BUILD two day meeting 24-25 May 2004

CONTENTS

Introduction

Monday 24 MayReports from Mondays breakout sessions

The Role of Interfaith Work and the potential role for BUILD How do you measure and demonstrate the benefits and results to those involved

in the link? Who Can We Maximise the Potential of our Disparate Organisations without

creating another bureaucratic organisation? What is the message we want to convey? How do we get it over to the opinion-

formers? Leadership, Support, Action The Importance of Mutuality and Reciprocity in Linking Partnerships Partnerships for Understanding Development and Global Education in Higher

Education How to develop links between diverse groups in UK and the South and enhance

and benefit from these.

Notes on plenary session 6.30pm

Tuesday 25 MayWhat are the issues BUILD could and should take action on

Discussion Group Notes Case for Evaluation Clarity of BUILD Best Practice Awareness Raising Advocacy

Participants answers to questions posed by John Wilson

Wrap Up

List of delegates

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Introduction

This meeting was designed to enable members of BUILD (Building Understanding through International Links for Development) to spend time looking strategically at how its aim, to encourage international partnerships between communities of all kinds in the UK and the South, could be delivered more effectively.

BUILD was created as a coalition of agencies following a two-day meeting at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor in October 2002. Since its creation BUILD has:

enabled and encouraged important joint work between member agencies created and launched an all-party parliamentary group “Connecting

Communities” held meetings with senior politicians (Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for

Education and Richard Caborn, Minister for Sports and Tourism) raised the profile of community partnerships within the membership and more

widely increased its membership to 42 agencies

Executive Summary

28 members of BUILD met for 24 hours at Hilton Avisford Park, Arundel. They were facilitated by John Wilson a freelance development consultant from Zimbabwe.

There was considerable affirmation of the aims of BUILD with some healthy critical thinking particularly from newcomers to BUILD.

The issues that BUILD could and should take action on were identified and included:-

the need for clearer identity for BUILD an understanding of what is meant by Best Practice in Community Partnerships the recognition of the potential role of BUILD and its importance on advocacy on

behalf of partnerships and the need for joined up work between government departments e.g. Home Office, DfID, DfES, Office of Deputy Prime Minister.

the tools for evaluation of partnerships

Task groups were formed which will undertake the following:

The strategic direction for BUILD with a programme of activity for the next three years

Tools for evaluation of North South Partnerships The production of a ‘Manual of Good Practice’ (MGP) which would include

a section on evaluation Raise the quality of thinking behind linking (to be incorporated into the

MGP). Advocacy amongst Government / Media / Faith groups

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The Role of Linking in Interfaith Work and the potential role for BUILD

Some members of BUILD are already involved in interfaith work e.g. Prince’s Trust,VSO, Anglican Church, Muslim Council of Britain, UKOWLA

It is important to recognise the importance of Intrafaith work, bringing together the diversity that exists within faiths e.g. Fundamental / Liberal wings and to recognise the intergenerational differences within Faiths.

Potential Roles for BUILD

1. Raise members’ awareness of faiths e.g. trips to faith communities (Birmingham)2. BUILD to arrange meetings with politicians e.g. Home Office, Active Community

Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister etc to raise their awareness of the role of North South Partnerships in interfaith work in UK

3. BUILD could emphasise the importance of the spiritual dimension of development work. Development is not just about access to clean water!

4. BUILD could bring together the Anglican Community with its diocesan links and the Development agencies for mutual learning. Increase development awareness amongst the Faith links and increase the knowledge of the Faith links by the development agencies.

5. Encourage the interfaith work here in UK to look at its role in conflict resolution in e.g. Middle East and Nigeria

6. BUILD to address General Synod on the potential for the diocesan links in the field of education etc

7. BUILD could bring together leaders of Faiths to explore the role of North South partnerships

8. There is the potential for developing a Strategic Grant Agreement with DfID for interfaith work and development

9. BUILD should increase its membership from amongst the Faith and development agencies e.g. World Jewish Aid, Islamic Relief, Christian Aid.

10.BUILD could develop a kitemark seal of approval for North South Faith partnerships

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How do you measure and demonstrate the benefits and results to those involved in the link?

