Networks for support, Networks for growth

Denis Hunt of the AIDS Consortium facilited a session on networking: The session was  for shairing best practices and to brainstorm deas for improving networking. The session was also to maximize and strengthen links as civil society for maximum impact as well to sustain the work of civil society.

She shared about her organisation the AIDS consortium's programmes of particular interest to me was the bua@ac sessions that her organisations run which is a space for dialogues on issues of concern, it also created opportunities for networking, sharing lessons and updares on the NSP.

The organisation is well know for its messaging on HIV and the training that affilliates get from the organisation. The organisations partners with a number of organisation on various campaigms to avoid duplication.

Jacqui Khumalo of the Children in Distress Network gave a presentation on networks and how they work. She said that networks are valueable because they  create a sense of working towards a common goal, sharing of resources, increasing the impact of the work and encouraging synergy. networks strengthen advocacy and a createsa space for a broader understanding of issues.

Jacqui then spoke about CINDI which was founded in 1996 and has 187 members in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Members are clustered into groups that reflect common activities to enhance collaboration. Learning and sharing of information happens at cluster level but also collaborations on issues of concern. The 3 key programmes are advocacy, organizational development and resource mobilisation.

Jaqcui also presented challenges of networking, these include; coordination of the network, relationships and communication,competion and sustaining commitment.She concluded by saying that networks play a vital role in ensuring that organisations are in a better position to improve service delivery.

Linda Naidoo of Child line said that they dont have affiliates but they mentor and capacitate social advocates who report cases of child abuse over the crisis line. They also mentor and capacitate community groups to be social advocates who also report child abuse cases. Childline networks with service providers in various provincial forums and local forum. She also tracks and tracks emerging  trends through their database and responds and capacitates advocate and network with communities, civil society organisations and government in repsonding to the protection of children.

Feedback from the group sessions was on mapping of services, communication and sharing of informatipon. The groups emphasised the importance of planning together and collaborating rather then competing with each other

on the whole this session was a great experience in that discussion around the power of the voice of the network took place and other forms of networks were discussed.

This is Jacqui Khumalo signing out

Till next time