Supporting Capacity Development
Diplo's entry point to the complex process of CD begins from a recognition that most small and developing states do not participate equally in global policy processes. More meaningful participation of all actors in crucial negotiations on Climate Change, Food Security or Governance of the Internet, for example, will benefit both the empowered participants and the international community as a whole, contributing to general developmental goals. Small and developing members of the international community need support in developing their capacity for more effective participation in these processes. And in turn, by starting with individuals, Diplo’s DC has strengthened NGOs, government institutions and the global policy processes themselves.
Diplo offers a broad set of activities to support CD of its partners, starting with analysis and engagement in a particular context to gain deep understanding of social, political and other aspects of the programme environment. Long term programmes (spanning several years) combine:
- practice-oriented learning activities adapted to the context and well anchored in a particular policy process;
- collaborative policy research and immersion;
- facilitation and support for communities of practice;
- support for partner and beneficiary initiatives, projects and interventions in the particular policy space;
- inclusion of programme participants as partners and co-designers in future CD in the same field. Diplo’s
Results
Diplo has developed a solid track record over the years. Diplo’s CD in IG has recently won awards (2009 World e-Democracy Forum, alongside Google and Twitter). Several institutions have approached Diplo for long term partnerships and assistance with CD initiatives. Recent and current project partners include UNODC, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Union, and the governments of Mexico, Egypt and India.
Diplo’s CD programmes begin with individuals, but through the activities of these individuals, their impact reaches into the larger systems of which they and their organisations are part, with visible results. In the field of IG, for example, our programme alumni work together in a growing number of self-reliant communities and discussion groups (in 2009, there were around 40 groups with 500 active participants). Programme alumni participate in national and international policy processes. For example, they were involved in initiating and running “remote hubs” for participation at Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meetings in Hyderabad (2008) and Sharm El Sheik (2009), allowing many interested individuals and groups who could not travel due to cost or other reasons to contribute actively and help shape the outcome of these meetings.
Another indicator is a growing number of bottom-up regional and national initiatives started by programme alumni. Diplo supports such initiatives through consulting, organisational support and provision of innovative tools for remote collaboration and negotiations. For example, in 2006, Diplo supported an alumni member in leading community discussion on the ICT Bill for Kenya by providing a platform and facilitation for online discussion, enabling the community to enrich and influence national ICT legislation.
More Information
To learn more about some of Diplo's support for capacity development, visit the following links:
