OTB PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT SUMMARY

On day one of the OTB Partnership Summit we deepened our understanding about the importance of cross sector partnerships in bringing about sustainable change.

Mrs Eunice Mathu, Editor in Chief of Parents Magazine inspired us by reminding us that two are better than one and that a rope made from three cords is hard to break. She spoke of the Kenyan way of Harambee – pulling together – a term that emphasises two of the basic community development principles – community participation and community ownership. Eunice told us we must work in partnership with community and ask the questions of them  “What do YOU want?  and  How do YOU want it?” She also emphasised that change requires leadership. – a characteristic she completely epitomises.

Eunice left us with the message that we CAN fix our own problems particularly if we work together in partnership

Nadine El Achy Managing Director and Maria Kidney, Partner of Out of the Box had a conversation with us about how we can all be involved in changing the world – highlighting that small actions can lead to change and that all people can be part of working together with a vision to changing the world. They also highlighted that we need to ensure that change is a process not just an end.

A panel then grappled knowledgable with what has been achieved with the MDGS, also giving hope to progress with change and the importance of partnerships in the post 2015 development agenda. They confirm with us that strong global partnerships based on the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and mutual accountability are critical to post 2015.

Ambassador Bethuel Kipligat from the Africa Peace Forum spoke passionately of our common humanity as one people and the need to find a spark to galvanise people to action.

Banu Khan Program Specialist from UN Women spoke about ensuring we work with like-minded partners, focus on our own strengths and remain accountable but above all to keep our partnership simple.

Niall Marriott, from The Partnership Initiative emphasised the importance to search for a business case with strong economic outcomes for embracing sustainable change.

Isaac Kalua from Green Africa Foundation highlighted how the environment needs to be considered in all development activities and left us with the following succinct thought – Think Green, Act Green.

We have also actively worked together to identify ways of systemic collaboration, ably led by Niall Marriott from TPI. Firstly, groups considered the barriers preventing effective partnering in Kenya and then, turning to the positive, addressed what can enhance cross sector partnerships. All groups brainstormed innovative solutions from the perspective of the different sectors – the UN, Government, NGOs, Business and the Media.

Finally, after a very theoretical day we were bought back to the grass roots with a presentation about a real cross sector partnership delivered by Martin Ballantyne, CEO, Friends of Londiani (an NGO), Dr Betty Langat, Director of Health, Kericho County (Ministry of Health), Monicah Ngongoo, Director, Identity Partner (a printing business based in Nairobi) and Norah Sirma, (representing the community of Londiani). We had an excellent presentation on how a cross sector partnership can work effectively on the ground and gained an understanding that it is energy, enthusiasm, respect, trust and many more variables that sustain a partnership that can create lasting change.

We shared the power of partnerships and began to understand what we all have to offer in building these cross sector partnerships for change.