The Christian International

NGO: Direction, Value and

Impact in 2025

EU-CORD Special Event

28-29 May 2013

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Who We Are

EU-CORD is a network of European Christian non-governmental organisations from 12 Eu-

ropean countries engaged in relief and development activities. Founded in 1997, the

network has a Secretariat based in Brussels.

Our Vision

A world without poverty, where people are no longer excluded and all have a voice in

shaping the future.

Our Goal

Through mutual cooperation to make a significant and recognisable contribution

towards the eradication of poverty and social exclusion, and to enable the voice of

people living in poverty to be heard.

Contents

Introduction 3

Some Key Reflections 4

The Development World: From Now to 2025 5

Christianity and Development: A Changing Dynamic? 6

Role for International NGOs 7

Christian NGOs: Making a Difference 8

Panel Discussion: Our Development Future and the Future for NGOs 9

Way Forward for EU-CORD 10

List of Speakers and Panellists

Mr Huib Huyse, Head of Research Group on Sustainable Development, HIVA/KU Leuven

Ms Helen Stawski, Deputy Secretary for International Development, Office of the

Archbishop of Canterbury

Mr Henk Jochemsen, Director, Prisma

Mr Claus Sørensen, Director General, DG ECHO, European Commission

Ms Dicky Nieuwenhuis, Executive Board Member, Woord en Daad

Mr Olivier Consolo, Director, CONCORD Europe

Ms Kornelia Kinga Kiss, Policy Officer, DG DevCo, European Commission

The event was moderated by Randall Zindler, Consultant in leadership and governance

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European development NGOs are working in an increasingly complex and complicated

environment. New development actors are leaving civil society organisations in a position of having

to fight for recognition; the general public and supporter base in Europe can be increasingly cynical

and critical of the way in which NGOs work; donors are continuing to call for evidence of results,

greater impact, value for money, transparency and accountability; climate change and other

factors are leading to an increase in the number of disasters worldwide; the face of poverty is

changing as countries graduate to middle-income status whilst large sections of their populations

remain poor. In a quickly changing environment, what does the future hold for development? How

can European Christian NGOs navigate such an environment? What is our distinctiveness and how

can we show it?

EU-CORD’s Members and EU-CORD itself were born during a different era in international

development discourse and practice. Much has changed in the world in the sixteen years since

EU-CORD was formed. The changes of the last sixteen years, and the changes that we will see in the

next sixteen, provide both opportunities and challenges to organisations working in relief and

development. It is clear that we will not be able to continue working in the same way.

The EU-CORD special event “The Christian International NGO: Direction, Value and Impact in

2025” (28-29 May 2013, Brussels), which brought together leaders of EU-CORD, had these questions

and reflections at its heart. It gave EU-CORD Members a chance to look at the implications of such

developments for their own organisations and for the network. The conference was born out of

recognition of different trends, a desire to move towards more intentional collaboration within the

network, rethinking of advocacy and reflections around the nature of faith-based organisations.

The focus of the conference allowed participants to look at how the above trends affect us and

how they will affect our interactions with others in Europe and in our partner countries. Speakers were

asked to be deliberately challenging in order to help move these discussions forward. The event is

not the end of these discussions. Although no clear outcomes were foreseen from the beginning,

thoughts and reflections taken from the conference will feed into the work of Members and of

EU-CORD.

Through reflections on the future of the development world, we spent time focusing on projection

and how to respond with hope. Faith, hope, projection and planning are interlinked ideas, based on

the future and things that we cannot see. As it is written in Hebrews 11:1, “faith is confidence in what

we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. We have confidence that we can play a

small part in alleviating poverty and achieving social justice. We have assurance that the part we

play can continue to be relevant, effective and in solidarity with those living in poverty and affected

by disasters. But we know that the way we play this part will have to change, much as the world is

changing and the development paradigm also needs to change. How can we adapt to a new and

ever-changing world order, anticipate trends and help to change that world order while remaining

true to our values, our vision and our mission? Looking to the future, projecting and planning are

important but we must do this with faith and hope.

