contents

1. europe’s forum on international cooperationimpact of e-networking on development cooperationFriday 10 September 2004, MaastrichtHuub Mudde, Coordinator Euforicwww.euforic.org www.euforic.org

2. contents • Euforic • Development <-> E-networking • What is e-networking? • Experiences • Lessons learnt • Is it worth the money? www.euforic.org

3. Networking for learning: what can we do? Annual General Meeting June 8+9 www.euforic.org - > about section www.euforic.org

4. 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 = http://www.euforic.org www.euforic.org

5. 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 www.euforic.org

6. 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 www.euforic.org

7. 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 www.euforic.org

8. what is e-networking? • Web-based community platforms • Discussion groups • Electronic conferences • Email distribution • Electronic newsletters • Internet-based distance training www.euforic.org

9. experiences • Euforic’s first e-conference • UNDP Capacity Development Review • ACP-EU Civil Society Information Network • Euforic e-consultations www.euforic.org

10. 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 www.euforic.org

11. experiences • UNDP Capacity Development Review • Facilitating 3 focused e-consultations • Cooperation with ECDPM, 2002 - 2003 • 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 www.euforic.org

12. 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 www.euforic.org

13. experiences • Euforic e-consultations • Southern perspective on EU development issues • Input in international conference www.euforic.org/sid-europe • 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 www.euforic.org

14. 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 facilitation, @ 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 www.euforic.org

15. 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 www.euforic.org

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

17. conclusion • (E-networking + face2face) x Influence + (Trust x Reputation) + 200%Perseverance ≈ Development • Thank you www.euforic.org

18. europe’s forum on international cooperationimpact of e-networking on development cooperationFriday 10 September 2004, MaastrichtHuub Mudde, Coordinator Euforic www.euforic.org