1. Developing Effective International Partnerships
Hugo Kamya, PhD
Simmons School of Social Work
(Synopsis of presentation delivered at the APM on November 9, 2009)

2. Overview Importance of international partnerships Role of reciprocity
Developing effective partnerships
Lessons, challenges and ethical considerations
Recommendations

3. International Partnerships
A growing and expanding field
International collaboration
International exchanges
CSWE mandate
The Local and the Global

4. Key Assumptions Solidarity with host communities Service learning
Human rights and social justice perspective
Mutuality and collaborative practices
Reciprocity
Role taking (Mead, 1934)
Transformative learning (Mezirow, 1991)

5. Developing Effective Partnerships
Consulting key stakeholders
Exploring needs of host communities
Cultural and educational guides
Participant groups
Site visits

6. Relational Stances Appreciative Inquiry
Striving for cultural curiosity
Honoring local knowledges
Host community resourcefulness
Collaborative partnerships
Empowering processes
Accountability
Flexibility and Nimbleness
Relationship as horizontal

7. “Goodness of Fit”: Work categories
Humanitarian Aid
International Development
Child Protection
Health/Mental Health
Conflict Prevention/Management
Human Rights
Micro vs Macro Skills
Headquartered vs Field Based

8. Entities UN Agencies International and National NGO’s
Governmental Organizations
Military Organizations
University and Educational Organizations
Donor Organizations
Local and Regional Organizations
Opposition Groups
Secular and Religious Organizations

9. Lessons Learned
Basic social work skills and practice are necessary for global practice
Complex issues of concern
Knowledge and understanding of global social welfare and comparative social welfare policy techniques
Global justice and human rights policies
Basic tenants of social work values and ethics

10. Lessons Learned Roles of religion and culture in the global context
Refugee and internally displaced populations
Torture and resulting effects
Capacity building
Program/Project management
Grant writing
Ability to work in unstable and non-secure environments
Conflict management
Utilization of networking and collaborative work with communities, agencies and governments

11. Challenges Linking field placements to global curriculum
Linking practice, research and policy
Building solidarity with host communities
Building sustainable relationships
Nurturing relationships
Addressing security and administration of programming
Managing host community expectations
Clear expectations: MOUs
Competition among international agencies
Change of guards (Deans)

12. Key issues to consider Meaningful role taking
Establishing long term partnerships
Matching students with practica
Institutional support, capacity & funding
Comprehensive design
Pre-departure preparation
Regular field support and self-care
Direct supervision
Video conferencing

13. Issues (cont.) Ongoing reflection (journaling etc) Time commitment
Reciprocity
Cultural immersion
Examining the ethics of the work
Licensing

14. Recommendations Integration of more global content in curriculum
Advocacy training
Community based participatory action research, evaluation, programming and monitoring
From service to solidarity
Building culturally responsive approaches
Social development and links to social work interests

15. International Partnership
A 2 way street based on mutual respect and interest
A win-win situation