This document provides an overview of the ideas and discussions during the conference, and is

designed both for participants at the conference and for external readers who are interested in the

content and discussions.

Leif Zetterlund, EU-CORD Chair

Ruth Faber, EU-CORD Director

Stephanie Beecroft, EU-CORD Advocacy Officer

Introduction

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The direction, value and impact of Christian international NGOs in 2025 will depend on…

Reclaiming and shaping a holistic vision of development which includes faith and spiritual

wellbeing as an integral part of the development narrative.

Working in partnership to build global citizenship and local society for a just and sustainable

world for all.

Recognising that a sustainable world requires a radical rethink of the norms of lifestyle and

consumption.

Equipping and promoting the role of local and international faith groups and organisations.

Putting values back at the heart of what we do and pushing for dialogue with other

stakeholders on the question of values.

Talking about faith with partners to reach more holistic partnerships and overcoming

viewpoints where faith is used as a barrier to change rather than a driver.

EU-CORD will continue to reflect on the questions and challenges posed by the event as they

relate to the themes of: relevance, advocacy, networking, partnership and values.

Some Key Reflections

What We Have Learned

Panellists for the discussion: ‘Our Develop-

ment Future and the Future of NGOs’

Conference participants Audience participation

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The Development World

Where will the development world be in the year 2025? So much can change in a little more than a

decade, as highlighted by Huib Huyse, Head of Research Group on Sustainable Development at HIVA/KU

Leuven. It is imperative to continually reflect on how we can adapt and respond to the changing world.

There are many possibilities for what the world will look like in 2025. The HIVA Research Chair produced

research finalised in 2012 on scenarios for the development world in 2020, with three different imagined

hypothetical scenarios, known as Cold Green, Lonely Neighbours and

Paradigm Shift. The main ideas of these scenarios are as follows:

environmental sustainability but significant social problems; regional blocs

and a lack of global responses to global issues; a shift in paradigm and

diversity of actors experimenting with alternatives. In all three of these

scenarios, existing practices in development cooperation would be

fundamentally challenged as traditional North-South relations are changed.

There are many different drivers of change that will influence the direction of

the development world in the future. Unforeseen events could also have a

dramatic impact on the future. The way the world looks in 2025 will depend

to a large extent on which drivers of change are paramount. Unexpected or unprecedented events will

affect the direction of political will to force certain drivers of change into the limelight. We can see the

basis for these drivers of change already. We cannot, however, predict the events that will be sufficiently

alarming for public opinion to create a demand for change and alter the course of history.

By 2025 will we see a change of the dominant development paradigm? Until today, the basic global

economic power structure has stayed the

same throughout the history of development

cooperation. Development aid has been

disbursed without genuine critical

consideration of the basic power structures in

the world and their impact on development

potential. As presented by Henk Jochemsen,

Director of Prisma, within these power

structures, economic growth has primacy. The

dominant role of the market and

anthropocentrism at the expense of the

environment are other features of these

power structures. In the current development

world, economic growth is seen as a

prerequisite for social justice, when in fact

justice should have primacy over growth. Life

should be organised around the core values

of social justice and environmental

stewardship. Growth would no longer be the

be all and end all that it is today. Do we have

the conviction and the confidence to stand

up for this and the world we want?

From Now to 2025

What does the future development world mean for the EU?

Discussions at the event turned towards the EU and the

implications of the future development world for this

political and economic body which is also a significant

donor for development cooperation and humanitarian

aid. Various speakers expressed views on this subject. A

proliferation of new donors and new development actors

raises some important questions for the EU. Some of these

donors, for example China, work from very different

development and cooperation models and there is

evidence to suggest that governments in various nations

are finding themselves attracted to models offered by

these alternative donors. It is important for traditional

development donors like the EU to listen to partner

governments, but also local civil society, in a genuine

fashion. The means available to the EU in its international

cooperation are decreasing. It is possible that the EU will

have a relatively smaller role in development cooperation

in the future. However, working towards sustainable

development through all policies can have a greater

effect on the development world than larger aid budgets.

