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Africa Groups' Recruitment Organisation, ARO

History

The Africa Groups' Recruitment Organization ARO.

When the Portuguese colonies in Africa after extensive liberation wars got their independence most of the Europeans left and as a consequence of that the new countries lost most of their educated population. The need for health care personnel, teachers and administrators was immense and the new governments pleaded with the solidarity movements and governments that had earlier supported the freedom struggle to send i.a. volunteers.

The Africa Groups of Sweden (AGS) already started in 1976 to recruit volunteers, or cooperants; as they were called at the time, mainly for Mozambique. These activities eventually became extensive and in 1978 it was decided to found a special organization to take care of the volunteer activities and aid for Southern Africa, Africa Groups Recruitment Organization (Afrikagruppernas Rekryteringsorganisation), ARO.

ARO sent most volunteers to Mozambique but also to Namibia, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe and to ANC’s freedom college, SOMAFCO, in Tanzania and SWAPO’s refugee camp, Kwanza Sul, in Angola. The volunteers were mainly involved in health care and education. ARO was also engaged in emergency aid mainly concerning health care in Mozambique. From 1982 ARO also dealt with support for different projects. These activities were financed mainly by contributions from Sida and ARO’s own fund raising.

Half of the board was elected by the ARO annual general meeting and the other half by the AGS one. The board had several different subcommittees and working groups. The most important one was the executive committee (AU), which in 1988 was replaced by the Volunteer subcommittee (KAU) and the Economy-Staff-Administration subcommittee (EPAU). Before that there was also a Project subcommittee (PAU).

ARO arranged seminars and courses to prepare the volunteers for their work in Southern Africa, Seminar on Solidarity Work in Sweden and Africa (SOS), language courses and Take-off seminars just before leaving Sweden. On arrival back the volunteers took part in a Home-coming seminar.

In each partner country ARO had a coordinator leading and coordinating the activities. These coordinators met in Stockholm in a so-called Coordinators Meeting, when all the coordinators, the Stockholm office and board members met. All the volunteers in each partner country met twice a year, so-called Country Group Meetings, together with representatives for the Stockholm office and the board. Other members of the Africa Groups, present in the country, could also take part in the meeting.

When apartheid at last collapsed and Namibia became independent the main task for AGS tended to become more to support the reconstruction of South Africa and Namibia. As a consequence the activities of ARO and the Africa Groups of Sweden became very similar. Therefore the organizations merged in 1992 under the name the Africa Groups of Sweden (Afrikagrupperna).

The ARO archives comprise in principle the years 1978 to 1992. Some archival series may have a starting year before 1978 and some may expand beyond 1992. This is due to the fact that some projects, even though they had their main activities some time between 1978 and 1992, could have started or ended before this period. Accordingly there are some overlaps between the archives of AGS and ARO.

The volumes contain extensive correspondence, primarily with solidarity workers but also authorities in various aid countries. There is also material from seminars on solidarity work and minutes and accounts of the organizations' operations as well as material from various projects and campaigns along with courses and seminars.

Contents

[Series] Minutes and documents: Annual general meetings
[Volume] AGM 1978 - 1982
[Volume] AGM 1983 - 1986
[Volume] AGM 1987 - 1989
[Volume] AGM 1990 - 1991

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Board meetings
[Volume] Board meetings 1978 - 1983
[Volume] Board meetings 1984 - 1985
[Volume] Board meetings 1986 - 1987
[Volume] Board meetings 1987 - 1989
[Volume] Board meetings 1989 - 1990
[Volume] Board meetings 1990 - 1991

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Executive Subcommittee meetings
[Volume] Meetings 1978 - 1983
[Volume] Meetings 1984 - 1988

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Project Subcommittee meetings
[Volume] PBG meetings 1983 - 1987
[Volume] PAU meetings 1988
[Volume] PAU meetings 1989
[Volume] PAU meetings 1989 - 1990
[Volume] PAU meetings 1990 - 1991
[Volume] PAU meetings 1991
[Volume] PAU meetings 1991 - 1992
[Volume] PAU meetings 1992

