Self-help and sustainability
The Project, set up to mark the Millennium, is founded on Malawi's historical links with Scotland and the University of Strathclyde through explorer and missionary David Livingstone, who studied at Strathclyde in the 1830s.
The main aim of the Malawi Millennium Project - based on self-help and sustainability - are to assist in educating the personnel necessary to train future generations of Malawian teachers, nurses, scientists, technicians and engineers to deal with some of the health and education problems in Malawi, one the 10 poorest countries in the world. The Project is a collaborative venture between the University of Strathclyde and the University of Malawi, with which Strathclyde has had academic links going back to the early 1990s.
The Project initiated a campaign to formalise links between Scotland and Malawi which led to a Co-operation Agreement between the two countries in 2005. Signed by Scotland's First Minister and the President of Malawi, the Agreement allows increased collaboration in the areas of Civic Governance and Society, Sustainable Economic Development, Health and Education. The Agreement was signed when the President of Malawi at that time (His Excellency Ngwazi Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika) visited the Scottish Parliament to attend a major conference organised by the Scotland Malawi Partnership. The Scotland Malawi Partnership, which the Malawi Millinum Project is a founding member of, was set up in 2005 to provide a networking forum for individuals and organisations in Scotland with an interest in supporting Malawi.
The Malawi Millennium Project has enjoyed widespread support within and outside the Strathclyde community locally and internationally. Many University staff, students and alumni donate time and effort to the Project by lending their expertise and organising fundraising events. Events ranging from the 'Move for Malawi' event in the University Sports Centre to balls and fashion shows in the University's Barony Hall.
The Project is proud of its record of careful financial management. Every penny counts and a network of contacts in Malawi allows the Project to target the money directly to those in need.