The EU will need to work on its smart power in a global

context if it is to have an impact in the world. This should

put international solidarity at its core, focusing on long-

term and value-based partnerships with responsibility at

their heart. Rights and development should go hand in

hand, and here the EU has an added value and can

engage in this around the world. The EU needs to be a

political actor that creates an environment for sustainable

development and respect for fundamental rights through

the whole spectrum of its policies. Conference participants

Huin Huyse, HIVA/KU Leuven Research

Chair

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Christianity and Development

A Changing Dynamic? The current dynamic within the development cooperation sector shows a disconnect between the local

church and the mainstream development sector. Such were the opening remarks from Helen Stawski,

Deputy Secretary for International Development at the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In spite of

this, many of the values inherent in development cooperation are Christian

values. The mainstream approach to development however, is slow to

recognise the sector’s Christian roots. And yet, this mainstream approach is

far from value-free. Henk Jochemsen, General Director of Prisma, highlighted

that all organisations involved in development cooperation bring their own

faith or worldview into their work. Nevertheless, secular organisations may not

recognise or acknowledge this.

In the quest for acceptance and professionalism Christian NGOs have

moved too close to the mainstream and have become unwitting disciples of

the modern approach and paradigm. There has been a separation of

mission and development and the Christian community has largely lost its

unique approach of marrying spiritual, physical and material development and wellbeing. Some Christian

organisations however, are starting to bring these elements back together. It was noted that Christian

NGOs had separated the practice of mission and development in order to avoid accusations of

proselytism, and to be recognised as professional development actors by institutional donors and other

organisations. It will be important, therefore, to monitor the impact of bringing mission and development

together again.

Religion itself can also be viewed with suspicion. We need to be acknowledge that religion can have a

negative impact and that a country's history and experience will inform its perceptions and practice.

Faith-based organisations are sometimes viewed with suspicion because of an impression of preaching to

others without putting their own house in order. In fact, positive change occurs when churches and faith-

based organisations accept that the world’s problems do not only stem from outside. The Church operates

from a position of brokenness and from that position it can work better for change. The Church should not

present itself as the solution to all problems. In reality, according to a Christian way of thinking, the idea of

permanently and completely solving the problems of poverty and inequality is an illusion. Evil and disorder

in the world cannot be overcome by development cooperation, aid and technology. Poverty has many

facets and goes beyond lack of money. Even the eradication of absolute income poverty in the world

would not mean that each person would enjoy holistic and sustainable

development. However, this should not discourage development actors from

doing their utmost to achieve sustainable development and social justice. For

Christian organisations, involvement in development cooperation allows

development actors to demonstrate signs and indications of the Kingdom of

God through our work.

Despite the avoidance of the question of faith by many development

cooperation actors, faith is in fact at the heart of development. Meaning, and

the quest for meaning, can be as important to people as food. Spiritual

aspects should be addressed alongside material aspects of poverty.

Nevertheless, it is important to consider faith within culture and not in isolation. Faith is not the defining

identity of any one person. Within the context of development, faith should be considered. It should not be

set apart, but rooted within the culture of the society. This is not happening enough. Faith has not been

taken enough into account in theories of change. Just as faith should not be removed from culture, so

people of faith and faith-based organisations should not be apologetic about thinking beyond or

differently to the secular view of development. But nor should people or organisations always have to

highlight their faith background. Most faith-based organisations are also very professional organisations

that carry out well-respected work in the fields of relief and development cooperation, and this should be

highlighted.

Helen Stawski, Office of the Archbis-

hop of Cantebury

Henk Jochemsen, Prisma

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Role for International NGOs

Now is a time of flux for European development NGOs, as stronger civil society in the South and an

increased involvement of other actors in development bring into question the role and added value of

European NGOs. More generally, space for civil society seems to be shrinking and this is a trend we are

seeing in many areas of the world. It will be important for international NGOs and civil society actors to try

to counter this tendency. The scenarios for the development world in 2020 presented by Huib Huyse

suggest a civil society that is paralysed and split. How can international NGOs empower citizens so that

the dignity of the individual can be valued and rights upheld?