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Volunteer Subcommittee meetings
[Volume] Meetings 1988 - 1990
[Volume] Meetings 1990 - 1992

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Economy, Planning and Administration Subcommittee meetings
[Volume] 1988 - 1989

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Country Group meetings
[Volume] Country Group meetings 1977 - 1983
[Volume] Country Group meetings 1982 - 1985
[Volume] Country Group meetings 1986 - 1987
[Volume] Country Group meetings 1987 - 1991
[Volume] Country Group meetings 1989 - 1992

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Staff meetings
[Volume] Staff meetings 1988 - 1992

[Series] Minutes and attachments: Cooperation Groups meetings
[Volume] Cooperation Groups meetings 1990 - 1991

[Series] Circular documents
[Volume] Circular documents 1978 - 1992

[Series] Organizational documents
[Volume] Organizational documents 1977 - 1988

[Series] Organizational documents
[Volume] Organizational documents 1977 - 1988

[Series] Indexes
[Volume] Indexes 1984 - 1988

[Series] Correspondence: Country Co-ordinators
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1977 - 1988
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1991 - 1993
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1990 - 1992
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1989 - 1991
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1988
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1986 - 1987
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1983 - 1989
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1983 - 1985
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1977 - 1992
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1986 - 1989
[Volume] Country Co-ordinators 1982 - 1991

[Series] Correspondence: Volunteers
[Volume] Volunteers 1976 - 1981 A-K 1976-1981. SWAPO (Kwanza Sul) 1980-1981.
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1991
[Volume] Volunteers 1990 - 1993
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1991 N-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1992 A-N
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1990 A-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1988 A-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1986 - 1988 A-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1985 A-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1983 - 1984 O-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1983 - 1984 A-N
[Volume] Volunteers 1982 A-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1976 - 1981 L-Ö
[Volume] Volunteers 1988 - 1992

[Series] Correspondence: African authorities
[Volume] African authorities 1976 - 1980
[Volume] African authorities 1981 - 1985
[Volume] African authorities 1978 - 1995
[Volume] African authorities 1975 - 1985
[Volume] African authorities 1980 - 1992

[Series] Correspondence: Foreign organizations
[Volume] Foreign organizations 1979 - 1986
[Volume] Foreign organizations 1985 - 1993

[Series] Correspondence: Swedish organizations and institutions
[Volume] Swedish organizations and institutions 1977 - 1983
[Volume] Swedish organizations and institutions 1983 - 1986
[Volume] Swedish organizations and institutions 1984 - 1987
[Volume] Swedish organizations and institutions 1986 - 1992
[Volume] Swedish organizations and institutions 1988 - 1992

[Series] Correspondence: Swedish authorities
[Volume] Swedish authorities 1976 - 1981
[Volume] Swedish authorities 1980 - 1983
[Volume] Swedish authorities 1982 - 1986
[Volume] Swedish authorities 1985 - 1992

[Series] Correspondence: Working Groups
[Volume] Working Groups 1979 - 1988

[Series] Correspondence: Various
[Volume] Various 1976 - 1981
[Volume] Various 1982 - 1983
[Volume] Various 1983 - 1985
[Volume] Various 1986
[Volume] Various 1986 - 1987
[Volume] Various 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Various 1988 - 1992
[Volume] Various 1986 - 1992

[Series] Subject related records: Campaigns
[Volume] Campaigns 1988 - 1992
[Volume] Campaigns 1991 - 1992

[Series] Subject related records: Courses, conferences and seminars
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1976 - 1988
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1980 - 1991
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1977-1992
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1983 - 1991
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1991 - 1992
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1990
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1990
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1978 - 1989
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1989 - 1992
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1988 - 1991
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1988 - 1990
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1976
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1976 - 1988
[Volume] Courses, conferences and seminars 1989 - 1991

