Change - the heart of the matter?

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek….” (Barack Obama, President of the US)

 

Change; this is what I am learning the ECB project is about; Transforming the humanitarian landscape for the benefit of those disaster affected communities that we seek to serve. Whether this change will be revolutionary or evolutionary, it is too early to say. Either way, it is clear that we, as change agents have a big job on our hands.

 

The start-up workshops, so important in laying the foundations for this change, have continued into March and April 2009. Following on from the Bolivia workshop, I had a few days back in the UK. This was long enough for me to accidentally bring the roof down in our new bedroom during some over zealous Do-It-Yourself, and then I was packing my bags again for the next round of workshops, leaving my patient, lovely wife to deal with a pile of rubble and dust. This time Matt and I were headed to Africa for the for Horn of Africa and Niger start-up workshop events.

 

The Horn of Africa workshop was a more complex affair than the previous workshops due to the unique nature of this regional consortium. It was great to work alongside Polly (the lead facilitator) Wynn, Florencio and Elizabeth and we got a really interesting shared analysis of the priorities for the region by the end of day one, which was a superb achievement. Once again Disaster Risk Reduction appeared to be the issue that participants wanted to talk about the most. The affects of climate change on the livelihoods of communities in this region are obvious to see and it is particularly the traditional livelihoods of pastoralists which are suffering from the chronic drought and water shortages.

 

A desire to see more in the way of accountability initiatives being introduced into programming was pleasing to see. Staff capacity development was also on the agenda, supported by the presence of Jonathon Potter at the workshop, the Executive Director of People in Aid.

 

Day 2 went well too as we moved towards the detail of the Consortium Engagement Plan and tried to expand the shared priorities defined from day 1 into a list of objectives and activities. For me it was also a pleasure to be back in this part of the world, having spent nearly three years living in Kenya between 2004 and 2006. During breaks and lunch, it was lovely to be reminded of the beautiful sunbirds and fire finches that fussed around the Lantana and stunning, electric Bougainvillea, and how the rich, red soil smells after the rain. Unfortunately the traffic on the roads of Nairobi remains as awful as ever!

 

Matt and I had to leave on the morning of the last day, in order to make the final trip in this journey to Niger to attend the launch workshop here. It was disappointing to miss the last day, particularly when so much work had gone into the previous two days, but we knew we were leaving the workshop in very capable hands so this lessened the disappointment.

 

After an early start from Nairobi we landed into Bamako in Mali, intending to transit through to Niamey, Niger. Unfortunately, when we arrived, it became apparent that the flight had been cancelled. When we found out that there was no way of making it to the Niger workshop in time, we were both extremely disappointed and trudged off, with heads down, to the complementary hotel that Air Senegal had provided us with as recompense.

 

This news was a huge blow for us, particularly for Matt who up to that point was aiming for his eleventh and final workshop (I was only up to four). While it was extremely comforting to know that a brilliant facilitation team of Jock, Alio, Ramadan, Richard and Katy was in-country to deliver the workshop, this project relies so much on the strength of relationships. We knew that by not being able to personally meet the key stakeholders in country that we had missed an excellent opportunity that would be some time in coming around again.

 

So here Matt and I currently sit, in the Hotel Royal in Bamako. I can think of worse places to be stranded and we may yet get a chance to meet up with the Niger team on the Friday night as our flight back to Europe transits through here for a few hours, so it is not all that bad.

 

With the workshops completed we are now at the point where ideas have been sown, collaboration has begun and it feels like an exciting and important groundswell and momentum is gathering across the agencies. Plans are now being made, alliances are being cemented and relationships being formed between colleagues and stakeholders at the forefront of humanitarian response. These feel like exciting times.

 

And as I lay in bed in Nairobi listening to the thunderstorms that signalled the beginnings of the rains, I fancied that I was hearing the rumbling of that momentum and witnessing the crackle of these bright new ideas and formation of relationships, as they light up the night sky. And this is an appropriate analogy, and Africa an appropriate place to be for the end of these important launch workshops.

