UK Regional Coordinator - Tommy Wong
Email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to U8-UK!

U8-UK is U8’s regional network in the UK that extends from Edinburgh in the North to Essex in the South. Below are a few questions related to the network and what you can expect from me, as one of the five Regional Coordinators.

Who are you, and what’s your history with U8-UK?
I am Tommy Wong, the U8 UK Regional Coordinator from 2008 to the present. My first involvement with the U8 was through the founding of U8-Essex, and by dint of merit I was entrusted with the position of UK Regional Coordinator.

What does a regional coordinator do, anyway?
There are five regional coordinators (Far East, Middle East, Europe, Americas and the UK). We are tasked with providing support to local U8 branches within our designated regions, linking up branches with one another and tying in initiatives organised by our partners.

What does U8-UK do as a network?
U8-UK is a network of U8 branches across the UK. It aims to provide support to local U8 branches and development initiatives. These range from established, nationwide initiatives such as Right to Play to new nationwide initiatives such as Global Poverty Project, or local projects, such as the MythBuster Programme.

How involved is U8-UK with the UK development sector?
We have regular contact throughout the sector. At our heart are the local U8 branches, our grass-root organisers, working hard in enacting global development partnerships in their locality. U8-UK aims to support them with event opportunities, such as participation at KCL Career Group’s “Getting into International Development” Fair. The network also helps them to spread local initiatives they consider deserving of U8’s attention, e.g. the MythBuster Programme (a cultural education programme from Essex).

At a national level, U8-UK as a network frequently communicate and support initiatives for the benefit of the grass-roots U8 branches. For example, U8-UK participated in the recent DfID/CSO focus group on the Donor’s Guide for Youth Participation. We are also regular attendees to PriceWaterHouseCooper’s Annual International Development Conference (most recently in November 2009), engaging with representatives from donor agencies, social enterprise sectors and policy makers.

What is the future of U8-UK?
U8-UK needs to continue strengthening efforts in local U8 groups, by introducing them to regional, national or even international development initiatives. We are looking to collaboration opportunities with you, as an individual or an organisation.

South America Regional Coordinator - Ana Garcia Sagrado
Email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ana is from Spain and did her PhD in the Department of Engineering of the University of Cambridge in the UK. She is now doing a postdoc at Imperial College London in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering relating to ocean dynamics. She enjoys travelling and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. She is happy to be able to collaborate with the U8 as South American coordinator and help raise awareness about international development issues.

Africa Regional Coordinator - Akuure Nathaniel
Email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Akuure Nathaniel is an A level 300 student of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) in Ghana. He is currently studying a BSc in Accounting.