Link defined as:

The sustained relationship between groups of people Is intercultural Provides real benefit to both ends of the link May be asymmetrical – benefits can be different at each end, but are of value to

the recipient

Examples of groups of people (communities):

Schools Churches Businesses Clubs Hospitals Local and regional government (not central) Professions Active groups or movements Etc

Benefits to be looked for:

Global benefits – “Truths universally acknowledged” within which sponsors would like to align themselves

The benefits or results Proven by or measured byBreakdown of xenophobic boundaries

Difficult to demonstrate direct link, but unnecessary, as self evident

Greater mutual understanding (particularly by those who may have great influence e.g. future leaders Fair tradeToleranceWorld health

Community benefits

A. Planned outputs

The benefits or results Proven by or measured byPractical/infrastructure support:e.g. building or refurbishmentcurriculum developmentskills/ideas sharingfundraisingcampaigningraised profileetc

Did it happen and how well?- cost benefit- predetermined

indicators- etc

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B. Unplanned outcomes

The benefits or results Proven by or measured byCapacity building & increased social capitale.g.increased confidence; sense of competence; connections; understanding; trust between and amongst community members and key contacts

Comparison of baseline, via:- longitudinal studies- interviews with

community members- interviews with selected

local observersSelf evaluation by hosting communityMeasurement of pre-agreed Key Performance Indicators

Individual benefits – to those directly involved

The benefits or results Proven by or measured byThe visitors

- Broader horizons- Self confidence- Heightened ambitions- Changed perspectives- Increased status- Etc

Interviews with individuals and those they are associated withSubsequent career tracking

The hosts- As for “B. Unplanned outcomes” above and “The Visitors” above

Specific ideas that emerged during the discussion: Introduce a quality mark from BUILD Toolkit for impact evaluation Collect case studies (honest – good and bad) Essential to clarify expectations of both sides (possibly through production of a

memorandum of understanding)

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How Can We Maximise The Potential Of Our Disparate Organisations Without Creating Another Bureaucratic Organisation?

BUILD has clout because of: its multi-lateral nature; its capacity to open up new avenues and to influence; the fact that it is independent, non-partisan, secular. However, is BUILD a forum; is it providing a service; or is it creating a bandwagon?

FocusBUILD should focus on the political/Political agenda; on raising awareness at key levels; on an achievable but limited number of areas; on those where there is good multiplier potential. These are likely to be: education; business, the media, faith/interfaith. These are not (and could also be linked to DFID target groups and SGAs). BUILD should be proactive but also responsive to new initiatives (such as NEPAD and the Commission for Africa) when these present relevant opportunities.Clear objectives are needed regarding what BUILD wishes to achieve in each target area.

A structure for fundingIn order to plan effectively for the future, BUILD needs a sounder basis of financial support. This does not imply the setting up of a membership organisation which could reduce its capacity to take risks, be proactive as well as responsive, fleet-of-foot and relatively light on administration and bureaucracy. It could be achieved by establishing a template for a MoU-type agreement between BUILD and its major supporter agencies, so that BUILD will receive regular core funding against agreed deliverables. Being able to demonstrate tangible support from its partner agencies would also improve opportunities for acquiring external funding. Smaller agencies should contribute more informally.

BUILD and UKOWLABUILD should remain essentially strategic – acting at the level of policy and advocacy. It is not operational but its members are. UKOWLA is operational - it DOES things on the ground.BUILD is at the centre of the linking network and can signpost directions for both government departments and partner agencies at a strategic level.UKOWLA is the gateway to specific links, experience and expertise in a wide range of sectors in different areas of the world. The new Directory is already starting to map these links. A simple visual mapping of these relationships and groupings would be helpful. Other linking organisations should also be included.BUILD is an interagency coalition; UKOWLA is a membership organisation.

Revising the Vision and Strategy documentThis has always been a working document. After BUILD’s first trial year it can now be tightened up. The passion needs to come through more strongly in the Plan: the Vision (4) and the impact (2) could be integrated; media and business should be included in 5; development should be seen to refer clearly to both North and South; clear distinctions made between strategic and operational.

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WHAT is the message we want to convey?HOW do we get it over to opinion-formers?

BUILD’s USP (unique selling point) is that it is unique. Cross-sectoral coalition of agencies working collaboratively to enhance social

cohesion through international inter-cultural partnerships Its primary task should be in advocacy, lobbying for linking, partnerships We need to address:

o Business, the corporate sectoro Government, ministers and senior civil servantso Head of major NGOso Supa-nationals (EU, UN etc)o International funding institutes (IMF, World Bank)

Note: many business want to embrace a more altruistic global agenda. BUILD can offer a “safe” way to do, avoiding the negative aspects of eg. Anti-capitalist protestors.