 

Anyone who has ever seen the previously barren savannah after the rains have broken, will know how the air becomes fresh, the light sharp and bright and how life awakens and teems and tumbles from soil, seed and riverbed. The revolutionary power of the rain on the landscape is profound and beautiful. I wonder for a while if the ECB project will prove to be the coming of the rains for the humanitarian landscape, the change, in the words of Barrack Obama, that we want to be – nurturing, organic and transformative. I lie in bed thinking a while longer before the constant burr of the Cicada and the heavy aroma of the dark, wet African soil lulls me to sleep.

 

 

 

 

David Hockaday || Global Field Project Manager

Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB)

 

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Revolution or evolution?

 

‘Revolution not evolution’ rallied Rigo, Head of Care’s Emergency Department. This was my exciting and inspiring introduction to the ECB project. Although still contracted by Save the Children as Emergencies Adviser to Myanmar, I received brilliant support from Gareth, Alex and the team at Save the Children, enabling me to make the trip to the US to be at the phase II ECB launch workshop. This was to be my induction into my new role of ECB Global Field Project Manager, a brave new world that I was stepping into. I remember walking away from Atlanta feeling tired, but exhilarated and keen to start in the role. I was also excited to see if improved and increased collaboration amongst some of the worlds finest and most influential aid agencies really could bring about the sea change of improved quality, speed and effectiveness of aid, so needed in the sector.

 

So it was with the inspirational words of Rigo still ringing in my ears, that I found myself on a flight to Bangladesh on my first day in the new job. Although slightly nervous, any tentativeness on my behalf was tempered by the knowledge that Bangladesh is a country that I know well, and will never tire of visiting. It was wonderful catching up with old friends such as Hev Blackwell, Suman and Faridbhai

 

Although newcomers to the ECB, the Bangladesh consortia took up the mantle of pioneers, by holding the first launch workshop of ECB Phase II. During the first day/morning, there was plenty of debate and a critical focus on Disaster Risk Reduction and human adaptation to climate change. The presence at the workshop, and within the consortia, of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, (a new programme that sits within the critical government ministry of Food and Disaster Management), hinted at great opportunities to influence policy or practice in partnership with the ECB consortia. Even an attempted mini-coup in Dhaka just after Matt Bannerman (ECB Project Director) and I left for Jakarta couldn’t quell the enthusiasm of this group. Under the expert marshalling of Barbara, Kathleen and Harun (all from the Save lead team), a draft Consortium Engagement Plan can now be found on the ECB SharePoint site.

 

A short hop south-east led us to Jakarta, Indonesia for the next workshop. With learning from the Bangladesh workshop fresh in our minds and documented on SharePoint, we were probably better prepared for this workshop. Not that we needed to be. The CRS team of Charlie and Yenni, supported superbly by Eryn from Mercy Corps, didn’t really need our help and coordinated proceedings marvellously. In my humble opinion, the workshop in Jakartta was as good as, if not better, than the superb ice cream served at Cold Stone just up the road from the workshop venue. And for those that know me, you will know that that is really saying something!

 

As in Bangladesh, the consortia conversations focussed around Disaster Risk Reduction and human adaptation to climate change. The capacity mapping that we found hard in Dhaka proved a challenge again here, but looking forward it has been proposed to follow this activity up with more detailed brainstorming and planning.

 

In this workshop, the presence of the Indonesian Society for Disaster Management, a team of professional and technical disaster management experts suggest potential gold dust in terms of influence on humanitarian thinking and replication. By this stage we were tired, but our energy was boosted by the superb facilitation team and participation from the consortia combined with the heady scents of sandalwood, cinnamon and coffee beans that seemed to accompany us everywhere we went.

 

On arriving back in the UK, my wife and I had just enough time to complete the legal work and pick up the keys to our first ever house. Meanwhile, back in the office, Matt and Andrea I were busily preparing our next trip to Bolivia for the third of the workshops. Having never visited Latin America before I was delighted to have this opportunity. And despite close to 24 hours of travel, any weariness and jet lag was soon forgotten as we landed at around 4000m, amid the snow capped peaks of the Andes with Ilimani taking centre stage like a towering talisman. With the near perfect light and fresh air, and a mild euphoria from the altitude powering our journey, we descended from the El Alto into the splendid amphitheatre setting of down town La Paz.

