Curriculum vitae

Mundie Salm

Personal information

Full name Amunda Nenemoosha Salm
Specialisation Communications in development & agriculture
Nationality Canadian and Dutch
E-mail address Consultants@Bananahill.net
Telephone number +258-82-5477070

Key Qualifications

My activities of the last seventeen years focus on communications of the complex issues involved in agriculture and development. Work experience includes management of educational and training events; research, writing, editing and translating of publications (manuals, journalistic articles, policy papers, websites, magazines, reports) as well as video production. In addition, have worked in development project management in NGOs, CBOs and a UN agency. Topics of special interest are sustainable agriculture & food security, HIV/Aids, social justice and fair trade. Academic background includes a MSc in Ecological Agriculture and a BSc in International Development Studies. Countries of work experience are Canada, The Netherlands, Lesotho, Mozambique and Australia. Since December 2003, living and working in central Mozambique.

Education

M.Sc. in Ecological Agriculture

Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands (1995-97)
Systems approach to the principles of organic agriculture, with examples from around the world; courses ranged from physical to social sciences. Research and thesis on “Community Shared Agriculture in Canada” .

B.Sc. (Honours) in International Development

Specialist in International Development Studies, Major in Geography
University of Toronto (Scarborough College), Canada (1987-92)
Multidisciplinary programme integrating issues of development cooperation and resource management: political economy, agricultural sciences and project administration; included practical work and research in Lesotho, Southern Africa, with thesis on “Cooperatives in Lesotho” .

Languages

Language speaking reading writing
English fluent fluent fluent
Dutch good very good good
French good very good good
Portuguese good good moderate
Spanish basic moderate moderate

Passed the Netherlands State examination of Dutch as a Foreign Language in 1998. In Canada, attended a French immersion programme during primary and secondary schooling, and studied Spanish for three years. Currently practising and working in Portuguese on a daily basis in Mozambique.

Computer Literacy

Proficient in MS Office, WordPerfect, website editing, video editing and Adobe Photoshop.

Professional Experience

Training and M&E Consultant, FAO Mozambique

Giving support to the management of the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) programme which offers an intensive training course to Orphans and Vulnerable youth (aged 12-18) in agriculture and life skills in regions of high HIV/Aids prevalence.
Main tasks include:

  • Principle writer and editor of interdisciplinary facilitators' manual covering 11 months of training;
  • Organising the training component of facilitators;
  • Contributing to designing the monitoring & evaluation component of the programme; and
  • Proposal writing, financial planning, reporting and monitoring.

Based in Chimoio, Mozambique (2005-present).

Communications consultant

Specialising in international development and agriculture issues: Writing, editing, translating and video production for international NGOs and private companies.
Some examples of my work include:

  • (2005-2007) Co-writing and editing of an extensionists' guide on agricultural strategies to mitigate effects of HIV/Aids focusing on sub-Saharan Africa (Agromisa, pending);
  • (2004) Production of video on the Food Security programme of FOS-Mozambique
  • (July 201-March 2002) Research, writing and editing of practical guide on participatory monitoring & evaluation for IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). See IFAD M&E Guide for the electronic version of the guide.

First based in Wageningen, The Netherlands (1997-2003); currently based in Chimoio, Mozambique (2004-present).

Information Coordinator: Network of European World Shops (NEWS!)

Administration, fund-raising, writing, editing and translating for this network of 15 national fair trade shop associations that collaborate to raise awareness amongst consumers on issues of fair trade, through promotion, education and lobbying campaigns. Besides general administrative tasks, coordinated publications of newsletters and the 1997-98 NEWS! Yearbook which documented European policy developments and Fair Trade activities.
Based in Utrecht, The Netherlands (1997-99).

Journalist, Wagenings Universiteitsblad

Researching and writing articles for the International Page of this weekly newspaper, aimed at the multi-cultural community of Wageningen University and Research Centre. Wide-ranging topics from current (agricultural and social) scientific research, to human interest stories relating to life in The Netherlands.
Based in Wageningen, The Netherlands (1998-99).

M.Sc. Researcher, Community Shared Agriculture in Canada

Carried out the first nation-wide survey of CSA farmers' perspectives on this alternative local food system, towards MSc degree at University of Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Field work based in Ottawa, Canada (1996).