The Language of linking “partnerships” conveys more than “linking” other key words/phrases

o global, internationalo responsibilityo connecting communitieso social cohesion

The Proposition(to be used eg. With chief executives)

We can help you/work with you To make an effective contribution to social cohesion both locally and

internationally Provide a gateway to a coalition of agencies with wide expertise in international

cross-cultural partnerships building between communities, in many sectors includingo Educationo Environmento Healtho Local governmento Providing a unique networking opportunityo In lobbying, advocacy

The message will vary according to target; eg. Different pitch to DfES and DfID, HSBC etc.

General PointsWe can help deliver your agenda in (……eg education)We can support and inform your policy/understanding)Help build links with international communitiesWork with employees at local levelOffer adviceImprove learning and understanding

Geoffrey Findlay

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Leadership, Support, Action

Mike Smith UKOWLARichard English OxfamJeff Goddard BESOJustine Quinn Eden Project

BUILD Functions A forum for exchange of ideas, practice, contacts A service Carrying out (through members) of projects Lobbying – with greater weight than individual members at

Politicians Business Media “Generating influence in seats of power” A mouthpiece for linking

SustainabilityBUILD can only be sustained in the longer term by commitment of funding by members – probably on a service level agreement basis. Reliable funding provides a sound basis for search for further funding.

BUILD needs a clear plan for 2-3 years listing actions to be initiated. BUILD needs to prioritise and focus within its vision.

BUILD should seek to actively engage its members,How is this to relate to a structure that enables participation and yet reduces the size of meetings?Individual members take the lead on working parties/projects/lobbying?

UKOWLA & BUILDRole needs clarification – and if UKOWLA is to continue to effectively act as executive and secretariat then some financial support such as the service level agreement referred to will need to be invoked.

BUILD is an association of agencies of which UKOWLA is one but acting as executive and secretariat to the BUILD. UKOWLA is a membership organisation.

Any structure for BUILD and its relationship with UKOWLA in particular should avoid too much bureaucracy.

Independent chairmanship (chairing) of BUILD continues to be a good idea

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The Importance of Mutuality and Reciprocity in Linking Partnerships

The group agreed that BUILD’s core aims should be as a representative coalition to support and lobby on behalf of a cross section of agencies. Its primary focus should be in formal education from early years onwards.

BUILD should support multi-lateral partnerships built on respect with each partner contributing and benefiting equally.

Further to these aims we agreed a number of points:

1) Linking partnerships should be grounded in a purpose with clear objectives. e.g. with school partnerships specific curriculum links between the partner schools. However there should be some flexibility to allow for the incorporation of new and relevant ideas.

2) Innovation to be encouraged in partnerships

3) Be pragmatic in use of technology and use it to further the aims of the partnership.

4) One of BUILD’S objectives should be to find a new language to progress it beyond previous misconceptions around the semantics of the words “linking” or “twinning”.

5) BUILD’s Charter should set guidelines for good practice linking and membership of BUILD should act as a Kite Mark for quality in international linking.

6) BUILD should be promoting members interests – lobbying government and acting as the champion for the linking movement.

Sandy Henderson,DFID Global School Partnerships.

Mike Smith,UKOWLA.

Henry Warren,Africa Bookcase.

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Partnerships for Understanding Development and Global Education in Higher Education

Adama Mboge UKOWLAAngela Cook Cambridge Education FoundationCatherine Hester Oxfam CymruRaul Pardinaz-Solis Skillshare International

Participants identified a niche with a potential for further development - higher education institutions - to build their awareness of interdependence and international development.

There are some examples to look at:

In Wales Swansea Institute is working on sustainable development projects. It seems that sustainable development theme is a driving force for HE institution to explore global partnerships overseas – developing countries.

British Council is working in some accreditation modules. There are approximately 35 institutions of higher education working on global courses in the UK. However, HE institutions are not flexible enough to give credit to courses developed outside their academic bodies.

South Bank University in working with UKOWLA and VSO, developing an accreditation module for teachers working on global links. Teachers in the UK and overseas could benefit from this accreditation.

Cambridge Education Foundation has developed an accreditation course for teachers in the south working in school linking. A university in Ghana credits this course.

General teaching Council in England has an accreditation module for teachers in England working in school linking.

The Open University and the BBC is going to launch a postgraduate degree (M.Ed.) and accreditation module for teachers.

Cambridge University has a residential postgraduate degree module in collaboration with 3 universities in South Africa.