 

Roger, Simon and Yamina had worked hard to make the workshop a success and we were treated to some remarkable facilitation from the team, including a mock up of Hard Talk (BBC World 24), where representatives from the consortia were put into a pretend television programme as a panel of experts. We were also fortunate to have Valerie and Elvis, representatives from the Gates Foundation, who helped contribute some of their expertise and numerous insights into how to tackle some of the challenges during our two days together.

 

Potential short term government change as a result of the forthcoming elections in December provided a framework of uncertainty around the discussions, but this didn’t stop some good visioning and prioritisation of activities across the three cross cutting themes of Disaster Risk Reduction, Staff Capacity and Accountability & Impact Measurement. A challenge still remains to ensure that the humanitarian sector in Bolivia is aware of the ECB Phase II project and what it can offer.

 

With planning for the workshops in Niger and Kenya underway, within just a week or two we will have completed the consortia level start-up workshops and should have a set of five Consortia Engagement Plans to guide us on our way.

 

While still in its infancy, and therefore too early to tell if Phase II of ECB will revolutionise the humanitarian sector, the first three workshops have gone extremely well and suggest that while huge paradigm shifts may well be aspirational, at this stage, there will be plenty for the humanitarian sector to gain, through this innovative collaboration.

 

 

David Hockaday || Global Field Project Manager

Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB)

 

 

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Thoughts on CRS Start-up Workshop

Thoughts on CRS' Agency Start-up Workshop

ECB Phase II start-up at CRS HQ was exciting because of the very close alignment with organizational strategy and ongoing activities.  As a matter of fact, the group walked through an exercise to visually map the relationships and overlaps between ECB cross-cutting themes and strategic pillars for the agency.  This was very important for CRS.

The facilitator was super excellent!  She was organized, a good communicator, formal yet fluid, not pressing the group to produce an ‘output’.  She really wanted participants to understand the process and so walked them through logical steps.  There were also scheduled checkpoints to assess progress.  Having hardcopy handouts was very, very helpful so that participants could see the strategy and make notes as ideas came to mind.  Flipcharts were used throughout as reference points at various stages during the meeting.

There was sustained presence and input by non-emergency folks from other departments in CRS (e.g., HR, Program Quality and Support).  The ‘outside’ perspective they provided additional scope for agency-wide impact of proposed activities.  This was also an opportunity to learn about non-ECB/non-emergency tools and mechanisms available to support emergency capacity building.

Key lesson – select a strong facilitator who can connect the dots and who is keen on learning while doing.

 

Stuart

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Thoughts on CARE's Start-Up Workshop

 

For CARE, the start-up workshop followed a few days of meetings for members of the emergency working group.  This was both an opportunity and risk - an opportunity to directly link ECB to annual and strategic plans, but a risk as fatigue was beginning to set in.  What helped was an energetic facilitator who asked a lot of questions to clarify a lot of assumptions and assertions.  We really enjoyed the informal, non-judgmental, yet structured approach to facilitation.  Best of all, he kept us well within schedule.

 

There was solid contribution of the advisors, and visible presence and participation of senior management (e.g., VP for Program Quality and VP for Global Operations).  They shared their thoughts on how ECB will contribute, recommendations of additional things to consider, and their concerns as well.  Overall, their support was welcomed. 

 

A concern I had was that ECB could become overwhelming, and particularly so where staff were busy with their 'regular' jobs.  Having full-time ownership of ECB management within CARE will help tremendously as follow up to discussions and plans developed in the workshop will be key.  However, valuable quick wins were identified (and in many ways already funded) - so ECB was set for blast off!!

 

Key lesson:  invite comment and critique from senior management.

 

Stuart

 

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Thouhts on Mercy Corps' Start-Up Workshop

 

To put it simply, MC's start-up workshop was fun!  It was a small core group (of about 8 or 9 individuals), but an energetic and entrepreneurial group.  We accomplished a lot and identified real tangibles that are actually doable within time and resource constraints.  Nonetheless, the vision after 5 years delivers for MC key results that are anticipated to have a big impact both on and for the organization.  Most importantly, the activities reflected the identity and culture of the organization - I could see smiles on the participants' faces as they talked about what really stood out for them.  A few MC staff popped in and out of the meetings  - but they were engaged at just the right times to add rich substance to the discussions - a real plus!!

 

We now have a new commitment for ECB - to have squishy toys at every meeting, workshop, learning event, and conference call!!  Sounds mushy, but they were a tangible contribution in lightening the atmosphere.  Could they become the next generation of ECB tools to help build individual and organizational dexterity?  We shall see!

 

Key lesson:  keep ECB real by explicitly linking it to ongoing and planned organizational activities.

 

 

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Thoughts on WV's Start-Up Workshop

 

 

 

World Vision has just completed its agency start-up workshop.  The agenda was packed but it was encouraging to see, feel, and hear high energy levels throughout the two days of discussions.  Having balanced representation from HQ, regional staff, and country consortia contributed to this energy as many regional and field participants were together in the same room for the very first time, which meant they were eager to ‘compare notes’ and learn from each other.  Another energy boost came from the facilitator – WV’s ECB Manager – who was able to create linkages in terms of the relevance of ECB.   The workshop was designed around a series of conversations – very little PowerPoint – which also kept energy levels up.  Timing really is everything.  The WV APIP is being designed at just the time when annual plans and WV’s 2010-1015 emergency strategy is being developed.

What was also interesting was how lessons from ECB phase I were shared.  Rather than present the usual list of achievements, four individuals – someone from HQ, regional, field, and an advisor – were asked to share how ECB phase I impacted them both professionally and personally.  For the visioning exercise, the question focused on what success would look like for accountability, staff capacity, and DRR, rather than emphasizing success for WV or ECB.  This approach helped ground expectations for program quality.  Then, in reviewing the outputs and tools from phase I, it was energizing to hear discussions about how key papers and research reports from phase I could be converted into tools during phase II.  This was amazing because it meant that the compilation of knowledge and ideas from phase I would not sit on a shelf to collect dust, but could be reviewed and re-designed into something practical. 

The key lesson:  keep energy levels up!

Stuart

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Not Your Average TOF!

ECB agencies recently had an experience to become facilitators of the Simulation Tool developed this year.  This was the second Training of Facilitators, the first of which was held in June in downtown Baltimore.  This second TOF was hosted by Save the Children in Tbilisi, Georgia.  There was one major difference in this event compared to the Baltimore experience.  We added 2 extra days to actually give the newbies a chance to utilize the tool in a real simulation.  Brave participants came from 6 of the IWG agencies to experience a simulated earthquake response. 

 

Comments following the event were not surprising to us. Many were shocked about how chaotic it was.  Others learned about tools such as SPHERE.  Some recognized that it became apparent how important, but also how difficult coordination is.  I think this was an eye opening experience for the participants.  Even though this was meant to give the facilitators the experience in running a sim, the country offices also walked away with a learning experience.  We, as newbie facilitators, were very pleased.

 

The facilitators also learned many things. We discovered that 22 facilitators are not necessary to conduct a simulation! Although there were "too many cooks in the kitchen," we did manage to pull off a fairly coordinated event.  We also learned that much care and sensitivity must be utilized if we are to P and G someone from the country.  Another point of importance is the weight given to the Training Needs Assessment.  The simulation must be relevant to the training needs of program staff.  These are just a couple of learning points.  Many others would be able to add much greater detail!

 

As interagency processes continue, the learning from each other and willingness to work together still amazes me.  Once again, it has been such a pleasure to work with all of you!

 

Charlie Ehle

Emergency Response Specialist

Catholic Relief Services

228 W. Lexington Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Office: 001-410-951-7214

 

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Save the Children's Internal Consolidation Workshop

Dear all: Save the Children's Internal Consolidation Workshop was deemed a successful event and we achieved our workshop goals which were:

1. To reflect on ECB Phase I streams of work and identify promising streams of work to apply to Save the Children
2. To elicit Area Director direction and guidance on moving promising streams of work forward
3. To align ECB promising streams of work with FY08 Operational Plans

For those of you still planning your workshops, I thought the following tips might be useful:

1. Endorsement from Senior Management. Our COO opened the event, providing a strong opening statement linking ECB to our forthcoming five year Strategic Plan.

