Difference between revisions of "NGO Networking"

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#'''The Size''' of an NGO is also significant. A larger organization may have more contacts than a smaller one. Furthermore, it may have stronger presence when responding to opposition.  
 
#'''The Size''' of an NGO is also significant. A larger organization may have more contacts than a smaller one. Furthermore, it may have stronger presence when responding to opposition.  
  
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''In NGOs and Rural Development: Theory and Practice'', Bhose discusses the advantages to networking between organizations and constructing partnerships that include, but are not limited to the following:
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''In NGOs and Rural Development: Theory and Practice'', Bhose discusses some of the advantages of networking between organizations and constructing partnerships:  
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#Since most organizations that are volunteer-based like NGOs operate on a small-scale and with limited staff, there can be a tendency toward isolation. Being part of a network imparts a global context to local work.  
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#Since most NGOs operate on a small-scale and with limited staff, there may be tendency towards isolation. Being part of a network allows NGOs to expand and become part of an ever growing global network.  
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#Many NGOs work towards alleviating social, political, and economical injustices as well as the preservation of our natural environment. This often leads to tension with conflicting sectors, and a network or partnership of individuals or organizations is a stronger force than acting singularly.  
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#Many NGOs work towards alleviating social, political, and economical injustices and towards the preservation of the natural environment. This often leads to tension within conflicting sectors; a network or partnership of individuals and/or organizations provides NGOs with a stronger force.  
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#In collaborating with other organizations, there are increased opportunities for communicating on pertinent issues, sharing information and resources, and acting collectively, while bringing in fresh perspectives to shared interests.  
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#In collaborating with other organizations there are increased opportunities for communicating on pertinent issues, sharing information and resources, and acting collectively, while bringing in fresh perspectives to shared interests (Bhose).
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#Technology has made global communication ever more convenient and NGOs have been and can continue to use this to their advantage when it comes to linking to potential partners.
  
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As NGOs increasingly become “full-fledged participants in the business-government interface” (Doh & Teegan 10), there are likewise increased opportunities for organizations to build networks and partnerships in attempts to become more adept at achieving their goals. Below are several important factors in NGO networking and partnering:
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As NGOs become “full-fledged participants in the business-government interface” (Doh & Teegan 10), there are increased opportunities for organizations to build networks and partnerships in attempts to become more adept at achieving their goals.
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#The organizational framework and vision of an NGO is often clear to its members as well as to its potential constituents and/or partners so that those involved can work around shared ideas. 
 
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#The successful networking and partnering of NGOs relies on what their resources are and how those resources can be maximized through collaboration.
 
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#Technology has made global communication ever more convenient and NGOs have been and can continue to use this to their advantage when it comes to linking to potential partners.
 
  
 
==The Future of NGO Networking and Partnering==
 
==The Future of NGO Networking and Partnering==
  
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The future of NGO networks is contingent on building upon existing models and continued efforts at improving the quality of collaborations. This may entail supporting research, encouraging the sharing of information and resources, helping to fund already existing networks, and experimenting with different approaches to network building.
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The future of NGO networks is contingent upon building on existing models and continuing efforts to improve the quality of collaborations. This may entail supporting research, encouraging the sharing of information and resources, helping to fund already existing networks, and experimenting with different approaches to network building.
  
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In an interview with UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security, Ada Civitani, the head of the Education Unit of Association of Rural Cooperation in Africa and Latin America, provides some thoughts on building better NGO partnerships. Civitani suggests “ a participatory approach” be utilized to moderate the “effective accountability of each target group within a network in which the diversity of actors (geographical, thematic and cultural) will be considered as a quality indicator” (UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security). Consideration should be given to the building “links between local and national level networking” (UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security). Civitani goes on to stress building connections between regional and national networking.
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In an interview with UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security, Ada Civitani, the head of the Education Unit of Association of Rural Cooperation in [[Africa]] and [[Latin America and Caribbean|Latin America]], provides some thoughts on building better NGO partnerships. Civitani suggests “a participatory approach” be utilized to moderate the “effective [[Methods of Enhancing Accountability|accountability]] of each target group within a network in which the diversity of actors (geographical, thematic and cultural) will be considered as a quality indicator” (UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security). Consideration should be given to the building “links between local and national level networking” (UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security). Civitani goes on to stress building connections between regional and national networking.
  
 
==Bibliography==  
 
==Bibliography==  

Latest revision as of 09:45, 12 August 2008

“NGOs work in a society as institutions in their own right and through negotiation with other institutional actors to achieve their interests. Their success in working in society depends to a great extent on their ability to influence others in their environments…”(Doh and Teegan 217)

Optimally, networks have the potential to benefit Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the areas of organizational development, performance, and advocacy. Likewise, the means for education and partnership multiply when NGOs connect with other NGOs or organizations. The Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance study, “NGO Networks: Building Capacity in a Changing World,” cites key characteristics shared by most networks and diverse approaches to NGO networking. In analyzing these characteristics and the way that networks function, a brief history of network ideology and NGO networking since the 1980’s, when such partnering practices became more common, provides background to the topic. NGO networks operate in many different areas of society and the circumstances from which they form are likewise varied. It is understood that as the challenges and benefits of NGO networking are negotiated, the present and future of NGO networks will remain a learning process that means continuing to evolve as engines of change.


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