Barry Smith

Barry Smith joined Synergos in 2002 as Regional Director, Southern Africa.

"New York, NY, September 4, 2002 -- The Synergos Institute announced today that Barry Smith will join the organization on November 1, 2002 as Regional Director, Southern Africa.

"Synergos works at a regional level in Southern Africa, and on a national level in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Since 1987, we have joined with partners in Southern Africa to strengthen the capacity of grantmaking organizations and the efforts of individual philanthropists to support civil society action. Synergos also works to build cooperation and collaboration among civil society, business, government and international agencies -- most recently through the launching of our Bridging Leadership program.

"A highlight of our work has been helping local partners in Zimbabwe and Mozambique establish community development foundations to provide sustainable financing for critically needed programs to address poverty, HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation and other pressing problems.

"Mr. Smith, who will be based in Cape Town, has extensive experience in Southern Africa. He served for nearly 14 years as founding Executive Director of the International Fundraising Consortium (INTERFUND), a consortium of European development agencies channelling support to anti-poverty and pro-democracy organizations in the region. A key accomplishment at INTERFUND was the creation of an innovative HIV/AIDS and Development Program that promoted an integrated approach to the disease on the part of both NGOs and funders.

"Most recently, Mr. Smith has been the London-based Director of Development & Public Affairs for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Mr. Smith has also written, consulted and spoken extensively on a variety of development issues, including the poverty, strengthening civil society, philanthropy, donor effectiveness and HIV/AIDS. He has been a board member of Synergos' partner the Southern African Grantmakers Association."