Convergence

© Asia Pacific Reprohealth and Development Center (APRDC)

CONVERGENCE:

Is it something that

should be led and

managed? ROBERTO A.O. NEBRIDA, MDM

Executive Director

PHANSuP – Asia Pacific Reprohealth and Development Center (APRDC)

email: [email protected]

Plenary presentation during the 2nd International Conference on Reproductive Health Management (ICRHM) in Bali, Indonesia on 6-8 May 2008. It

draws partly from: 1) the study “Managing Convergence of HIV&AIDS, Reproductive Health and Community Development: A Preliminary Assessment

in Selected Asia Pacific Countries” by Fatima Castillo, et al. (PHANSuP-APRDC, 1998) and; 2) the author’s paper entitled “Coalition Building and

Networking for the Global Fund” submitted to the Faculty of the International Master’s Program on Practicing Management (www. impm.org).


A person can accomplish many

things if he/she doesn’t care who

gets the credit.

- Oh, sorry, whose quote is it?


OUTLINE

What is convergence? Is it real? a) Experiences in Asia-Pacific

b) The PHANSuP Experience

Insights

Key challenges and opportunities


So, how do we define it?

1. According to the internet:

thru context: mathematics? physiology?

biology?

(n) the occurrence of 2 or more things

coming together <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/convergence>

What is convergence? Is it real?


2. According to the study (NGO perspective):


Networking Collaboration Partnership

C O N V E R G E N C E

Integration Coordination Mainstreaming


Samples (typologies):


NGO

Clientele

BANGLADESH:

RSDP/Pathfinder

Newlyweds Strategy

Project




THAILAND:

Population and Community

Development Association

(PDA) highly diversified

operations

NGO

Clientele

A

Clientele

B

Clientele

C


What is convergence? Is it real? Samples (typologies):

MYANMAR:

PMCT Project of DOH,

UNICEF and SAVE THE

CHILDREN

Organi-

zation

A

Project/

Program

Clientele

Organi-

zation

A

Organi-

zation

A



MYANMAR:

PMCT Project of DOH,

UNICEF and SAVE THE

CHILDREN

Organi-

zation

A

Project/

Program

Clientele

Organi-

zation

A

Organi-

zation

A




Project

Partner A

Project

Partner B

Project

Partner C

Clientele C Clientele B Clientele A

Organizatio

n B

Organizatio

n C

Organizatio

n D

Organizatio

n E

Organizatio

n A

CONSORTIUM

PHILIPPINES:

Philippine Business for

Social Progress, a

foundation whose

members are business

corporations; also

supported by other

donors. Varied types of

projects for various

community partners.

Addressing varied

concerns.



AIDSAlliance-PHANSuP

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, a

group of independent country-level

linking organizations (LOs) in

more than 20 countries responding

to HIV&AIDS, RH and other

development concerns. The

Secretariat, also an independent

organization, is based in the UK.

LOs have their own partners in the

countries and regions where they

operate.

Secre-

tariat


C-RHM

AIDS Allianc

e Phils

ARET

S

trng

conslt

resrc

h

+life

guide

GFR7

8i

PHANSuP’s

APRD

C

ICRH

M

IMRHM

A

RHU

B

FP/R

H

SEE

D4PH

D

RHM

cours

e

R-

Healt

h

RHM

portal

youth

camp


PHANSuP’s C-RHM: a collaboration platform

“PODS” INITIATIVES

AIDSAlliance Regional

Technical Support for Asia-

Pacific (ARETS Asia-Pacific)

Research, training and

consultancy

Alliance against AIDS in the

Philippines (Alliance

Philippines)

GFR78i; “+lifeguide”

Asia Pacific Reprohealth and

Development Center

(APRDC)

ICRHM; trainings (e.g.,

RHM, SEED4PHD); youth

camps; RHealth; RHuB;

RHM Library; IMRHMA;

RHM portal


Widened Development Pathway (1993-present)


PHANSuP’s Experience: Highlights

Convergence within and outside the organization: community, national, regional, international (e.g., ICRHM)

Over 100 varied partners since 1993 (CBOs, FBOs, NGOs, government agencies, schools, LGUs, INGOs, bilaterals and multilaterals, business entities)



7-step Typical Process

1. Define or clarify organizational goal/obj.

2. Assess needs of target clientele

3. Assess goals and capabilities of target partners

4. Initiate a “roundtable” meeting

5. Define terms of engagement

6. Implement and monitor

7. Evaluate and sustain or replicate


Insight 1: Focus of Convergence

WHY

(value/s)

WHO (clientele/s)


Insight 2: Levels of Convergence

COM-

MUNIT

Y

GOVT/

DONO

R

PRIVA-

TE

GRPS

SERVICE DELIVERY

LEADERSHIP AND

MANAGEMENT

POLICY AND

GOVERNANCE


Insight 3: Themes of Convergence

COM-

MUNIT

Y

GOVT/

DONO

R

PRIVA-

TE

GRPS

HIV AND

AIDS

FP/RH COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT


Insight 3: Mechanisms for Convergence

COM-

MUNIT

Y

GOVT/

DONO

R

PRIVA-

TE

GRPS

PROGRAMS OR

PROJECTS

AREA

DEVELOPMENT

PLANS

LEGISLATION

(LAWS/ORDINANCES)


Where does it thrive?

1. Where there is a Need: demand not supply!

2. Commitment to serve people/client: Nature and kind of organization as well as level of democracy not a hindrance

3. Willingness to work together despite differences: no “turfing” or “ego-tripping”; just find a “common ground”; ability to cope with complexity and chaos!

Insight 4: Key Success Factors


Which convergence is the right one? It

depends! (a manager’s “classic” answer)

1. Context or situation

2. Desired outcomes

3. Actors or players or stakeholders

Insight 5: No “cookbook” formula


Understanding the “context:


Insight 6: Convergence management

framework

CREDIBILITYCOLLEGIALITY

RECIPROCITY

ETHICSNEEDS

CO

MP

ET

EN

CIE

S

GOAL

EF

FE

CT

IVE

CO

MM

UN

ICA

TIO

N

EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION

EFFE

CTIV

E

CO

MM

UN

ICATIO

N


CONVERGENCE is…

Dreaming/visioning together (things that are either

easy, difficult or impossible to do – pick your choice!)

Working together

Learning/growing together


Challenges and Opportunities

1. Comfort zone. At personal,

organizational and community/area

levels. Need to refine and popularize

(theory and practice).

2. Convergence is complex. Multi-focus,

diverse focus. Requires generalist and

specialist competencies. Need to

develop/enhance capacity of

stakeholders.


3. Global debates on “vertical” vs.

“horizontal” funding/programming for

health. GFTAM. IHP+. Universal Access

approach. Primary Health Care

approach. Decentralization. Meaningful

community involvement vs. speed and

efficiency. Need to find the right

balance, appropriate application.

Challenges and Opportunities


So, which “convergence”?






Pick your CHOICE!


And, finally…

Be like peebles…

Kill a bird?

Build a cathedral

or a mosque?

Rebuild the world!


A person can accomplish many

things if he/she doesn’t care who

gets the credit.

- Oh, sorry, whose quote is it?

Health & Medicine

Convergence