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 International Relations
International Relations Policy Statement
The Zambia Prisons Library Project
Click here for latest update
The Career Development Group International is a partner on the African Prisons Project (APP) whose objective is the promotion of education and health in African Prisons, through the construction of libraries and renovation of medical facilities within the prison environment.
The Zambia Prisons Library Project launch took place on Wednesday 4th July 2007 at CILIP HQ . The founder of APP and UK Charity Volunteer of the Year 2006, Alexander McLean spoke with candour of the conditions that exist in these institutions. Anyone sceptical about whether we should be contributing to such a campaign would have been hard pushed to maintain that stance as all preconceptions were washed away the moment Alexander started talking.
He advised that prisoners are kept in appalling conditions. Many ill with AIDS or TB. Diseases prevail due to malnutrition and lack of hygiene, clean water and adequate health care. The overcrowded prisons are controlled by brutal regimes and gang rape is rife. Zambia has the most overcrowded prisons in Africa.
Alexander explained that many of the prisoners are locked up for years for petty offences such as stealing a mango or held for a variety of reasons and never charged. Some never have the opportunity to be tried in court. Many want to educate themselves but have little opportunity. This affects any ability they might have of leading a meaningful life when they are released.
The APP is partnering with the forward thinking Zambian Prisons Service and the British High Commission in Lusaka to develop a Prisons Hospital, a Day Care Centre, and a Central Prisons Library, which the Career Development Group international is supporting.
Alexander McLean was presented with a £2,000 cheque to start the library building work. The Group continues fundraising for the Zambia Prisons Project.
For a full report see the September issue of CILIP's Library + Information Update, and the Autumn issue of Impact: the Journal of the Career Development Group.
*Latest update:*
Unfortunately, work in Zambia had been delayed until later this year due to the retirement of the Commissioner of Prisons, and the change-over to a new Commissioner. However, we hope to resume work once he has settled into the post.
For regular updates on the project visit the African Prisons Project website http://www.africanprisons.com/ and Alexander's blog: http://www.scottmelhuish.com/africanprisonsblog/
CILIP Heavyweight Sponsor Slim
CILIP’s Chief Executive Bob McKee weighed in at 111.1 kilograms at the Umbrella Conference on 29th June 2007.
Bob accepted the challenge to lose 10% of his body weight by 19th November 2007 in aid of the Zambia Prisons Library Project.
At a progress weigh in during CILIP's Members Day on 18th October, Bob had lost 7.9 kgs
Tracey Ainsley
Honorary International Officer
If you would like to know more about the international activities of the Career Development Group, contact the International Officer, Tracey Ainsley, Email:tracey.ainsley@unn.ac.uk | 
