide economic empowerment for African women and their families. Offer Link Chapters the option to work with one of three programs endorsed by The Links ITS Committee, such as:

2. Public Policy Issues - The Links Care
   Objective: The Links would take an impartial position on issues affecting the Good of Mankind. Example: Genocides in Rwanda and Darfur.

Darfur

1. Chapters can start a letter writing campaign to the Congressional Chair of the International Committee.

2. The Links, Incorporated ITS would draft a generic letter for Chapters to use and provide buttons with “The Links Care” on them.

3. ITS would arrange for the National President to meet with Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York, African-American Congressman on the International Committee.

4. “The Links Care”—create a symbol and button to support the position taken: Darfur, AIDS, Orphans or Women issues of inequality.
   Action: Darfur letter, special “The Links Care” button or ribbon, meeting with Congressman Gregory Meeks and National President of The Links, Incorporated.

3. The Model UN:
   Program Objective: Chapters will work with historically Black colleges and universities as well as middle and secondary schools to encourage and inspire students to become interested in international and world affairs through the work of the UN.

C. “Education Across the Miles” - ITS Signature Program (Mentoring, Partnership, Advocacy) “Education Across the Miles” will focus on the commitment to build and refurbish schools in Africa to make a direct difference in the lives of African families.

1. Program: Continue to focus on the commitment to support and refurbish schools in Africa to make a difference in the lives of African families.