In reflecting on more than 30 years of work, and the evolution of the Foundation for International Training (FIT ), one thing has not changed: FIT’s mission to further social and economic progress in developing countries by strengthening human capabilities. This mission remains relevant, particularly in light of global efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As a results-oriented, capacity development organization, FIT works to assist governments, civil society and the private sector build the institutions, knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of eradicating extreme poverty, promoting gender equality and empowering women, ensuring environmental sustainability and building partnerships for development.
Since its inception, FIT has engaged in more than 600 projects in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the South Pacific. FIT and its partners share responsibility for project planning, design, implementation and evaluation. Our partnership strategy allows local organizations to take a proactive and ongoing role in changing and improving their own lives and the lives of others
FIT’s Board of Governors, with its impressive mixture of Canadian and international members, has helped the organization to adapt to emerging issues through its reflections and advice, while keeping its ideals and long-term directions intact. Our staff is a multilingual, multi-talented team of professionals who work in diverse fields. Associates and consultants provide technical expertise to projects in areas ranging from civil society strengthening, private sector and small and medium enterprise development to governance, human rights, public sector reform and environmental management.
Around the world, individuals, communities and entire societies are coping with global forces over which they seem to have little control. A huge need exists for strong organizations and institutions capable of assisting people and communities to overcome some of the negative consequences of the global market place and to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by the new global context. Underlying these trends is a continued need to develop social capital. FIT has built a strong organizational foundation from which to move forward into the future, predicated on our longstanding conviction that people – their institutions, skills and capabilities – are the most critical resource for development.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many collaborators in all spheres, be they local partners, host institutions, funders, resource persons or board members, with whom we have a shared vision and commitment. With them we hope to continue to address the challenges of building human and social capital to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
_