| Poland – III General Assembly of the Don Bosco Network |
| Germany – “My world-one world” |
| Belgium – European Development Days |
In the meeting there will be discussion on the best ways of enabling the DBN – a world-wide network bringing together the Salesian-inspired NGO – to strengthen its role of organising development activities, in particular as regards the 4 large areas: drawing up a policy of shared involvement and the general coordination of initiatives; activities aimed at exerting pressure and promoting causes; formation and updating; communication, both within and outside the network.
In each of these areas the various actors in the DBN will delegate some of their decision-making freedom for the benefit of collective and coordinated action at central level so as to encourage activity which is really that of the network and capable of responding to the complex needs for development work.
As regards a common policy of intervention, the members of the DBN have already on a number of occasions recognised the need to move from a situation of competition to one of coordination, in order to improve the effectiveness of aid, and consequently of the work being done by the local agencies which are collaborating in development. The additional value of central coordination in this policy could be with regard to identifying geographical, typical and strategic priorities; the identification of complementary activities; the harmonising and sharing of examples of good practice and the methods acquired.
Also activities regarding pressure and promotion need to be re-thought from a point of view in which there is more integration of the various parts: considering that the members of the DBN are active on varied fronts, but with a shared aim– the defence of disadvantaged young people and respect for the rights of minors – exerting pressure internationally could be more effective if undertaken in a more systematic way and by a larger organisation.
In the area of formation the DBN could function as a platform to be shared by the various components, not only at the level of good practice as is already happening (education to development), but also through the adoption of modular programmes of formation, even spread over a number of years provided by members of the DBN for other members.
Finally, the credibility of the NGO, nowadays, is no longer associated only with the ability to undertake significant development activities. In the present context of media coverage, the visibility of an organisation becomes a means for publicising the messages it is trying to convey, in launching international appeals, raising funds … Similarly, effective internal communication between the members of the DBN is an essential requirement for any joint action. Making the work of the Salesian NGO known, understood, appreciated and supported at international level is a further challenge which requires the participation of all the members.
Published 27/01/2011
