IANGO workshop 2010 culminates on a successful note
The World YWCA this week participated in the International Advocacy Non-Governmental Organisations (IANGO) workshop, which took place from June 6 – 8, 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland. The workshop, which brought together CEOs and senior management staff of international NGO alliances and civil society networks, especially those related to advocacy, main aim, was to share knowledge, discuss issues and collectively confront challenges and shape institutional arrangements.
The first day sought to address the issue of evaluating advocacy interventions. Julia Coffman, Director of the Center for Evaluation Innovation gave a presentation on the theme” Evaluating Advocacy Interventions: Dilemma’s, Approaches and lessons.” Ms. Coffman showed how evaluating advocacy work is different and more challenging in comparison to other evaluations that may be done, but despite the challenges it can be achieved. She provided the organisations with evaluation methods that are most suitable for advocacy and the necessary techniques that must be followed to achieve optimum results. Peter Zeitz, Director of Global AIDS Alliance followed with his presentation focusing specifically on one evaluation method, Impact Planning Assessment Reporting and learning (IPARL) which his organisation has recently implemented. He shared the challenges and advantages of IPARL and that an important factor in selecting the right model of evaluation is one that takes into account donor needs and the goals of the organisation.
The presentations sparked a very interesting discussion in which both presenters and the representatives of the different organisations shared their thoughts. One participant questioned whether evaluating advocacy is really as different as was explained; another saw the evaluating of advocacy interventions as a tool or tactic that can improve organisations’ intervention.
The rest of the workshop followed a similar programme in which the day began with presentations and then followed up with discussions, while analysing where individual organisations fit in. “Framing Policy Issues and Mobilising Constituencies around Multiple Crises,” “Accountability and Effectiveness of NGOs at National and International Levels: Implications of the Accra Agenda for Action” and “The Millennium Development Goals” were some of the other topics covered during the 2010 workshop.
The World YWCA was instrumental in the planning of this year’s IANGO meeting, and was represented at the three-day event by the World YWCA Deputy General Secretary, Natalie Fisher-Spalton and Programme Intern, Kuena Diaho. “The 2010 IANGO workshop was a great success and the World YWCA was honoured to serve as its host this year. It brought together 30 leaders of NGOs from a diverse range of sectors that are all engaged in advocacy. It was three days of excellent presentations, vibrant and often provocative discussions as well as a platform for exchange and mutual learning,” shared Ms. Fisher-Spalton.
The World YWCA joined the IANGO in 2004 and was part of the initial group of NGOs who developed the International Non Governmental Organisations' Accountability Charter, the first international cross-sectoral code of conduct for the non-profit sector, along with ten other leading international Non-governmental organisations.
