Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Louise Brown on March 3, 2011 at 9:48

Sakthi is asking the question: Is the issue of connecting people in the voluntary sector across Europe an important one?
Are there common experiences and do we need to share and learn from them?
Do we need to share good practice?
Is this an important issue?

Permalink Reply by Joze on March 3, 2011 at 10:21

Hay,

probably there are common experiences and we can say YES - especially in international partners projects, exchanges of experts and international volunteering.

There is also no question about need to share and learn from each other.

But real question is openes of people and organisations, skill for international collaboration and language(as you can see by me :) ) and also cost of international work!!!

Permalink Reply by Sakthi Suriyaprakasam on March 3, 2011 at 10:03

Thanks for joining us today, we're really looking forward to hearing from you about your thoughts, hopes and expectations about working across Europe.

Permalink Reply by Louise Brown on March 3, 2011 at 10:06

I think we definitely need some way of sharing examples of projects, just like we're doing today. I'm really looking to finding out about some of them this morning and this afternoon.

 

I wonder if there needs to be a real life way of doing this or whether online works ok?

Permalink Reply by Simon Cope on March 3, 2011 at 10:17

I agree, and for two reasons:

 

Firstly, I think there can be a tendency for organisations in the UK to assume that we are always at the forefront of innovation in using new technology in our work; whereas in practice there are excellent examples of innovation across Europe - some of which I'm sure we'll hear more about today - which we can all learn from.

 

Secondly, in response to Sakthi's opening question as to whether there are common experiences, I suspect there are - but it's only by connecting with others through programmes like PFC that we can find out what these are and learn from one another.

 

I look forward to an interesting day of e-discussions!

Permalink Reply by Louise Brown on March 3, 2011 at 10:20

I want to strongly agree with what Simon has said, particularly about the UK thinking that it's at the forefront of innovation in using technology. Having been to Estonia and seen how people are using the internet I know we are very far behind. We have two case studies today that will show just that.

Permalink Reply by Joze on March 3, 2011 at 10:33

I agree with Simon,

sometimes we just do not walk arround with our eyes open and so we do not see good examples.

I also look forward to e-discussions and ideas of today.

jože

Permalink Reply by Danny Antrobus on March 3, 2011 at 10:13

Yes it's important. Although the voluntary sector in each country works in different political, economic, legal, social and technical contexts, we often share many common principles, values and aims. And we know that creative solutions to the challenges we face may not come from our own field of expertise but from other specialisms and other contexts, which we can apply to our circumstances.

 

Permalink Reply by Sakthi Suriyaprakasam on March 3, 2011 at 10:14

All of my experience of supporting collaboration shows how important it is to meet people, this is what really builds consensus and trust. But if we are being realistic about cost and distances, maybe onlline spaces are what enable us to do some initial work...?

Permalink Reply by Somanah Achadoo on March 3, 2011 at 10:18

I agree with NCVO that linking the voluntary and community sector and charity sector together across Europe is important to share good practice and to make the sector vibrant with a robust structure to support the needs of the people across Europe.

 

Various studies have shown that civil society sector across Europe have common aims and objectives. However, all the services are disjointed. With the sector coordinating its works, it will be beneficial to the people and also avoid duplication of services.

 

Permalink Reply by Sakthi Suriyaprakasam on March 3, 2011 at 10:18

Also Danny, the context may be different in each country, but the human issues and tensions always come down to the same key things. I know that one of the most interesting things about this project for us is learning how other national infrastructure organisations are attempting to support voluntary organisations in their countries, and learning about what's going on politically, and what challengers this presents to our sector. 

Permalink Reply by Danny Antrobus on March 3, 2011 at 10:19

Online reduces time and distance, so at first when trying to find out which organisations and people you should connect with, I guess online is the way to go. But although I see online methods as necessary, i'm not sure they're sufficient at the moment to build the strong bonds and connections (and trust) to get organisations working well together.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page