Throughout the conference, the role of international NGOs was evoked by various speakers. Dicky

Nieuwenhuis put forward the possibility that the role of international NGOs will be smaller in 2025 and

presented this as something we should embrace, rather than try to fight against. If European NGOs

became smaller, it would put us on a more equal footing with partner organisations and would make us

more responsive and targeted. Civil society and institutional donors working in development cooperation

need to think more deeply about how to partner effectively and respectfully with organisations in the

South, including sharing power more equally and communicating around shared challenges.

Involvement by NGOs in service delivery was recognised by speakers as important for advocacy, as it

helps to give NGOs the legitimacy to call for change. However, this does not mean for the future that

international NGOs should continue to be involved in direct service delivery, which should be controlled

and implemented by Southern organisations. It was, however, suggested that partner organisations in the

South should not be expected to take the lead in all aspects of partnership. It is important for European

NGOs and their partners to discuss the issue of leadership together. Practical leadership could vary

depending on the project or issue and the expertise of the different partners involved.

The involvement of international NGOs in development cooperation should support the process of

development, helping people to establish and aim for their society’s own definition of wellbeing. NGOs

can play a role in empowering citizens, providing training and supporting them to achieve this. NGOs

should thus play a brokering role, linking people to other structures that could be a resource for them in

their own quest for wellbeing. A brokering role for international NGOs could also involve bringing in and

connecting various different actors, including perhaps a socially responsible private sector. However, it is

important to mention that involvement of the European private sector in development cooperation

activities is not universally welcomed and should certainly not be seen as a panacea. International NGOs

can also broker relationships that link the local level to the global and link people horizontally at local

level, for example through fostering South-South cooperation.

International NGOs in development cooperation may become smaller over the next decade or so, but

should not disappear entirely. There is a clear need for reinvention, however. Professionalisation of

international NGOs was necessary, but this has gone too far and disconnects NGOs from their local

societies and supporters. There is a need for international NGOs to find a new sense of relevance in their

own societies and to return to their roots if they are to remain important in global solidarity efforts. Moving

away from the jargon used in the effort to appear professional and attract funding from government

donors would be a step towards this. Even the word development is easily misunderstood by the general

public. Solidarity has more resonance and is also at the heart of Christian and NGO values. The challenge

will be to encourage institutions to conform to our values and language, rather than the other way

around. Greater self-confidence and better story-telling will be important in the attempt to achieve this.

Re-engagement of international NGOs with their own local society is also

crucial for critically challenging the global impact of unsustainable lifestyles

in the North. Citizens in regions such as Europe cannot continue living and

consuming outside the planet’s boundaries and in a way that risks infringing

the rights of citizens of other countries. European NGOs need to realise that

the roots of poverty and inequality worldwide are tied to their own societies.

International NGOs are well placed to increase their role in supporting

citizens of their local societies to better comprehend the impact of their

actions on the poorest and most vulnerable countries and populations

around the world, and to hold governments, companies and other actors

to account for their actions through advocacy and awareness-raising.

Conference participants

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Christian NGOs

Making a Difference There are many ways in which Christian NGOs can make a difference in development cooperation and in

interactions with various stakeholders. Six main ideas were identified during the event.

Build global citizenship and local society: Christian NGOs should help to build a global citizenship where

we realise that we are part of a common destiny and future. This will involve working more and better with

supporters and constituents in Europe, as well as building strong connections between civil society

worldwide. Christian NGOs need to focus on connecting the local and global, challenging the notion of

charity and promoting social justice. Our understanding of the world is not full unless others share in what

we have and we take responsibility for our actions in our local societies and on a global scale. European

Christian NGOs are well placed to promote involvement in global development and international solidarity

as a part of a lifestyle choice and to offer opportunities for involvement. It will be crucial to engage

supporters and citizens in alternative ways and encourage activism. Sharing the complexities and

dilemmas in development cooperation work will be important steps towards this.

Focus on people, empowerment and responsibility: Development cooperation should focus on the positive

possibilities of people, not on finding solutions to problems identified by donors and other external actors. A

focus on people and their potential should be central to the approach of Christian development NGOs.

