Dialogue in Pursuit of Development - Are you looking for one of ...

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Reflections on the relationship of Makerere and
Rockefeller Foundation
There are six identifiable unique elements that contribute to the relationship
between Rockefeller Foundation and Makerere University. These are
briefly described below.
The coincidence of reorganization within Rockefeller Foundation at a
time when Makerere itself, as well as the Government of Uganda, was in
the process of change.
The transition from earmarked to systemic support to Makerere University
through substantial grants by Rockefeller Foundation. The first of
these grants was to the planning process of I@Mak.Com. The second
phase saw annual grants for implementation.
The composition of the planning and later the implementation committee.
With the encouragement of Rockefeller Foundation the University
and the Government formed a joint planning committee. Based on the
success of this process the Vice Chancellor appointed the implementation
committee based on the membership of the planning committee.
All meetings were held over the weekend and out of office hours and on
a residential basis in a hotel outside Kampala. This assured availability of
members, separation from pressures of family and friends and put everyone
together in a ‘captured’ setting.
Two professionals trained in participatory techniques facilitated the meetings.
This process made the university and the government equal as there
was no hierarchy, no chair, no traditional presentation of papers and ideas
were collected. The facilitator posed questions that were geared towards
broad issues related to Uganda and incrementally evolved into more specific
questions of the capacity, systems, goals and innovative approaches
of the University. It was a synergistic and incremental process that encouraged
teamwork and joint ownership of the outcome.
Participation and facilitation are keys to success.
The planning process did not engage consultants. However, the facilitation
process enabled the C-14 and I@Mak.Com to obtain information
from persons with experience through a process where experts answered
questions asked by the committee members, in a structured setting with
rules for questioning and answering. Most other major aid supported
initiatives in Uganda, are planned by consultants, who are technically well
qualified and produce good work but which are not designed by the
people who will implement them and therefore not owned by the country,
making implementation slow and difficult.
In a negotiated relationship, such as the one between Rockefeller and
Makerere University, influence and power are understood beyond the obvious
donor-client bond of money giving and receiving. Vulnerability and