Development Education Programme Assistant, Primate's World Relief & Development Fund (PWRDF)

Supporting the international development education programme of the Anglican Church of Canada, which works through a nationwide volunteer network;
Tasks included: organising education campaigns, workshops, a national conference, tours and travel seminars of partners; writing of programme proposals and evaluations.
Based in Toronto, Canada (1992-93).

Project Assistant, Unitarian Service Committee of Canada (USCC)

Working in local project office of NGO for integrated community development project staff;
Tasks included: writing and editing of project evaluations and financial reports; participating in a rural needs assessment survey; organising a conference to improve collaboration among Lesotho's NGO community; writing BSc thesis based on research of seven USCC-assisted cooperatives.
Based in Maseru, Lesotho, Southern Africa (1989-90).

Other Work Experience

Board member, Chimoio International School

Secretary and Treasurer of cross-cultural school board, actively participating in managmenet and supervision of staff, strategic planning, curriculum development, financial monitoring, fund-raising and promotions.
Chimoio, Mozambique (2005-2007)

Advisor, Kubatsirana (local CBO serving people living with HIV/Aids

Providing technical advice and management assistance to a community organic gardening project aiming to increase nutrition and the use of local plant-based medicines in six communities around Chimoio.
Chimoio, Mozambique (2004-2005)

Member of sales team, Uitbuyt Fair Trade and Book Shop

Assisting with sales and various management tasks, including production of PR materials and the organisation of discussion seminars.
Wageningen, The Netherlands (1997-2002)

Gardener, De Kring Community Garden

Gardening in a biodynamic urban community garden.
Wageningen, The Netherlands (Summer, 1997)

Member, East Timor Alert Network

Organising public awareness activities on human rights abuses in Indonesia, with a special focus on East Timor.
Montréal, Canada (1994-95)

Volunteer, Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

Working on four organic farms specialised in Permaculture systems in eastern and southeastern Australia.
Achieved the Permaculture Design Certificate (two-week intensive course) in Maleny, Queensland.
Australia (January-May 1994)

Literacy Tutor, St Christopher House Community Centre

One-on-one adult tutoring in English literacy and numeracy skills.
Toronto, Canada (1992-93)

Member, Tools for Peace

Participating in public education and outreach activities focusing on support to partners in Nicaragua.
Toronto, Canada (1991-92)

Member, WUSC-Scarborough College Refugee Sponsorship Committee

Preparing for and orientation of sponsored student refugees; fund-raising.
Toronto, Canada (1987-89)

Member, Scarborough College Student Pugwash

Organising educational events on current issues of technology and the environment.
Toronto, Canada (1987-89)

List of Publications

Manuals and guides

Mundie Salm (2007)
Facilitators' Manual for the Junior Farmer Field and Life school Programme in Mozambique (in Portuguese: 8-module course plus Facilitators' Guide and Cultural Activities Guide). Maputo: FAO. 350 pp - pending.

Lengkeek Ard, Marian Koster & Mundie Salm (2007)
Mitigating effects of HIV/AIDS in small-scale farming. Agrodok series. 10 pp - pending.

Guijt I and Woodhill J, with support from J Wright and M Salm.(2002)
Managing for Impact in Rural Development. A Guide for Project Monitoring & Evaluation. IFAD, Rome, Italy.

Information sharing between practitioners

Oomen E, J Jaakkola and M Salm (200)
An Impression from Seattle. NEWS!LETTER 14 (February). Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Salm M, E Oomen and J Wellenius (1999)
Food for Thought from the South. NEWS!LETTER 13 (August). Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Oomen E, M Salm, M Korteweg, J van Schie and J Wellenius (1998)
Fair Trade Fantasies. NEWS!LETTER 12 (December). Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Konings A, J Wellenius, E Oomen, M Salm A Hamer (1998)
"It's a Shame that Fair Trade is Growing". NEWS!LETTER 11 (June). Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

van Kessel C, A Konings, J Wellenius, M Salm and E Oomen (1998)
About Lomé 200. NEWS!LETTER 10 (January). Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Annual Report

M Salm, M Korteweg and M Gloge (1999)
NEWS! Yearbook 1997-98: "Made in Dignity". Network of European World Shops. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Research publications

Salm A (1997)
Eight Tips from the Experts to Make Your CSA Project a Success. COGNITION: The Voice of Canadian Organic Growers. Summer: 23-24. COG, Ottawa, Canada.

Salm A (1997)
Direct Connections: Farmer-Consumer Communication in a Local Food System. Community Shared Agriculture in Canada. MSc thesis in Ecological Agriculture. Wageningen Agricultural University. Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Salm A (1991)
Cooperatives in Lesotho: A Comparative Case Study of Nine Associations Sponsored by the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada. BSc thesis in International Development Studies. University of Toronto. Scarborough, Canada.

