Editorial:How to make our partnerships even better

By Ulla Strøbech, director, MS Uganda

This was the theme of one day Open Space workshop at the MS Uganda annual meeting. It was an opportunity for partners and MS to reflect on how we can work better. The point of departure was the baseline survey from 2003 which had established that the most pertinent issues were: governance, indicators of achievement and reporting, staff motivation, legality, membership, local funding, financial management, the future vision, management style and lastly content of programs.

Many new and old issues were generated during the Open Space, a method where participants bring forward problems, which they want to discuss with other participants. The participants set the agenda and come up with solutions to the problems raised. Of the seven prioritised areas for improvement four suggest training in various areas like management and human rights. We can all ask for more training and wish for it, but training also has to be very specific and often on the job training will help an organisation develop.

To be clear on the partnership goal – this was number three on the priority list, and that is a healthy sign. Followed by a need to work out indicators for achievements and to do it together with members on the one hand and MS on the other. Those areas live up to the demands of partnerships. If we do not keep our goal in sight, training and workshops are not necessarily taking us to what we want to achieve: fighting poverty. These demands go both ways – we give and benefit. As one participant said: we give and go home with something else.

The Open Space also brought out the demands on MS performance. There should be space for members/partners to come up with problems in relation to working with MS, how is MS performing. This is very welcome and a step on the way to be on more equal terms with MS. We know that the partnership is not equal, but I think MS will definitely benefit from criticism and suggestions from you. I will also encourage you to revisit our booklet on ‘Partnership – a smart way of reaching high goals’. Get it from MS if you do not already have it and discuss it with your board.

I would like to thank all the participants in the annual meeting for their input, not only on how to improve our partnerships, but also on how we can access information and participate in the decentralisation programme.