The Conference on Networking for Development

The UCLGA will be participating in a Networking for Development Conference scheduled to be held from 4 – 7 August 2009 at the Elephant Hills Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  The President of the UCLGA will deliver a paper on Networking for Developing Local Government Authorities and Enhancing Capacity for Service Delivery.  The Conference will be officially opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Morgan Tsvangirayi.  The Conference is organised by the Zimbabwe Institute of Regional and Urban Planners, a member of the Commonwealth Institute of Planners (CIP). 

Networks are increasingly important for achieving development, whether local, national or international. People talk about networks in development agencies, in research, in businesses and in many professional fields. For some people, networking seems just another jargon term. But many organisations now recognise networking as a valuable means to share information, to further common objectives and to make best use of limited resources. 

Exactly what is a network? How do networks function? Why are some networks very successful, but others disappointing? Despite the growing number of development networks, there is little accessible information about how different networks operate, the ingredients for their success or the problems that they face. Even so, different professional institutes especially in Africa rarely meet to network, breaking the ‘professional silos’ in which they work. 

The ‘Networking for Development’ Conference, to be held from 4th to 7th August 2009, in the Resort Town of the Victoria Falls, is a unique opportunity where development professionals will, for the first time in Africa, engage and network, across professions and across national boundaries.

The Conference is open to all professionals in the development sector, (government, NGOs, Private Sector, quasi-governmental organizations, statutory commissions) at municipal, provincial and national/ federal level. It is especially relevant for those interested in increasing their success by exploring possible connections and collaboration with organizations inspired by similar ideas.

Through participating in the Conference, you will understand a new concept of networking which you will be able to relate to your own professional life. You will also master a number of methods to create and maintain networks between your own organization and others.

This Conference will involve presentations, discussions, thematic and plenary dialogues and self-assessments. Along the various topics we will make ongoing reference to the specific context of the development sector.  

Draft Conference Programme:  Click here

For more information kindly contact:

Mr. Shingi Mushamba, Honorary Secretary
Email: smushamba@locgovinfo.co.zw