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

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ences in how international co-operation is interpreted, identified, defined
and finally executed. Differences that appear to be subtle but are not. We
cannot, for example, lose sight of the fact that the difference between giving
and receiving actually means a relationship of power. This relationship
of power is the main obstacle to a constructive dialogue.
When in a dialogue situation, donor and recipient countries must overcome
problems such as:
Divergences between the donor’s interests and the recipient countries’
needs.
Different visions of local capacities and social capital potential.
A paternalist approach persists if ‘the truth’ continues to belong to
developed countries.
Setting of relations based on conditions with donors.
Underestimation of an important resource: lateral learning possibilities
between nations based on mutual exchanges of successful experiences
and best practices in similar cultural and geographical habitats. Up to
now this has not been considered as an important instrument/tool for
co-operation.
Absence of effective coordination mechanisms among all participants.
Lack of understanding that co-operation is [also] a matter of attitude.
Overcoming these problems is possible if both the governmental and nongovernmental
levels adopt mechanisms and have the will to do so. In order
to succeed in coping with the above mentioned obstacles – on a governmental
level they need to:
Create mechanisms that can generate new spaces for dialogue and intercommunication
where coordination and partnership result in articulating
joint strategies for intervention as well as delivery of resources.
Generate strategies through the formal channels of governments which
ensure solid goals that respect and support international agreements.
Complement these strategies with appropriate mechanisms to call in the
private sector to participate, to propose and implement specific and common
goals.
On the level of Ministries for Foreign Affairs and agencies, it is important
to improve evaluation mechanisms as well as reduce the time it takes to
respond to project proposals.
Create a follow up mechanism to observe the fulfilment of international
co-operation agreements for development.
Create an information system to control and exchange information on
economic resources, geographical coverage, international goals and agreements.