Achinta Bhattacharya CLPOA ======================== [Welcome by Ashis Roy, Tomorrow's Foundation] I have been in the field for 25 yrs and I have been learning from a cross section of people. I am trying to build up a network. NGOs do innovative things but they remain isolated. There should be a platform that coordinates the activities between NGOs. Basic reason behind CLPOA. 35 staff in the organization. We do not have strong administrative hierarchy in our organization. We have tried to build relationships between the various stake holders. The coordination is extremely necessay and underlying spirit. We are all partners. 300 in all in different parts of WB. We have been asked to give some input to the 11th 5 year plan to guide government planning process. It is beneficial for us. Our primary activity is networking the organizations. It is in true spirit of partnetships with organizations including the govt. We should complement the govt effort. We should pilot small effort and show how to scale it up. We maintain this spirit. We work with 5 govt departments (education, health, social welfare, police) Building relationship requires continuous work. Every month we have a meeting the organizations. NGOs were a little introvert because of the sustainability fear. The picture is changed today. Most organizations want to share so that the practices get replicated. Not all organizations are single a level of competency. We try to standize the competency level and identified areas of weakness. Their capacity is built so that they can provide the best services to the children. Our sensitization programs covered all police stations in entire West Bengal. Police department coordinated with us. It was a learning experience for us. I used to see them outside. We saw police officers from within. They are first fathers/mothers and then they are police officers. We try to find the man/woman within. We found that they want to do something. Interaction is necessary on a regular basis with all stakeholders so that mutual trust can be built. It is therefore important that we meet. Coming together builds solidarity. One organization cannot convice the govt. The policy makers will respond if all of us approach as a group. I would like to stress that we have to tried to involve the govt officials. Mutual distrust has broken down and we are much very much wanted by the govt in their various programs. One program for deprived urban children is funded by SSA. It is largest program in India. It covers all expenses for 25K children. Formal schooling being run by 63 organizations. If we earn the trust of the govt, they will depend on you. In the planning commission, there is a lot of emphasis on NGO partnership. They openly welcomed all the organizations. It is good that we can input in the planning process. Our office is Kolkata municipal corporation building. It helps to see CLPOA as a close partner for the govt. Networking with academic institutions: JPISC (Jay Prakash Institute of Social Change) is a close partner. One thing that is lacking is that NGO activities are not documented enough. There is very little research work. The academics can help validate the results. There is also an open discussion on funding of projects. All our financials are shared with the partners. As a coordination entity it gives us some credibility. We found that Govt depts. have very good officials. Without having met them, we should not blame them. We should interact with them and make them aware of the issues. Relationship building requires continous communication. We work with children. Children should be free to express their choices. We have a children's council with 90 members. We left them free to evolve. The children do the coordination, they conduct the meeting, presentations. This gives us opportunities and ideas. In the childrens council we heard about the "right to be born". Because they are children who are living on the streets. Abortions should be stopped because the child is not allowed to be born. We must listen to them, their opinions while we are shaping programs for them. The most important thing is that no organization should have ego over others. We have to unlearn many things to establish the relationships. We had to face problems with organizations and government departments - misunderstandings and strong feelings. We have to make them understand. ---------------------------------- Q. Organizations are busy and stretched. Also there is ego. How do we overcome the hurdles? [Achinta] When we started it was not smooth. It is difficult to express how something happens. Creating an atmosphere where organizations can meet is important. Q. How can network with other networks? Some of them are older. How can one help identify niches. [Achinta] Two types of networks, issue-based and general networks. Ours is a general network providing coordination and building solidarity among organizations. Our thrust is on building relationships. If it is issue based, it is difficult to get an entry into the network. Networking in a general sense is important to break the barriers. You have to make them realize specific strengths and weakness. It is an issue that you have to make them understand that they cannot do everything. [joydev] When the network is an outcome of the necessity, then they are stable. AWARD is the premium network, late 50s. Recently another approach in which the network may be driven by the govt/international organization and they focus on specific topic. They are funding the network. Organizations join out of the need to secure funding and many have hidden agendas. Look at the psychology and where there is a need. Coalitions are never a permanent phenomen.