During 2004 the programme will launch moderately, focusing only at the social sectors as industry and commerce, health and education.
Like the other programmes in Fredskorpset the senior programme is based on partnership between organisations and companies in Norway and countries in the South. A senior is by our definition a well-qualified person in the age group 55 to 70 years.
The participants going from South to Norway will be juniors in the primary programme. These young participants are selected carefully to strengthen the South partner in specific areas, while the senior from Norway contributes with important knowledge and leadership experience.
"We are not re-introducing the so-called NORAD expert. Its days are definitely gone. The senior is going to play the role as mentor, giving support to leaders in the South making them stronger in exercising their leadership", Fredskorpset?s General Secretary Tor Elden explains.
Fredskorpset has received a number of requests from Norwegian seniors in the 14 months since Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik announced that the Fredskorpset will open for service for those older than the participants in the regular Fredskorpset.
"The programme will give exciting opportunities to new groups to work for those who need it most", Bondevik said. But quite a few will be disappointed because of the limited start. Five to ten Norwegian seniors are going out this year.
The participants in the senior programme have to go through a shorter preparatory session before going out. In accordance to the other programmes the seniors are also committed to give information work after returning home. The exchange period can be split into shorter periods.
More information about Fredskorpset senior will be published on our home page before summer.
Please contact Knut Jostein Berglyd or Tor Elden in Fredskorpset if you have ideas or questions regarding Fredskorpset-senior.