India

The IFP India Alumni Network (IFPIAN) was established to create a common platform for IFP alumni in India to work towards removing inequities in society, striving against discrimination based on caste, class, gender, disability and empowering marginalized communities. It was envisaged that the IFPIAN would function as a collective advocacy platform and support organizations working for the emancipation of the disadvantaged and the marginalized. IFPIAN actively focuses on the issues of farmers’ rights, dalit (oppressed people) rights, adivasi (tribal) rights, women’s rights, minority rights, rights of disabled people and other human, economic, political, social and cultural rights.

Snapshot of Alumni Members

IFPIAN currently has 170 members across India or living overseas. The members of IFPIAN are involved in implementation of various programs and interventions in different parts of the country for strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting intersectional coordination and advancing human achievement.  They are engaged in the Government, International Development Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, media and academic sectors. Most of the alumni members are working with underprivileged low-income communities, women, children, tribals, dalits, disabled people and minority communities. The contribution of members of IFPIAN has been widely recognized by Government and other stakeholders at national and state levels in the areas of promotion of human development, gender equality, human rights and social justice.

Past and Future Alumni Activities

IFPIAN organized its first national level meeting and alumni get-together in December 2006, in which IFPIAN was established. Members of the Governing Board were elected and broad vision, mission, objectives of the network and focus areas were discussed. It was decided to form IFPIAN as a registered body. Rules and regulations for registration have been prepared and registration is under process. Three regional consultations were organised for identifying the pressing needs/social justice issues for action in the regions and firming up ideas for future interventions to be taken up by the IFPIAN.

In the Month of August 2008, IFPIAN organised its Annual General Meeting. During the meeting, the progress of IFPIAN was shared and future plans were discussed. An inspirational lecture was delivered by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Vice Chancellor of Pune University, in which he shared his experience of working in various capacities and shared his vision for India’s development. He called for IFPIAN members to keep their passion for social justice alive and work together to contribute to India’s development.

In order to promote professional interests and provide members with opportunity for professional development, a two-day training for alumni members on ‘Asset-Based and Citizen-Driven Development’ was also organised. This training was attended by 30 members of IFPIAN.
Since its inception, IFPIAN has been helping the IFP team in outreach activities for selection of new fellows and providing mentoring support to newly selected fellow-elects and fellows. Successful experiences, achievements and opportunities are shared by alumni members through lively discussions and postings on an online list serve established by the IFP team.

Future plans of IFPIAN includes ensuring active communication through establishment of a portal/ website, publication of a newsletter, publishing books, journals, magazines and  organizing meetings, seminars, training courses, conferences and such other programs. Additionally, various collaborative action projects (thematic and regional) are currently being conceptualised, and are planned to be undertaken by IFPIAN in the near future.

IFPIAN First General Body Meeting, December 2006, New Delhi

IFPIAN Second General Body Meeting, August 2008, IRMA, Anand, Gujarat