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Parceria

Over the past 10 years, NGOs have advocated partnership as the choice delivery vehicle of relief and development assistance to the developing world. The partnership relationship, however, means many different things to many different people.

In 2002, Fowler noted that "to its detriment, multiple and diverse users mean that the original idea and premise of partnership has been stretched in many directions and interpreted in many ways. In this respect it has become a 'something nothing' word."

Similarly, Vicky Brehm of Intrac suggested in 2000 that "partnership has undoubtedly become the victim of its own success; the term has been overused and applied to a whole range of organisational relationships."

Additional references in relation to the difficulties with partnership, and the gap between action and rhetoric, are common throughout development literature.

Partnership is a much-used descriptor of a wide range of relationships within the Micah Network. As members of a network of evangelical Christian development, relief and advocacy organisations, we relate to one another on the basis of our beliefs, shared values and shared commitment to integral mission. In responding to the circumstances of poor communities through integral mission, we often choose to work in partnerships.

Partnerships can be defined as:

"mutually beneficial relationships of two or more autonomous bodies who share a common vision and are working towards a common goal" (Canadian Christian Relief & Development Association).

The issue of partnership is of enormous importance to the Micah Network and we have initiated processes to develop:

  • Consistent proposal and reporting guidelines across agencies
  • Partnership guidelines
  • Partnership reading guide

For further information, see: