Community Skills Technology People Plenary Session 3: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships Anthony David Manager, People & Organizational Networking, Telecentre.org

Community Skills Technology People

Plenary Session 3:Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

Anthony DavidManager, People & Organizational Networking,

Telecentre.org Foundation

14 October, Budapest, Hungary


Multi-stakeholder partnerships pursue a shared vision, maintain a presumption in favour of joint problem-solving,

promote a work ethos that exploits mutual self-interest, and adds value beyond that achievable by the principal alternatives


“MSPs are creating lasting and meaningful impact at all levels of

action, meant to promote a more holistic approach to development & better

governance”

“MSP can be seen as an instrument for achieving development goals as

stakeholders with unique complementary strengths

or core competencies add value to development

efforts and pool their resources and assets in

solving problems”

“the central challenge seems to revolve around the nurturing of a working

relationship based on trust, mutual respect,

open communication, and understanding among

stakeholders about each other’s strengths &

weaknesses”

Stakeholders from each sector bring their own

organisational mandates, interests, competencies

and weaknesses to partnerships, without

open acknowledgment of these factors, and without

processes in place to facilitate negotiations

among stakeholders for optimal outcomes,

effective MSPs will not emerge.

Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

(MSPs)

Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

(MSPs)


Telecentre.org as a MSP case study

Digital revolution swept across the globe in the late ‘80s

Digital revolution swept across the globe in the late ‘80s

Large segments of society were excluded from its benefits especially in rural and

underprivileged urban areas

Telecentres came into existence when these excluded communities tried to gain access and information jointly. Initially it was not in a very coordinated manner but with time, the promise that Telecentres held for the developing world came to be realised with international bodies like the UN WSIS and ITU endorsing their benefits.

A central role for Telecentres to bring digital skills and

tools to the underserved and the poor was acknowledged


Telecentres: the evolution

Source: From the ground up (a publication of Telecentre.org)


The common commitment: Help communities enter the information age, embracing the knowledge economy on their own terms


Telecentres empower communities in a myriad ways

Brings the community

together and these

interactions help to:

•Adapt technology for local needs•Build social capital


Challenges that Telecentres have to face


Who are weTelecentre.org was the new face of the telecentre movement worldwide

What did we produce/offer?Telecentre.org helped to promote an ecosystem conducive to sustaining

telecentres. Developed national networks as means to advocating the same

Which and how many customers?Worked globally with some 80 nations; with over 200 partners; thousands of telecentres affecting millions of people

First five years turnoverLeaveraged USD 5M in favour of the telecente networks

Spent over USD 22M in programs

Transition into Phase 2Telecentre.org Foundation, an independent NGO takes over the legacy, functions and the work program with greater flexibility

First five years of achievementNetworks in some 45 nations of which 15 are vibrant; Telecentre repository; Websites in 4 languages; a robust system for the Academy; One global community

* Source: Florencio Ceballos

1 Global Community 45+ national networks60+ f2f workshops 70+ countries involved200+ organizations 4000+ members80,000+ telecentres 80,000,000+ users


• Bringing Digital opportunities , developing skills and stimulating innovation at the base of the pyramid

•Collaboration•Partnerships

• Bringing Digital opportunities , developing skills and stimulating innovation at the base of the pyramid

•Collaboration•Partnerships

Supporting the telecentre movement by empowering its stakeholders and actors with capacity, linkages, content, services, knowledge

assets and partnerships so as to strengthen telecentres as tools for achieving inclusive growth and socio-economic development

•Value-addition through telecentres•Poverty Alleviation

Supporting the telecentre movement by empowering its stakeholders and actors with capacity, linkages, content, services, knowledge

assets and partnerships so as to strengthen telecentres as tools for achieving inclusive growth and socio-economic development

•Value-addition through telecentres•Poverty Alleviation


Programme Strategies (2010-2015)


works with various stakeholders that are committed in harnessing the potential of digital opportunities for poverty alleviation at the grassroots via Telecentres globally.

Telecentre.org & its MSP approach


Telecentre.org’s Operational Framework


Shifting from ‘networks’ to ‘MSPs”

Characteristics Networks MSPs

Purpose Joint value creation by all members, identification of strategies to engage with decision-makers

Advocacy for change, implementation of change

Area of Focus Research, Information sharing, implementation of strategies

Advocacy, policy-making and implementation

Management & Governance

Network manager or sponsoring institution, self-governing, self-regulating, dependent on informal leadership

Tend to be managed by CSO, development agencies, organisations that play a facilitating role. Generally have a name and identity, presence of a secretariat to facilitate the functioning of the partnerships

Membership Institutions with somewhat similar core objectives and agendas and those with shared interest in exchanging ideas, generating knowledge or mobilising capacity for collective action

Institutions that may have different agendas but are brought together because of a perceived common purpose


Benefits of MSPs to telecentres



MSP process is not straightforward :Too much talk & no action (continual meetings and discussions and no recognisable and tangible result being achieved)

+ Enlist all key stakeholders+ Reach an agreement on a shared vision+ Establish procedures for accountability and measuring progress (checks & balances)

for MSP process to succeed:


Concluding Note

“Knowledge about MSPs as reflected in my presentation is not perfect. It is meant to trigger debate and to serve as an open invitation for all

stakeholders with MSP experiences in the area of ICT4D especially in telecentre arena to share their

perspectives and knowledge on the subject”

Thank you!

Please get in touch with us:

Telecentre.org

c/o CICT-NCC Building, Room 106, C P Garcia Avenue,

UP Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, The Philippines,

Phone: +6329200101 ext. 1301; +911145754005

TeleFax: +911145754006

Email: [email protected]: www.telecentre.org

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Community Skills Technology People Plenary Session 3: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships Anthony David Manager, People & Organizational Networking, Telecentre.org