Skillshare International and the Medical School in the University of Leicester have set in partnership a Special Study Module on health and development for medical students.

Issues to be considered:

1. Universities have budget constrains. Therefore any partnership and global course have to bring money, increase students’ umbers and profile for the university.

2. There is the need to carry out an audit/survey to identify what is happening in HE and global education/development education/overseas links.

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3. Funding is limited in HE other sources are essential

4. Identifying good practice to show case studies that highlight creative ways of doing thinks at HE.

Point for Action:

Networking among several organisations.Audit of HE and global courses or accreditation modules.Bring on board key players.Identifying HE funding criteria and inspections demandsExplore ways to raise the profile with exam boards

Other Possible Initiatives:

Incorporating a global literature references by translating relevant text from academic in the South

Exploring partnerships among dissimilar bodies, e.g. HE institutions, civil society, NGOs, etc.

There is a niche for agencies working on global education / development education / international development to work with HE institutions.

The challenge is to engage them and highlighting how this work will benefit their institutions and graduates. In seems that today’s the message that is beginning to engage HE institutions is sustainable development – environmental impact.

How do we build from this initial interest?

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How to develop links between diverse groups in UK and the South and enhance and benefit from these

Or

Where do we stand on being truly diverse in our strategies on which we engage with in the UK?

1. Some of the key ways to reach out were identified:

Through schools Through special interest groups e.g. linking the Wiltshire Police with the Kenyan

Police; farmers groups, medical profession Through specific initiatives run by organisations like Princes Trust – bringing

young people from a diverse background together and organising trips to developing countries and enabling them to use and disseminate their experience within own communities and elsewhere on return

Inter-faith links Music and cultural links e.g. festivals and cultural events like Brick Lane Festival

etc. However the challenge here is to take it on from the superficial to the more engaged. More thinking needed here.

Sports and football; Multi-nationals and businesses

2. Key issues to address:

VSO type exchanges are not seen as the answer or won’t resonate with diverse audiences in the UK – so what are the alternatives?

Trust is the key element – important that voluntary organisations who aren’t seen to have other agendas apart from the commitment to linking act as facilitators

Need a unifying factor e.g. food, football, faith, music – but beware these can be seen as dividing factors as well

3. A schools model:

Linking schools in UK from less diverse communities with schools from more diverse community with school in south – working a triangular relationship to address diversity issues

Look to mutual benefits – is language one of them? Pressure on schools with monocultures to address diversity – open door here

4. This model could be used for other sectors e.g.

Football clubs from Burnley, a less city and a southern city In the business community e.g. linking chambers of commerce in London

(Asian); Glasgow and Lahore

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Plenary session 6.30pm Monday 24 May 2004

John Wilson asked those who were leaving after breakfast on Tuesday and therefore unable to contribute for the rest of the conference to put forward any views, ideas of thoughts.

Mike Waldron: he found both sessions very inspiring. Ideas that came out of the second session he attended, mainly the triangular model about engaging diverse and non diverse communities within the UK and overseas would be a simple but effective tool and would use it within the Prince’s Trust.

Richard English: has learnt a lot about how BUILD and the movement of linking works and has learnt about the differences between UKOWLA and BUILD. He felt that BUILD should be involved in

Public awareness Advocacy Media and business engagement

He also felt that the triangular model of linking would be a very powerful tool.

Richard posed the question: How does BUILD get to a point where there is a clear vision and objective for the next 2/3 years, with everyone in the coalition having ownership.

Geoffrey Findlay: was very pleased with the increase of organisations wanting to join BUILD and felt that it was very positive. The diverse group of agencies involved was a very positive calling card and gave BUILD its uniqueness.

Angela Cook: found the session very valuable. The first session she attended address the impact of evaluation and found the suggestion made very helpful. She felt that it is very important to be able to give for example LEAs and corporate bodies figures to prove the impact of linking.

Nigel Thompson: found both sessions very stimulating. One of the questions that came out of the first session was whether “linking” was the right word. This provoked a very interesting discussion, perhaps drop the word “linking” and look at it another way?

Sandy Henderson: in her group Henry Warren described multi-lateral links, not just North/South but wide ranging.

Andy Barton: found the day very energising, it was great to have people all thinking the same way and the pooling of information was very useful.

He mentioned a website www.linkedin.com which is a networking website.

John Wilson asked: how are you feeling in terms of BUILD – will it take off?

Catherine Hester: was waiting to learn more and felt that something amazing was about to happen but did not know what yet. She felt it was a luxury to have space for critical thinking and found it very inspiring.