2. Participants. We planned the Event around the Area Directors meeting at Headquarters. Area Directors have been deemed strategic leverage points for ECB and we capitalized on their presence in Headquarters for the event. We were able to elicit which ECB activities are most strategic for which regions and can now focus ECB efforts appropriately.

3. Impressive visual displays. We used the same posters from the DC Learning Event which are colorful, professional and full of interesting information. They are here with us ready to be shipped to one of you!

4. Timing. We planned the event during Department Operational Planning for FY08. Thus we designed a hands-on session using the knowledge processed during the workshop for writing ECB activities directly into Departmental Plans for the next year.

5. Link to Agency Strategic Plan. Our Agency is currently rolling out its next five year Strategic Plan. Thus we couched the workshop within that context, not in the context of an ECB Phase II. We commit to continuing certain activities because it helps us achieve our Strategic Goals, not because we anticipate Phase II funding.

6. Representation. We had wide representation from across the Agency which underscored the underlying message that emergency capacity building is a part of everyone's job.

7. Design. A design committee was set up to spend considerable time on the workshop design itself and the workshop was carried out professionally and effectively.

8. Workshop Report. An official workshop report is being prepared, not only to harness the energy generated by the event, for moving ECB work forward across the Agency and for new ECB staff as induction, but also to constitute the point of departure for the Agency Start Up Workshop if there is a Phase II.

Good luck!

Sonia

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Global Platform, the last slice

Yes, we’re finished! We ate the entire sandwich, to stay with Susan’s way of speaking. But: was it a sandwich worth buying and eating? Let me try to summarise briefly what we did today and see if it was...

It definitely was the second slice of bread of the sandwich today, although some taste of meat had stuck to it. Two long plenary sessions, with loads of declarations. Mind you, not all declarations were boring. At least the NGO network’s declaration in the morning (yes, we got a full three minutes!) kept up the spirit and reminded us what DRR is all about: the people that are now suffering from the effects of disasters. And also in the afternoon, some very useful statements were made on the very first draft of a chair’s summary of the meeting. Again stating that we need to include the local communities. And also that the statement needs to be more action oriented, stating targets and benchmarks that can be monitored and not be too much UN talk, which basically means not firmly committing to anything at all.

But again: was the sandwich worth eating? I think, definitely, that yes it was. The NGO’s have now a seat at the table, although we have been seated at an awkward corner. We’re in and that means that we can now work on being included more and more during the two years until the next Global Platform meeting and will be able to make our points, in an ever stronger and stronger manner.

I will not bother you with the draft chair’s summary of the meeting now. It will be presented on the website and we still have two weeks to comment on it. Please look it up and see for yourself. Please let us know what you think of it and let’s try to react in a concerted fashion.
The latter is also what the NGO Global Network decided to do, during the after-meeting. A steering group was formed and some first topics the NGO Network should work upon were mentioned. Again: I will not present any details at this moment, but rest assured that news from the Network will be coming to you during the next months.

What did I forget? Oh, yes. I attended a meeting which was called by the group of NGO’s and UN agencies working on the crossroads between DRR and Climate Change. We decided that the group should continue as a thematic platform within the ISDR system and that we should try and persuade the IPCC to come up with an additional report on DRR and Climate Change Adaptation. In the plenary, this was also mentioned and the chair said that, if they could, they would fit something in.

I hope you don’t mind me not giving very detailed information. I gather that all information will be available online shortly and it does not make sense for me to be typing it al up here. All the same: if anyone is interested in more specific information or has some question, please do not hesitate to drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to answer it or send any stuff I have.
It was a good experience to be participating at this Global Platform, and I think we all learned a lot. It was also nice to have this first (for me) experience in blogging. A bit frightening, but all the same nice to do.

Talk to the ECB3-ers on Monday. And cheers.

Paul Borsboom

Head of Programme

CARE Nederland

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