This involves considering both rights and responsibilities. Are the people we work with, both in the North and

the South, ready to take up their responsibility as a creation of God? Do governments take up their

responsibilities for marginalised people within their populations? Christian NGOs should focus on supporting

populations and governments to take up their responsibilities, based on human dignity and

empowerment.

Put forward a holistic vision of development: It is crucial that Christian NGOs push for and engage in

discussions around the meaning and nature of development. We must demonstrate that the current

paradigm and economic structures do not work. This will involve moving away from practices that

perpetuate them and taking a leading role in dialogues on development beyond growth. An

understanding of and focus on the structural causes of poverty and injustice are required for this, as well as

advocacy for dramatic change. For this to happen, it is critical for Christian NGOs and faith leaders to

understand the overriding development agenda and debates around alternatives. This implies promoting

mutual faith and development literacy for faith leaders, development actors, constituents and faith

communities.

Promote the work of faith groups and organisations on the ground: There is a role for Christian NGOs in

investigating and promoting the added value of faith-based organisations. Local faith-based organisations

are often doing interesting work but without a connection to national governments, local authorities or

other local organisations. European Christian NGOs should be involved in linking local organisations with

other development actors in the local area and supporting better communication of the positive work of

such organisations. Faith groups often have access to areas where even other civil society organisations

cannot work. Christian NGOs can liaise with these faith groups easily and work on building their capacity

and effectiveness as well as supporting their involvement in policy and practice discussions in-country.

Talk about faith and overcome the barriers it presents: It is important for European Christian NGOs to talk

about faith with partners and to bring partners into a genuine dialogue on the subject. Faith-based

organisations should not be afraid to talk about faith to reach more holistic relationships and mutual

understanding in partnerships. In today’s dominant development agenda, faith is sometimes seen as a

barrier to change as it can encourage ideas of fatalism and dependency in communities. Christian NGOs

can work to overcome these barriers where they exist, using theology to encourage a different view, for

example by incorporating questions of environmental stewardship when working in areas affected by

natural disasters and climate change.

Return to values: Christian organisations were among the first to promote a more positive image of those

living in poverty. It is important to return to this positive image and communicate it. Christian NGOs need to

come back to our roots, value and mission of working with the poor and most excluded in solidarity for

holistic wellbeing and justice that help us to see an alternative for the current development paradigm.

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Panel Discussion

Our Development Future and the Future for NGOs

Mr Olivier Consolo, Director, CONCORD Europe

The development world is a complex one, and few

actors can truly handle the complexity. We need to

feel more comfortable moving between sectors and

break out of the silos separating them. The fact that

politics seems to be returning to the centre of the

EU’s international relations may go some way

towards achieving this by providing many different

tools for relations with countries outside of the EU.

But it is crucial that long-term development is

prioritised, and that other tools are coherent with

development objectives. For NGOs, the complexity

and changes in the

world make it

imperative to

reinvent ourselves,

return to our roots

and put values

back at the core of

what we do.

Ms Kornelia Kinga Kiss, Policy Officer, DG DevCo,

European Commission

Continuing with the theme of complexity in the

world, fragile states are certainly complex

environments to consider. By 2015, half of the world’s

poor will live in fragile states. Global poverty is

increasingly concentrated in fragile states, as are

most global conflicts. While certain of these

countries acknowledge that they are fragile, others

do not, creating very different dynamics in relations

with these countries. If the problems faced by fragile

states are to be adequately addressed within the

development agenda, it is critical for peace and

security to be included in the post-2015

development framework.

Ms Dicky Nieuwenhuis, Executive Board Member,

Woord en Daad

From a provocative stance, stronger civil society in

the South means that the role of European NGOs will

change fundamentally. With new actors appearing,

we will need to embrace a smaller role. In this

scenario, it is likely that the EU would still be a donor,

but would have a much smaller role. Cuts in the EU’s

budget will make policy influencing and the need

for policies to be coherent with development

objectives all the more important. In reality,

however, the world will not be poverty-free in ten

years’ time, so we can argue that there is still a role

for European NGOs. It is nevertheless important to

rethink partnership and make it clear to partners that

we share some of the same challenges if we are to

remain relevant.