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Mike Smith: was involved in the “leadership/support/action session and posed the questions:

What is BUILD? What is its relationship with UKOWLA? How to sustain BUILD?

These need clarification.

Carole Milner: felt that the coalition of agencies that is BUILD is coming together and is very dynamic, it can take risks, it has had successes in the past year that can now be built upon.

Nick Maurice: found both groups he attended very inspiring and helpful. The first session was about the role of UKOWLA and BUILD and he found that it has helped to clarify the relationship of members of BUILD and BUILD as an entity.

The second session was about interfaith work and the importance that BUILD has in that work he felt that it has given BUILD a sense of direction and practical things that BUILD can be engaged in over the next 2 years.

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WHAT ARE THE ISSUES BUILD COULD AND SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON

In order of agreed priority by participants

1. BUILD must be clear about its identitya) sphere of influenceb) clarify roles especially in relation to UKOWLAc) what is it for

2. Make best practice a) tangibleb) not prescriptivec) visabled) explicit

In summary “how to” equals guide lines and a took kit, examples of good practice eg child protection

3. Beware tokenisma) “this is our diversity”b) importance of awareness raising with teachers embarking upon linksc) recognising equality in links

3. Advocacy particularly in government encouraging “joined up thinking” between departments and pushing eg. DFID, DFES, sports, culture etc.

5. Develop simple evaluation tools for linking to show impact.

6. How can BUILD be sustainablea) Core funding, become a more realistic organisationb) Decide on modelc) (must consider ethical funding)

7. Ensuring the perspective of the Southa. Co-ordinating links with the Southb. Through the International Conference creating an international forum

8. How to structure BUILD with UKOWLAa. How to engage members without being cumbersome

9. Care for the language of linkinga. eg linking/partnerships/relationships

10.Selection of “members” of BUILD, we need a wider coalition but what about those with a “less clean past”

11.Must link with other organisations in Northern countries that are working in the same field

12.Must include the diaspora

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13.Must facilitate shared learning in “a buddying” system

14.Fundraising for links

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Each group gave a 5 minute talk on what had been discussed in the groups and the action to be taken and by whom.

Case for EvaluationTwo areas of action: Clarify the case for evaluation; discuss with wider groups

North and South

Clarify means of evaluation; identifying outcomes to all types of links

Who: Andy Barton agreed to lead the project and Adama Mboge, John Chapman agreed to help.

How: gather information from all BUILD and UKOWLA members, feedback to a forum and then trial it.

Anna Colquhoun cautioned about school links, look at what goes on the formal education sector. Schools already have an enormous amount of form filling/evaluation already and might not be best pleased by more forms.

Timescale: to be completed within 12 months.

Clarity of BUILDNeed to clarify the role of BUILD, that what and the how, and its sphere of influence to include Wales/Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Four questions arose: What’s BUILD’s strategic role?ForumAdvocacyEnabling/Facilitating

What’s UKOWLA’s operational role?

What is the rationale behind what BUILD does?

How does this rationale influence process?

Action: Need to extend/develop model of Memorandum of Understanding – as basis for funding agreements

Mapping of members and their engagement in different areas (to be actioned by Nick, Nigel and Pepi).

Who: Sandy Henderson, Richard English, Geoffrey Findlay, Stephen Lyon, Carol Milner, Anna Colquhoun, Jo Pyres, Catherine Hester happy to feed in ideas.

Timescale: finish within three months.

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Best Practice

Action: Scope a study (including costs)

Fundraise for the project

Commission it to a consultantReview existing literature (UNDP)Look at broad range of current activity North & SouthSelect exemplars (use case studies)Derive professional “lessons learnt” & evaluation and methodologies

End product: draft principles and guidelines.

Present first draft to International conference in South Africa in 2005

Produce final version

Decide format of principles and guidelines eg, web based, booklet etc

Who: need an editorial group engaged in N/S linking (UKOWLA)

UKOWLA has already started this process and has scoped out the study and put in an application to the Baring Foundation.

Written into Good Practice would be the evaluations.

Awareness Raising

Raising the quality of the “Thinking behind Linking”, the group were very concerned about raising the quality of the thought process behind linking.

Action: form a working group representing faith, civic, EES, GSP, race equality council and others

Make new links between our organisation and lobby at a higher level.

Aims: look at what we are going to do and how are we going to do it

Awareness training days for teachers embarking on links.

