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Partnerships |
Launch of a Regional Support Networkfor Democratic Dialogue Processes in Latin America and the Caribbean |
Last December, forty practitioners met in Buenos Aires, Argentina to launch UNDP’s regional Support Network for Democratic Dialogue Processes. The new mechanism will provide technical assistance to national processes supported by UNDP’s Country Offices in the Latin American and Caribbean Region. The technical support is offered in the design, organization, facilitation and evaluation of dialogue processes. It also proposes capacity building initiatives for staff and counterparts. The launch of the network responds to the increasing demands for targeted and tailor made support to improve the quality and impact of dialogue processes. Those processes are used to address complex societal problems which are not tackled adequately by existing institutions. Their goal is to create the conditions of trust essential for shared solutions, reduce tensions leading to violent conflict and improve democratic governance. The network, which is an integral part of the Regional Project on Democratic Dialogue, brings together a group of skilled practitioners from the entire region with proven experience in supporting such dialogue processes. The organization and delivery of the network’s support has been shaped by the demands of COs and the experience acquired by the project in delivering support in over 10 countries during the last two years. The network offers a structured way – rather than a formal – of delivering support, provides a platform for learning between practitioners and guarantees rapid | response to country offices. It is also novel as it draws on a solid group of practitioners which can both contribute and benefit from their involvement in the network while maintaining their relations and work with other institutions. It is important to emphasis that the network will develop gradually and through ongoing dialogue with the offices and the national counterparts. The network does not offer formulas but experience and methods that must be adapted to each process’ particular situation. Therefore, the starting points will be different in every country and every process. The immediate steps for the network will be to prepare and spread the document that defines the principles and work modalities for the Network, establish efficient mechanisms and communication that permit the collective learning, establish and strengthen the national teams and improve access to the network through the Website. With the creation of this network, UNDP affirms its commitment in supporting dialogue as a crucial process tool for conflict prevention and development. Marc-André Franche |