Mr Claus Sørensen, Director General, DG ECHO,

European Commission

Responding to the provocation, there is still a role for

the EU and NGOs. For DG ECHO, NGOs are the

natural way of working. However, it is true that while

disasters and conflicts are increasing, the EU’s

means to respond are getting smaller. As the EU’s

financial weight diminishes, it will be important to be

in dialogue with new donors. But as a humanitarian

donor, DG ECHO must stay out of politics and can

only work in impartiality and neutrality. Returning to

the theme of values, the humanitarian principles are

very rooted in Christian values. There is not a

contradiction between a value-based or faith-

based approach and professionalism. All

organisations carry the baggage of their civilisation,

but it is important for humanitarian actors to remain

as neutral as possible.

Relief, Rehabilitation and Development: effective

linking by 2025?

The panel discussion brought up this question. For a

network such as EU-CORD, which brings together

both relief and development agencies, this is

naturally an important subject. EU-CORD has to

juggle the dynamics of the two sectors, which can

sometimes be dramatically different. Conversations

about resilience seem to be bringing relief and

development closer together, but the two will need

to go evermore hand in hand in the future. This is

one of the main challenges ahead. Relief and

development actors operate within the same

geography and, according to Claus Sørensen,

should do more to share common risk and

vulnerability analyses. Kornelia Kinga Kiss argued

that relief-focused NGOs should consider how to

become development actors, even in the context

of immediate response, ensuring that aspects of

capacity-building and state-building are prioritised

with the relief efforts. Knowledge and expertise

should be transferred to local populations to

empower them to respond better in the future. More prevention and preparedness will be

necessary as disasters and conflict situations

proliferate, and this will require those involved in

relief, rehabilitation and development work to think

and do differently.

The event included a panel discussion between representatives from the European Commission and civil

society organisations, focusing on the development future and our future as NGOs. The debate drew on

some of the themes which had already been discussed during the key note addresses and allowed a

significant amount of time for interaction between the conference participants and the panellists.

Panellists deep in discussion

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Way Forward for EU-CORD

Many of the possible scenarios for the development world and development cooperation have

implications for development NGOs, whether Christian or not. As the world changes rapidly, so will the way

in which organisations work. The onus is on each individual organisation to reflect on whether, and how,

they respond to the changing environment in order to meet their particular vision and mandate. However,

there is a clear role for network organisations like EU-CORD in supporting change. As we stand in solidarity

with each other as a network, how can these transitions be supported?

Membership of the network is not about forcing an organisation to change, but rather providing a space

which enables Members to look beyond the day-to-day work, to anticipate trends and together reflect on

what they might mean.

During the second part of the event, conference participants focused on the implications and way

forward for EU-CORD. Together, EU-CORD Members identified five key themes from the conference for

EU-CORD to reflect and focus on. These topics will be taken forward and discussed within the context of

the network and its work.

Relevance

Relevance is a dynamic concept. What is relevant today may not be relevant tomorrow. In order to

remain relevant we will need to keep informed and in step with society, while staying true to our identity.

The relevance of an organisation is apparent in and depends upon its mission, vision, relationships and

targets. To remain relevant, organisations need to add value for their stakeholders and those they work

and interact with. This includes partner organisations, those living in poverty and social exclusion, and

supporters, amongst others. Different dynamics are required in the interaction with each stakeholder but

organisations need to remain relevant to all.

The same is true of EU-CORD. The network needs to continue to serve the purpose of its members if it is to

be relevant. However, it is important to find and pursue a common relevance; what is relevant for one

organisation will not be relevant for all. EU-CORD’s relevance does not only focus on Members, however.

Stronger relations with Southern networks, bringing in and communicating more opinions from the South,

and achieving a more coherent, unique voice would support EU-CORD in maintaining relevance with

external stakeholders. The relevance of EU-CORD as a network is linked to a strong, clear identity as a

collective.

EU-CORD needs to be open to innovation, flexible and adaptable. There is a role for EU-CORD in scenario

mapping, reflecting on the future and identifying trends. Work around this would be both a way for

EU-CORD to remain relevant to Members and a way to help Members to have continued relevance in

their work, their partnerships and their society. It should be the role of EU-CORD as a collective to challenge

the status quo of individual organisations.