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“first do no harm”

Challenge stereotypes and understand developing countries.

Who: Mary Young, Mark Payne, Jo Sang, Sandy Henderson

Raul: stressed the strategic role of BUILD in raising awareness and equality of linkingand BUILD needs to be lobbying key players at a high level.

The results of this project would be crucial to the Good Practice handbook.

AdvocacyNeed to wait until BUILD is more defined.

Key audience would be: GovernmentMinistersUpper echelons of the civil service. This would help to promote joined up thinking especially within DFID and DFES Different select committeesLabour back bench committeeCommercial organisations eg IMF/World Bank etc

How: Pool connections from BUILD membership. Henry offered to build a forum for discussion attached to the UKOWLA website.

Need to find out who and what we are – need to improve the language so it becomes more user friendly before embarking upon serious advocacy.

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John Wilson closed the conference and asked all participants to give answers to the three questions below:

1. What is the main thing you will be taking away from the meeting?2. What suggestions do yo have for future strategic thinking/planning

meetings for BUILD3. What, at this point in time, is your main burning question about the

future of BUILD?

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1. Clearer ideas and understanding of the possible or appropriate roles for BUILD. A sense of some forward movement in terms of specific action steps to be taken in some significant areas.

2. A need for a meeting focusing solely on the practicalities; the how and when of things, on eg. Fundraising. Planning specific activities with dates for next 12 months.

3. when will we create a BUILD budget for the next 12 months activities, to create a momentum of achieving plans (to have an effective secretariat run by UKOWLA)

Adama Mboge

Today’s discussion about the role of BUILD was the most important issue.

This should had been the starting point for work. I feel we miss the opportunity to build from the past 18 months by not giving us the space to reflect on that. We started from an open space activity that could have been more valuableto the “strategic planning” of BUILD – interagency coalition.

I would like to see the role of BUILD to evolve as a lobbying body at the hightest possible forum, strong awareness and understanding of key players at different spheres – political, corporate etc.

I will report back to my organisation the important issues discussed here and I hope we can contribute to BUILD role definition and lobbying strategic challenges ahead.

Raul Pardinaz-SolisSkillshare International

1. Lots of interesting ideas (as always) and passion. BUT I think we strayed away from the real, original purpose. This is going to mean extra meetings and consultations which won’t be easy to organise as few of us have the time – SO – enthusiasm but slight concern.

2. Go back to the original purpose of this meeting – BUILD: its purpose, role, structure and support

3. Go back to the original purpose of this meeting – BUILD: its purpose, role, structure and support (and UKOWLA by extension)??

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1. As a newcomer to the group I’ve found it extremely useful to get a clearer picture of the distinction and relationship between UKOWLA and BUILD and can begin to see how Eden might get involved. There is also a lot of overlap between the linking work various organisations, NGOs etc are doing and both BUILD and UKOWLA provide a great forum for joining up our own thinking let alone that of government departments!

2. More time – you can never have enough, but in order to move on from ideas and conversations more time to nail specifics, who what, where when etc would be useful.

More involvement from government and other Northern and Southern organisations involved in linking. Even if not actual “members” of BUILD (yet) their input and presence is vital and valuable. Having Ole’s perspective from Norway has been fantastic.

3. How easy will it be to turn conversation into action and walk the talk.

Justine QuinnEden Project

1. There is huge passion and commitment and common activity between the “members” of the coalition – we are progressing – alive and strong.

2. Another similar meeting ie 9-12 months before July conference – similar format – 24 hours sufficient.

3. Once we have consolidated some of the work of the last 24 hours particularly work of the first day – we will have the material and basis with which to raise the funds and ensure the sustainability of BUILD

Nigel ThompsonOve Arup

1. Responsibility for leading a project in the evaluation of the results/benefits of links.A larger network of people/organisations that support the work of enable, and whom I can supportEnergy and commitment to the vision of Enable

2. Some format please ….. it works well! Not located in the South East, more central

3. Get clarity quickly on BUILD’s purpose, method and how to keep “members” updated on activity and progress.

Andy BartonEnable

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1. Renewed enthusiasm for BUILD and the realisation that “meetings with space” such as these – strategic thinking – meetings will be essential in the future.

2. 1 ½ days or at least a full morning after the afternoon/evening session.3. How will effective co-ordination be achieved within BUILD? What is the

difference between BUILD and UKOWLA?

1. The need for some clear and fundamental thinking on organisation, roles, structure and functions of BUILD and UKOWLA in relation to the linking movement as a whole.

