europe’s forum on international cooperation impact of e-networking on development cooperation Friday 10 September 2004, Maastricht Huub Mudde, Coordinator Euforic

contents Euforic Development E-networking What is e-networking? Experiences Lessons learnt Is it worth the money?

Networking for learning: what can we do? Annual General Meeting June > about section

introducing euforic Facilitating policy process Bridging research – policy - advocacy –Multi-stakeholder network Europe’s development policy and practice Euforic as the platform –Facilitator – information broker –Sharing information –Stimulating dialogue Membership driven development –Stimulating joint projects Key product =

development e- networking “Powerful possibility to engage in international partnerships and in helping to achieve the MDGs” Conclusions from Euforic Annual General Meeting E-consultations and -debates Southern network Groupo Chorlaví –Social learning Latin American rural societies

MDGs ICTs e-networking MDG 8: Develop a global partnership for development ICT: Target 18: In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies – especially information and communication technologies Networking: UNDP – HDR 2001 (Making new technologies work for human development) –“The ultimate significance of the network age is that it can empower people by enabling them to use and contribute to the world’s collective knowledge. ” Electronic-networking

what is e-networking? Learning oriented process Supporting advocacy Adding value to individual action E-networking –Part of interactions –Non e-forums: human trust, understanding, building a shared vision E-network –Fixed group –100% electronic

what is e-networking? –Web-based community platforms –Discussion groups –Electronic conferences – distribution –Electronic newsletters –Internet-based distance training

experiences 1.Euforic’s first e-conference 2.UNDP Capacity Development Review 3.ACP-EU Civil Society Information Network 4.Euforic e-consultations

experiences –Euforic’s first e-conference –October 15, 1998 –Real time: 2 – 4.27 PM –21 active participants, 4 topics, 77 messages –Web-based online –It was a new creative way, a learning exercise in itself –Small core of key people who knew each other –However a one-off exercise, not mainstreamed in the work of the organisations involved

experiences UNDP Capacity Development Review Facilitating 3 focused e-consultations Cooperation with ECDPM, High level prestigious project Champions + reputation UNDP No pre-existing network Multi-media mix: e-networking with face2face Output oriented: –Input in Roundtables –Publications –Network –Database –-> new knowledge is created Internet communication costs: 10% of total budget

experiences –ACP-EU Civil Society Information Network Stimulating information exchange among civil society in ACP and EU Website & info products existing Structural e-networking is not taking place –Big visionary objectives but a real focus and common purpose are lacking –Network had to be built with no real champions involved –Interactions with face2face have been scarce –Cultural and political differences are hampering trust building –Competing interests – initiatives undermined the added value of the network

experiences –Euforic e-consultations Southern perspective on EU development issues Input in international conference –FR+EN failed –Too little time and resources –No pre-existing networks –Little experience with e-networking –Organisation/moderation by European organisations –ES valuable output –Building on existing network –Face2face meeting at the beginning –Southern champions involved as of the start –Experience -> proposed realistic format and outcomes –Negotiated additional funds –Special slot in plenary of conference –Publications –All contributed to ‘new’ knowledge

lessons learnt The people –Pre-existing core group –Involve the appropriate people including champions –Real commitment: It is about netWORK, together working towards one deliverable, creating new knowledge The content –Clear objectives- focus – output The instruments –Keep it simple –Telephone for for the content The context –Link e-networking with face2face It is not easy to involve politicians and decision takers Outcomes need to be incorporated into other products –Reputation of organisor

is it worth the money? Cheaper than face to face? –Yes but face2face as well More inclusive? –Yes but digital divide Impact on policy? –How to measure? New M&E requirements –Process rather than project –Influence rather than impact

is it worth the money? Influence = 1.A functional, vibrant, group or community of individuals and organizations + 2.The quality of the social learning process and its results and products + 3.Dependent on how much the target audiences trust the knowledge generated and the group of people who generated it Julio Berdegué, Grupo Chorlaví

conclusion (E-networking + face2face) x Influence + (Trust x Reputation) + 200%Perseverance ≈ Development Thank you

europe’s forum on international cooperation impact of e-networking on development cooperation Friday 10 September 2004, Maastricht Huub Mudde, Coordinator Euforic