Advocacy

Advocacy was identified as an area where EU-CORD should focus more. The work of EU-CORD and its

Members can only be truly effective when it aims to change behaviour, attitudes, actions and policies. We

need to be more self-confident in the voice and experiences that we can share. We can help bring the

voice of those in poverty to the corridors of power, to which we have greater access. It is imperative that

we listen well to the voice of those we speak for, and encourage them to use their own voice. We need to

ensure that the voice of the poor and socially excluded is being heard. There is a role for EU-CORD in

helping Members to achieve that. EU-CORD should also concentrate on speaking out about the priorities

of the poor, rather than simply responding to the agenda set by others. Can we be prophetic in our

advocacy? To do this we also need to be more present and visible in debates about international

development and its meaning and nature. Can we question the paradigm that dominates in

development, economics and politics? Should we advocate for a different meaning of development?

Networking

Networks must help build relationships, appreciating the strengths and expertise of different organisations

and bringing them together to make them stronger than the sum of their parts. This idea is important for EU-

CORD. EU-CORD can facilitate the building of consortia and the coming together of different members

Copyright 2012 European Union

11

around a common goal. Acting as a catalyst for further networking could be part of the role of EU-CORD,

including by encouraging more networking of EU-CORD Members in the field. The role of broker could be

important for EU-CORD, taking responsibility for brokering regional networks and linking up networks in the

South. Although networking and linking up with other organisations are of utmost importance, the

increasing proliferation of networks can make it difficult for organisations to work effectively and in a

concentrated way. As an established network, EU-CORD could have a role in encouraging closer working

with other networks, more collective efforts and connections with other organisations.

Sharing and learning, and facilitation of this, should remain central to the work of EU-CORD, ensuring that

there is a practical purpose to the relationships within the network. EU-CORD should also be dynamic and

avoid becoming too institutional, continuing to rely on the efforts of members to drive the work forward.

Partnership

Partnership comes as a result of effective and purposeful networking. Within the EU-CORD network, the

common ground that members have in Christ and the trust that this brings helps to build good partnerships

among and between members for effective working and support. Partnerships can certainly bring

challenges as independent organisations try to adjust and align with one another. It is imperative that the

word power does not feature in partnership. Organisations must respect each other’s positions and

opportunities, and make each other stronger through the relationship.

Partnership also involves looking outside the network. Partnership outside EU-CORD could mean interacting

with many different organisations, with other actors in Europe or with organisations in the South. Different

types of partnership can be envisaged, both for EU-CORD Members and for direct partnership of EU-CORD

with other organisations and networks. Could we use the critical mass of EU-CORD to connect to non-

traditional development actors such as trade unions and universities? EU-CORD as a collective should play

a role in identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership both within and outside the network.

There is also a need and a potential within the EU-CORD network for learning focused on different types of

partnership and how to ensure these are effective, fruitful and meaningful. Considering partnerships where

money does not feature, and the unique characteristics of this, will also be important.

Values

The theme of values was identified as an overarching idea, set slightly apart from the other issues. Values

should be apparent in everything we do. The common ground is values, and common values among EU-

CORD Members should lead to a common attitude in our work. We need to be conscious of our values at

all times, communicate them to stakeholders and live them unashamedly. The challenge is to include

values in a professional way of working and a way that respects the people we are working with. This can

be accomplished by taking pride in craftsmanship as one of our core values. This combines a value basis

with professionalism. For EU-CORD, it will be important to look more closely into the values that Members

share and how communication around these values does and can take place.

Way Forward for EU-CORD

Group discussions Randall Zindler,

Moderator Group feedback Listening to Henk Jo-

chemsen

12

Ruth Faber

Director

ruth.faber@eu-cord.org

+32 (0)2 234 38 77

Stephanie Beecroft

Advocacy Officer

stephanie.beecroft@eu-cord.org

+32 (0)2 234 38 74

www.eu-cord.org

Published in August 2013

by EU-CORD, Rue Joseph II, 166, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Editor: Stephanie Beecroft