"Colonialism did nothing for our self confidence and we are still trapped in low self esteem. True community partnerships can help to give us the confidence we need for our own development."

"A school link is about developing our curriculum, not developing our partners."

"We are talking about a partnership of equals. In development as in linking, if inequality is inherent or apparent in the relationship then we should not call it a partnership."

"Let us share who we are before we share what we have."

Learn from the people

Plan with the people

Begin with what they have

Build on what they know

Of the best leaders

when their task is accomplished

The people will remark

"We have done it ourselves"

A person who ties a parcel alone ends up wasting or using a lot of string.

"The shaping of our common future is much too important to be left to governments and experts alone."

"I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights."

"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

"We want to be there when things happen, when decisions are made, when policy is developed. We want a genuine dialogue and saying 'No' is as much a part of dialogue as saying 'Yes'."

"The most important thing is that the South is recognised as having a contribution to make to the North."

"Whose agenda is it? Who's setting the priorities? There needs to be listening, there isn't enough."