- Contact with groups in similar situations and with similar objectives can be very rewarding. Each group can bring different experiences to share. Networking with several such groups may be even more rewarding. Usually one group or individual needs to be responsible for maintaining regular contact between network members. Networks can keep contact through meetings, letters, newsletters, Email links, workshops or informal contacts.
Discussion
- Often people feel they are on their own, cut off from help and similar groups. They feel they have to struggle alone to find out new skills and information. It can be very encouraging to discover that there are other similar groups.
- Networks are ways of linking people together. Usually networks link groups with a similar interest – such as community health, animal traction, sustainable agriculture or literacy.
- Members of networks are often linked by newsletters. Sometimes there may be workshops or regional meetings. Sometimes network members are encouraged to visit nearby contacts.
- Do participants have any experience of belonging to networks?
- Useful and free newsletters include the following:
GENERAL
Footsteps – PO Box 200, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4WQ, UK E-mail: footsteps@tearfund.org
AGRICULTURE
Spore – CTA, Postbus 380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands E-mail: cta@cta.nl
AGROFORESTRY
Agroforestry Today – Circulation, Agroforestry Today, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya E-mail: e.mwamunga@cgiar.org
HEALTH
Health Action – Healthlink Worldwide, Cityside, 40 Adler St, London, E1 1EE, UK E-mail: info@healthlink.org.uk
Contact – CMAI, 2A–3 Local Shopping Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110 058, India
Child to Child – Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1 HOA, UK C22
Go to C22