Selected Journalistic Publications

Salm A (11 November 2002)
Dutch Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet: innocent fun or a racist tradition? Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Sinterklaas a.k.a. Saint Nicholas, celebrated on the 5th of December, is a dearly loved tradition in Holland. However, the question comes up every year mostly from visitors and ethnic minorities about whether Sinterklaas' sidekick, Zwarte Piet ('Black Pete') is in fact a racist figure. Sinterklaas is the serious and wise old man on a horse, but his group of assistants, all known as Zwarte Piet are clownish characters in bright clothes. Dutch people defend the tradition as innocent fun.

Salm A (4 March 1999)
The challenge of team-building: 'Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing'. Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

What happens when you bring 25 scientists from 17 different countries and 18 disciplines together in an intensive six- month training programme on participatory research methods? Two months into ICRA training, exhaustion is setting in, the shine is rubbing off, but belief in a valuable experience is still strong: "We are learning a lot about diplomacy."

Salm A (25 February 1999)
Dutch PhD Defence a public event. Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The formal awarding of a PhD in the Netherlands is an interesting procedure. The final defence takes place not only in front of an examining committee, but is also a public ceremony. The WAU's international students have different opinions on the value of this tradition.

Salm A (11 February 1999)
War in Sierra Leone affects agro-biodiversity: "Even the rebels need to grow food". Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

"Our research in biodiversity must continue even though a war is going on. Otherwise Sierra Leone may lose its important genetic resources forever." This was the main message from Paul Richards, Professor of the WAU's Technical Agrarian Development (TAO) chair group, who has longtime links with the country. Together with Sierra Leonean plant breeders Malcolm Jusu and Robert Chakanda, Richards is determined to keep working on the Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation (CBDC) programme: "I am confident that people always find ways to preserve seeds."

Salm A (21 January 1999)
Miombo agroforestry economically and ecologically viable. Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

"Models of agroecosystems are usually designed as if they are dead," according to David Storey, who will graduate with a MSc in Ecological Agriculture at the end of this month. Trying to make a model of a 'living system', one which is both ecologically and economically viable, was the research challenge undertaken by Storey in the southern highlands of Tanzania.

Salm A (14 January 1999)
Environmental management complex issue for Shell Nigeria. Weekblad voor Wageningen UR. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

"Businesses need to adopt recognised environmental standards to stay competitive, aside from the need for greater environmental protection." This was the premise from which Environmental Sciences student Chris Ogbu conducted his MSc research on multinational corporation Shell, comparing its environmental management systems in the Netherlands with those in his home country Nigeria.

Salm A (29 October 1998)
Dunglish: a persistent virus common to "Wageningers". Wageningen Universiteitsblad. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Wageningen-based editor and translator Joy Burrough-Boenisch has taken up the challenge of deciphering the mysteries of written Dunglish in her book 'Righting English that's gone Dutch'.

Salm A (1 October 1998)
Health promotion should build on how people think. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

In spite of extensive promotional efforts made by health organisations including the WHO, 3.3 million children still die every year from diarrhoeal diseases. After nine years' research, Valerie Curtis concludes in her thesis 'The Dangers of Dirt', that the health message sent out to educate people on safe hygiene have been misguided.

Salm A (17 September 1998)
Rebuilding Livestock Health Data in Somalia. Wageningen Universiteitsblad. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

"If people had enough security, the problems that have caused wars in Somalia could be avoided." Security in the Northern Somali context, according to Abdisalaam Shiek Abdilahi, means a healthy and well-distributed livestock population.

Salm A (28 May 1998)
"Suddenly I feel free to speak out!". Wageningen Universiteitsblad. Cereales, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Up until a week ago, very few Indonesians dared to speak out against their government for fear of reprisals in their career development, or even imprisonment. But with the stepdown of former President Suharto on May 21st, this situation has changed.

Selected Language/Copy-editing

Bakker N, M Dubbeling, S Gundel, U Sabel-Koschella and H de Zeeuw (200)
Growing Cities, Growing Food: Urban Agriculture on the Policy Agenda. DSE, Feldafing, Germany (531 pp).

Resource Centre for Urban Agriculture (RUAF) (200-202)
Urban Agriculture Magazine. Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and two Special Editions). RUAF, Leusden, The Netherlands.