|
Module 10: Establishing Partnership Processes
10.3 What are the key
partnership methods?
Participation
Participation is a key element of any partnership.
In implies the active engagement of partners and customers in sharing
ideas, committing time and resources, making decisions and taking action
to bring about a desired development objective.
Effective participation occurs when group members have an
adequate and equal opportunity to place questions on the agenda and to
express their preferences about the final outcome during decision-making.
Participation can occur directly or through legitimate representatives.
Community and stakeholder participation
Understanding and acceptance of the PPP by residents is
key to the success of the policy and ultimately to any partnership.
It is of little value to go through the process of preparing a policy
and attempting to put it into practice, if the concerns
of the end users, have not been addressed. In preparing the policy,
the PPP committee should make a special effort to ensure that the
residents who will be affected by the project have an opportunity
to have their say the process. For example, the committee could host
public meetings or open houses to both inform and solicit input from
residents. At the conclusion of the process, the committee could
put in an advertisement in a local paper indicating that the policy
is now finished and providing information on where copies are available.
The community is more likely to support a PPP policy
if it has participated in its development. The consultation process
leads to creation of a community, as opposed to a government, PPP
policy.
Consultation
Practice shows that there is never enough communication between
the partners. Regular meetings and discussions among the
partners during the course of the strategic planning process will help
to avoid misunderstandings and serious drawbacks during the project
execution.
A PPP brings together two or three completely different
cultures, so it may take time for each partner to become familiar with
the other’s
corporate language, culture and approach to the business at hand. Communication
vehicles that could be used include:
◊ regular meetings;
◊ an internal newsletter;
◊ E-mail, Intranets, faxes and other electronic communication instruments;
◊ a communications committee made up of representatives from all partners:
public, private and community; and
◊ reports to the municipal council.
Dealing with conflict
Development interventions often change power relationships
between groups in society. Some groups stand to lose,
while others gain from such interventions; as a result, conflicts
may emerge. Conflicts are a common part of social interaction, but
they have a negative impact on all who are involved. Hence effective
mechanisms and techniques for conflict prevention, management and
resolution are necessary. Transparency and information sharing can
eliminate conflicts caused by incomplete or distorted knowledge.
Participation and ample space for the expression of different viewpoints
can prevent conflicts from occurring [see Tool
20].
© 2004 UNDP, Manufactured
by Margraf Publishers GmbH, Germany |