Malawi Initiative for National Development (MIND)

Malawian Initiative for National Development (MIND) is an international development organisation. It was founded by Malawians In Aberdeen (MIA), an association of Malawians in the northeast of Scotland, in summer of 2007. The organisation was officially launched as a project by the Malawian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Francis Moto, and the Rt Hon. Jack McConnell, the former First Minister for Scotland, on 16th September 2008. MIND is a United Kingdom charity, No: SC040751, and works in close cooperation with Scottish Government and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and is part of the Diaspora Volunteering Alliance (DVA). MIND's main mission is to formalize and coordinate volunteering efforts of UK-based Diaspora Malawians and use such initiatives to support the Malawi government's socio-economic development efforts aligning with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS). The organisation has the following specific objectives: Supporting the Malawi Government in sustainable economic and infrastructure development Building the skill base and support it and encourage active volunteering participation for Malawians in Malawi and the UK Improving social and economic life of the most disadvantaged Malawians in Malawi Enhancing the British understanding of Malawi, its culture and development perspectives through development awareness by Malawians in Diaspora