Plenary Session 3: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships Anthony David

1. Plenary Session 3: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships Anthony David Manager, People & Organizational Networking, Telecentre.org Foundation 14 October, Budapest, Hungary

2. Multi-stakeholder partnerships pursue a shared vision, maintain a presumption infavour of joint problem-solving, promote a work ethos that exploits mutual self-interest, and adds value beyond that achievable by the principal alternatives

3. Stakeholders from each sector bring their own organisational mandates, interests, competencies and weaknesses to partnerships, without open acknowledgment of these factors, and without processes in place to facilitate negotiations among stakeholders for optimal outcomes, effective MSPs will not emerge. “MSPs are creating lasting and meaningful impact at all levels of action, meant to promote a more holistic approach to development & better governance” Multi-stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs) “the central challenge seems to revolve around the nurturing of a working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and understanding among stakeholders about each other’s strengths & weaknesses” “MSP can be seen as an instrument for achieving development goals as stakeholders with unique complementary strengths or core competencies add value to development efforts and pool their resources and assets in solving problems”

4. Telecentre.org as a MSP case study

5. Digital revolution swept across the globe in the late ‘80s • Large segments of society were excluded from its benefits especially in rural and underprivileged urban areas PROBLEM??

6. Telecentrescame into existencewhen these excluded communities tried to gain access and information jointly. Initially it was not in a very coordinated manner but with time, the promise that Telecentres held for the developing world came to be realised with international bodies like the UN WSIS and ITU endorsing their benefits. SOLUTION A central role for Telecentres to bring digital skills and tools to the underserved and the poor was acknowledged

7. Telecentres: the evolution Source: From the ground up (a publication of Telecentre.org)

8. The common commitment: Help communities enter the information age, embracing the knowledge economy on their own terms

9. Telecentres empower communities in a myriad ways Brings the community together and these interactions help to: • Adapt technology for local needs • Build social capital

10. Challenges that Telecentres have to face

11. Who are we Telecentre.org was the new face of the telecentre movement worldwide What did we produce/offer? Telecentre.org helped to promote an ecosystem conducive to sustaining telecentres. Developed national networks as means to advocating the same Which and how many customers? Worked globally with some 80 nations; with over 200 partners; thousands of telecentres affecting millions of people 1 Global Community 45+ national networks 60+ f2f workshops 70+ countries involved 200+ organizations 4000+ members 80,000+ telecentres 80,000,000+ users First five years turnover Leaveraged USD 5M in favour of the telecente networks Spent over USD 22M in programs First five years of achievement Networks in some 45 nations of which 15 are vibrant; Telecentre repository; Websites in 4 languages; a robust system for the Academy; One global community Transition into Phase 2 Telecentre.org Foundation, an independent NGO takes over the legacy, functions and the work program with greater flexibility * Source: Florencio Ceballos

12. Vision and Values Missions and Goals • Bringing Digital opportunities , developing skills and stimulating innovation at the base of the pyramid • Collaboration • Partnerships • Supporting the telecentre movement by empowering • its stakeholders and actors with capacity, linkages, content, services, knowledge assets and partnerships so as to strengthen telecentres as tools for achieving inclusive growth and socio-economic development • Value-addition through telecentres • Poverty Alleviation

13. Programme Strategies (2010-2015)

14. Telecentre.org & its MSP approach works with various stakeholders that are committed in harnessing the potential of digital opportunities for poverty alleviation at the grassroots via Telecentres globally.

15. Telecentre.org’s Operational Framework

16. Shifting from ‘networks’ to ‘MSPs”

17. Benefits of MSPs to telecentres

19. MSP process is not straightforward : Too much talk & no action (continual meetings and discussions and no recognisable and tangible result being achieved) for MSP process to succeed: + Enlist all key stakeholders + Reach an agreement on a shared vision + Establish procedures for accountability and measuring progress (checks & balances)

20. Concluding Note “Knowledge about MSPs as reflected in my presentation is not perfect. It is meant to trigger debate and to serve as an open invitation for all stakeholders with MSP experiences in the area of ICT4D especially in telecentre arena to share their perspectives and knowledge on the subject” Thank you!

21. Please get in touch with us: • Telecentre.org • c/o CICT-NCC Building, Room 106, C P Garcia Avenue, • UP Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, The Philippines, • Phone: +6329200101 ext. 1301; +911145754005 • TeleFax: +911145754006 • Email: info@telecentre.org • Website: www.telecentre.org