Alumni work in Southern Africa InWEnt Regional Alumni Conference Middle East and North Africa *MENA Bibliotheca Alexandrina Alexandria, Egypt 29 October to 1 November 2008

Contents Context Main activities in the last two years Highlights Challenges and obstacles Perspectives and future programs

Main activities Encourage and motivate the formation of networks in Southern Africa Establishing and maintaining contact  Informal networking  Round tables  Breakfast sessions  Focussing on interdisciplinary or generic topics of discussion eg current affairs

Networking Networks meet the needs of individuals to be connected to,share and exchange information with likeminded others.

Why network Networks create platforms and opportunities for  Social interaction  Development  Participation in thematic discussions  Interaction with experts  Exchange experiences  Form alliances  Develop partnerships  Improve cooperation

Succesful networks Personal capacity building Developing cooperations eg consultancies Increases knowledge Broadening of horizons Sharing of experiences knowledge and info Broaden your scope of work

Highlights Networks in the region  Anafric Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana National Networks  Zambia  Malawi  Ghana

Highlights Professional networks  LED in South Africa The LED network has 250 members from local provincial and government officials, consultants, facilitators and other organisations working on the development of local economic development  Quality management 60 members from the SADC region exchange knowledge and skills. Involved in developing an online course for InWEnt on QM as part of the Management skills course

Social activities Namibia Zambia Malawi Informal networking Bringing together all professional networks Attending functions at the Embassy Attending functions of other German organizations Information about Germany GhanaAssists in the preparation of candidates leaving for Germany, and those returning home Training Zambia Malawi Identified and implemented training needs of the network Strategic planning for the Network Project management Job creation Zambia Quality management Network Used a consultant trained by InWEnt Introduce Inwent trained specialists to the German Embassy Development of skills course for InWEnt Provides assistance to Trade Africa on the subject of QM

Challenges and obstacles Limited resources and capacity Distance Limited face to face interaction Access to internet High rate of mobility Time

Perspectives and future Programs Professional Networks in the making  Trade Africa  Pronet  Global Trade Custom administration *50 members within the SADC region Namibia  national network

Lessons learnt A coordinator or point person is necessary Face to face meetings facilitate the process Keep in touch Members must see the benefit Identify and seek partners Be patient!

We have to be the change we want to see in the world M. Ghandi

Thank you!