[Series] Subject related records: Travels
[Volume] Travels 1979 - 1994

[Series] Subject related records: Investigations, evaluations and research
[Volume] Investigations, evaluations and research 1979 - 1988
[Volume] Investigations, evaluations and research 1987 - 1988

[Series] Subject related records: Staff and office
[Volume] Staff and office 1976 - 1985
[Volume] Staff and office 1982 - 1992
[Volume] Staff and office 1992 - 1994

[Series] Subject related records: Administrative contacts between Stockholm office and country offices
[Volume] Contacts between Stockholm office and country offices 1989 - 1993
[Volume] Contacts between Stockholm office and country offices 1990 - 1993
[Volume] Contacts between Stockholm office and country offices 1992 - 1993
[Volume] Contacts between Stockholm office and country offices 1992 - 1999

[Series] Subject related records: Recruitment of volunteers
[Volume] Recruitment of volunteers 1976 - 1977
[Volume] Recruitment of volunteers 1975 - 1991
[Volume] Recruitment of volunteers 1978 - 1992
[Volume] Recruitment of volunteers 1979 - 1988

[Series] Subject related records: Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1979 - 1991
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1985 - 1989
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1982 - 1989
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1982 - 1985
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1979 - 1982
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1980 - 1990
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1985 - 1990
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1984 - 1986
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1982 - 1985
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1980 - 1982
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1978 - 1985
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1984 - 1991
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1983 - 1990
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1985 - 1992
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1980 - 1991
[Volume] Projects for the liberation movements ANC and SWAPO 1987 - 1991

[Series] Subject related records: Projects in Mozambique
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1984 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1988 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1989 - 1997
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1984 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1989 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1983 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1990 - 1997
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1989 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1988 - 1994
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1990 - 1994
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1986 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1989 - 1995
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1988 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1988 - 1995
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1983 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1984 - 1987
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1984 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1991 - 1995
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1991 - 1995
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1983 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1979 - 1986
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1983 - 1990
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1985 - 1989
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1989 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1990 - 1994
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1991 - 1994
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1986 - 1988
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1987 - 1989
[Volume] Projects in Mozambique 1988 - 1992

[Series] Subject related records: Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1986 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1989 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1989 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1986 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1984 - 1991
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1986 - 1993
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1987 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1989 - 1992
[Volume] Projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Namibia and Sao Tomé 1985 - 1990

[Series] Subject related records: Miscellaneous
[Volume] Miscellaneous 1978 - 1979

[Series] Financial records: Cash books
[Volume] Cash books 1978 - 1992

[Series] Press cuttings: Projects and volunteers
[Volume] Projects and volunteers 1976 - 1991
[Volume] Projects and volunteers 1976 - 1992

Repository

Archives and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement, ARAB
[Arbetarrörelsens arkiv och bibliotek]
Box 1124
SE-111 81 Stockholm
Sweden
Visiting address: Upplandsgatan 4
Telephone: +46 8 4123900
Fax: +46 8 4123990
http://www.arbark.se/en/ External link.

Archive extent, country, period and keywords.
Extent:

74 volumes with an inventory list and 19 shelf metres of unarranged material.

Ref. code:

3436

Country:

Sweden

Period:

1978-1997

Keywords:

Africa Groups' Recruitment Organisation Afrikagruppernas Rekryteringsorganisation ARO Africa Groups of Sweden AGS Afrikagrupperna Sweden Mozambique Namibia Angola Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Zimbabwe SOMAFCO Tanzania SWAPO’s refugee camp Kwanza Sul Angola Volunteers Voluntary organizations Health care Education Emergency aid Sida Fund raising AU KAU EPAU PAU History Anti-apartheid movements Solidarity movements Solidarity workers Liberation organizations Anti-racism movements Anti-imperialism movements Anti-colonialism