2. The process needs to be better adapted to the objective of the meeting and to facilitation clear conclusions.

3. What is BUILD aiming/able to achieve? (Shouldn’t this question have been asked at the start?)

1. Positive thoughts on a working group to tackle the “thinking behind linking” quality issue, as this is what has always bothered me most about schools linking

2. Another meeting could include report backs/sharing of information/further inputs into each of the key areas that people here are now going to be engaged with.

3. How can it really make a positivel impact/change attitudes/ensure that lessons are learnt from poor examples of linking that have occurred/are currently occurring, so that schools linking actually does lead to the things it is claimed to eg: greater cultural understanding/reduction in xenophobia.

Mary Young

1. A sense that BUILD could have a very strategic and valuable role in terms of lobbying and being a champion for its coalition members – also its ability to define good practice for integrity, ethics and value within international linking partnerships.

2. The emergence of strategic working groups is valuable and should be built on. This can provide more focussed strategic work.

3. Hopes that BUILD can and has the capacity to take forward the proposals from this meeting. Possibly more visible representation of Southern groups in future major BUILD events.

Sandy HendersonBritish Council

Global School Partnerships

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1. The fact that we have been able to form a working group that will be involved in exploring ways on how we need to progress the delivery of quality linking

2. BUILD to be structured into a General Council with working sub-groups which feed back on strategies and policies.

3. How do we move this forward? Timescales and action plans.

1. The awareness that the faith based communities have a huge contribution to make to development awareness in the UIK and the need to ensure good communication between these communities and the “professional” agencies: and that BUILD clearly has a key role in facilitating this.

2. Further reflection on advocacy and the way BUILD might act on behalf of member organisations/partners.

3. A clarification of the role of BUILD and the boundaries of who is/is not a part of it, what it will and will not do.

Mark Payne

1. My own, at least, clearer view of BUILD as a force for and about international linking at strategic levels, facilitating networking and collaborative working between “members” and between “members” and the “movers and shakers” in government, civil society, media and business communities. It should not get involved with linking issues at operational level. It is about supporting and informing policy etc.

2. For the next one, quite a lot of concrete thinking/proposals/reports should be laid on the table at the start, which can then be taken forward/critiqued/added to. To avoid going in more circles, eg re what BUILD is and what UKOWLA is. Particular issues/questions could be proposed or even agreed and defined before the meeting.

3. Can we keep it strategic? Will enough of the BUILD “key players” commit to MoU and £XK pa for 3 years?

Can we keep it open, flexible and unrestrictive? And unprescriptive? There are lots of models for linking and lots of different potential benefits to the different groups and communities involved. Is there a danger of trying to distil it down too much, to something meaningless?

Anna ColquhounLink Community Development

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1. a) The determination to engage with the local secondary school in Knutford (Cheshire), which has recently received substantial DfES funding to become the first “International School” in England.

b) The determination to seek ways to work with other UKOWLA/BUILD “members” to develop application of the programme I run within a “link” (ie longer term) context.

2. Start deciding what BUILD can’t/won’t do – probably with the aid of the views of key BUILD “members” as to how it can add value to what they’re doing or planning in the sector. Don’t lose the concept of a trade association.

3. How to give it a recognisable Brand as an asset to the sector and not yet another organisation or talking-shop, competing for attention and resources – “not so much an additional player, but improving the pitch and quality of play”.

John ChapmanCEI

1. Greater awareness of the broad agenda of linkingBeginnings of an understanding of some of the procedural questions that need addressing (in terms of BUILD/UKOWLA.

2. facilitated partnership events in Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland eg in Wales possibly a join event with BUILD (UKOWLA??), Cyfanfyd (the DE network in Wales, maybe British Council? To deepen mutual understanding of the many existing links (eg Dolen Cymru – Wales/Lesoto) and also help BUILD/UKOWLA to explore meaning of their UK-ness (shape advocacy targeted at Welsh Assembly?

3. As above – what is the relevance to /added value for/impact of this on Wales? Also, potential of links to achieve Oxfam’s advocacy goals?

Catherine HesterOxfam Cymru

1. A feeling of solidarity but insufficient focus “it’s all too much”2. I think we need another similar meeting in 6-12 months when the

various activity groups report back.3. We still haven’t addressed the issue of resources for the secretariat to

continue its work on behalf of BUILD

Nick MauriceUKOWLA

Nigel Thompson thanked everyone for coming and asked Ole Bjorn Ileby from Friendship North/South in Norway for his observations.

