Networked Partnerships

Networks - referring to human networks, at the very basic level a network can exist with simply 'knowledge of' another person who has 'knowledge of' yet another person - the network exists by recognition of this mutual recognition of individuals (groups as well can form networks). It's basic potential is realized when people who do not know of each other can be connected in some way to a purpose through points in the network they share (an individual they both know of, or through a communication platform, or both). Without communication, a network is basically static. A research network can form around a discipline, or around a particular issue or problem toward the increasing trend of interdisciplinary research networks. Research networks have always been international, at periods in history more or less so, and in this period the communications revolution has vastly expanded the importance of international research networks with the potential of global research networks. The digital divide puts those with digital capability much farther ahead and isolates those who do not have it. Crossing the digital divide can end the isolation of local research communities. It is widely accepted that scientific and social research requires networks and is based on sharing of research results, inclusion is a good and isolation is a bad.

Partnerships - informal partnerships are endeavours undertaken with an agreed upon purpose between partners. Formal partnerships are the same but with written formal agreements and terms of reference. Agreement on actions towards a specific and often time-limited purpose is what distinguishes a partnership from a network which remains open-ended. Networks provide the possibility for partnerships. Partnership in development is sometimes restricted to refer to agreements involving financial contributions.

NP - Networked Partnership (Diack) - a partnership that utilizes digital and human networks as the basis for communication, and combines both the open-ended possibilities of networks and the ability to achieve specific outcomes in partnership. Here the networks if nurtured and managed well, provide for sustainability of collective work. By the time certain goals are achieved, networks allow spin-offs of project activities to be undertaken which will have progressed. Networked partnership is a new opportunity, but could provide tremendous possibilities to allow specific outcomes of related work to more easily contribute to general impacts in the long-term, given the interrelatedness of development problems. Complex problems cannot be solved by one-dimensional solutions, for instance, reducing the cost of ARVs has a much reduced impact on outcomes for people with HIV/AIDS if infrastructure for clinical facilities, training, education and nutrition are absent.