Ole spoke about the growing trend in linking, Friendship North/South is similar to UKOWLA and has learnt many lessons from UKOWLA.

Ole organisation has not yet managed to create a coalition similar to BUILD.

The Norwegian government has promised to give finances towards linking, perhaps this could be used as a lever with the UK Government.

Ole felt that the manual of Good Practice was very important, and it is valuable to share experiences, good and bad.

Ole finished by saying that he was very pleased to be here and would like to come back again and stay involved.

Nick thanked everyone for coming and said that he found the discussion very helpful, if a little overwhelming, but now has some strategic direction.

Nick thanked John Wilson who had given up two days of his time to facilitate the meeting.

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List Of Delegates

Andy BartonEnableThe Link CentreEmperor WayExeter Business ParkExeterDevon, EX1 3LLabarton@discoverenable.com

John ChapmanCEI AssociatesHouldsworth Mill Business and Arts CentreHouldsworth StreetReddishStockport, SK5 6DAcei@cei-assocates.org

Anna ColqhounLink Community DevelopmentUnit 39, Kings Exchange Business VillageTileyard RoadLondon, N7 9AHlink@lcd.org.uk

Angela CookCambridge Education Foundation53 Friars AvenueBarnetLondon, N20 0XGAngela.cook@cea.co.uk

Richard EnglishOxfam273 Banbury RoadOxfordrenglish@oxfam.org.uk

Geoffrey FindlayUKOWLAHope CottageRamsburyMarlboroughWiltshire, SN8 2PUGeoffrey.findlay@bigwig.net

Jeff GoddardBESO164 Vauxhall Bridge RoadLondon, SW1V 2RBjgoddard@beso.org

Sandy HendersonBritish Council10 Spring GardensLondon, SW1A 2PNsandy.henderson@britishcouncil.org

Catherine HesterOxfam CymruMarket Buildings5-7 St Mary StreetCardiff, CF10 1ATcahester@oxfam.org.uk

Ole Bjorn IlebyFriendship North/SouthStorgata 110155 OsloNORWAYlangt@vennskap.no

Nick MauriceDirectorUKOWLAThe Upper OfficeThe Dutch BarnElm Tree ParkMantonWiltshire, SN8 1PSnick@ukowla.org.uk

Carole MilnerHead of Returned Volunteer ProgrammeVSO317 Putney Bridge RoadLondon, SW15 2PNCarole.milner@vso.org.uk

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Pepi O'NeillAdministratorUKOWLAThe Upper OfficeThe Dutch BarnElm Tree ParkManton, Wiltshire, SN8 1PSpepi@ukowla.org.uk

Dr Raul Pardinaz-SolisDevelopment Awareness OfficerSkillshare International126 New WalkLeicester, LE1 7AJraul.pardinaz-solis@skillshare.org

The Revd Mark PayneChichester IDWAL OfficerDiocesan Church House211 New Church RoadHoveSussex, BN3 4EDIDWAL@diochi.org.uk

Nick PlattsAfrica Bookcase106 Coppergate HouseBrune StreetLondon, E1 8BHnick@africabookcase.org

Joanna PyresBusiness in the Community137Shepherdess WalkLondon, N1 7RQjoanna.pyres@bitc.org.uk

Justine QuinnEden ProjectBodelvaSt AustellCornwall, PL22 0EGjquinn@edenproject.com

Jo SangWiltshire Racial Equality Councilc/o Badger CottageLeigh HillSavernake ForestMarlboroughWiltshire, SN8 3BHsafam@fsmail.net

Mike SmithUKOWLA/SILC52 Brooklands AvenueSheffield, S10 4GDmikeanddot@hotmail.com

Marie StauntonDirectorPlan UK5-6 Underhill StreetLondon, NW! 7HSmarie.staunton@plan-international.org

Sir Nigel ThompsonDeputy ChairOve Arup & Partners13 Fitzroy StreetLondon, W1T 4BQNigel.thompson@arup.com

Mike WaldronHead of DiversityThe Prince's Trust18 Park Square EastLondon, NW1 4LHMike.waldron@princes-trust.org.uk

Henry WarrenAfrica Bookcase106 Coppergate HouseBrune StreetLondon, E1 8BHhenry@africabookcase.org

John WilsonBelford Mill CottageHalshanger LaneAshburtonNewston AbbotDevon, TQ13 7HTjwilson@spiritvaults.freeserve.co.uk

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