Transcript Bridging the gap of the cultural divide through

Priscilla S Daniels, Tracey-Ann Adonis
and
Karin Benjamin
TWK PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS
NETHERLANDS, 16 JUNE 2014
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INTRODUCTION
• Higher education institutions operate in a global environment
• HEIs commit to internationalisation as they realise that contemporary
challenges relating to several spheres of social, economic and health
development cannot be addressed without consideration of the global
perspective
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BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
• A community request from Directorate of Community
Services in the Theewaterskloof municipality – graduate
from UWC (10 years ago)
• Requested placement of Community and Health Science
students with aim of assisting the Directorate in achieving
its deliverables in the services sector
• Visiting delegation from Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen
at UWC – also interested in placing students in this rural
area.
• Model of partnership – was envisioned
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BACKGROUND
Netherlands
x South Africa
Theewaterskloof Municipality
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COMMONALITIES BETWEEN HAN AND UWC
University of the Western Cape
Institutional Operating Plan
Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen
Mission
Internationalisation at home – give
students holistic experiences
International activities and student
exchange
Intercultural experience
Encourage students to experience other
cultures.
Extension of knowledge through
education and professional training
Provide an education that is both
practical and relevant to the field.
Training of students to drive the
transformation process in South Africa
Recognises the importance to contribute
to the development of society
Sense making through leadership and
development
Emphasis on development
Research and innovation
Entrepreneurship and innovation
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THE TWK PROGRAM
• Collaborative international partnership model
• HEI from developed country (NETHERLANDS), 2 universities (UWC &
CPUT) and a community college (ELF) from a developmental state
(SOUTH AFRICA)
• TWK municipality the main beneficiary (we recognise the benefits for
the educational institutions) and the key deliverables of the TWK
Program are aligned with the Integrated Development Plan of the
municipality
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Sustainable Partnership development =
important aspect
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OFFICIAL GOALS OF THE TWK Project
•
To implement/Initiate projects to improve the quality of
lives and to alleviate poverty local communities within
Theewaterskloof,
•
To transfer skills and to add additional capacity to the
municipality,
•
To enhance the capacity of students and expose them to
multi cultural communities through service learning,
•
That as far as possible the IDP should inform the projects
initiated through this partnership
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CORE COMPONENTS OF
THEEWATERSKLOOF IDP
HEALTH AND WELFARE
HOUSING
COMMUNITY SAFETY
ART AND CULTURE
SPORT AND RECREATION
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
TOURISM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS PROMOTION
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RESEARCH QUESTION
What strategy/ies of partnership development in
the TWK partnership project was/were most
effective in equipping the students with a unique
intercultural experience that benefitted the TWK
municipality in accordance with the IDP deliverables
of this municipality?
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RESEARCH APPROACH (1)
• Qualitative Research Paradigm
• Ethnographic CASE STUDY Design
o To gain insight into the perceptions of the partners
o To provide an in-depth description of this particular
partnership
• The form of reasoning was inductive as we worked without
any set notion of inquiry
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RESEARCH APPROACH (2)
• A purposeful sample of partners in the TWK project was
selected which included TWK municipality representatives,
HAN & UWC academics, students & area fieldworkers
• The value systems of the partners were acknowledged in
the research process.
• Some of the limitations of this study were that the results
from this case study are only a representation of this
sample partnership as well as the inductive reasoning
process however the results from this process could lead to
further intensive research on this partnership.
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DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
• Unstructured interviews
• Observations
• Reports, minutes of meetings
• Site visits
• Student reflection
• A grounded theory approach was utilised in the data analysis.
• Inferential validity and reliability of the data was ensured by
data triangulation of data gathering tools
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ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (1)
THEME 1: International Collaboration to benefit
communities, universities and students
“Add value through the student service learning to the existing rural
community development initiatives and the Integrated Development
Plan in the towns of the TWK Municipality. Encourage, assist and
participate in research and advocacy initiatives in the area with the 13
collaboration and approval of the local stake-holders.”
ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (2)
THEME 2: Strategic partnerships are guided by strategic processes
• “The results are overseen during a regular
workshop attended by the TWK Mayor,
Municipal Manager and other affected senior
officials as well as representatives of the
partners in Civil Society.”
• “It is important to share expectations from
the beginning and to prime a good
communication process.”
• “Finding a common goal. Sharing values and
principles. Agreeing on the role and
responsibilities of each party and respecting
such separate roles and responsibilities.
Equal partners and mutual benefit should be
present. Partners need to recognise that they
need each other. Strong emphasis on project
management and a structured and
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organised relationship.”
ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (3)
THEME 3: Lessons learnt through engagement
•
“This project should never stop because however small contribution we make to this
program makes a big difference in the lives of those who desperately need the
assistance of the students and this program.”
• “A sound working arrangement is required and goodwill between the parties are not
enough. Obviously relationship management is also critical… you need to share
value, principles, expectations, and respect.”
• “There must be accountability and any possibility that each other’s time and
resources will be wasted should be avoided. Celebrate success but also be honest
and truthful about problems and failure and deal with it.”
• “It is simply a matter now of maintaining the current good results. Improved
coordination between council and HAN projects should however be explored”
• “It is important to have understanding of and respect for each others’ differences in
cultures and it is important to manage relations as well.”
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DISCUSSION
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DISCUSSION
•
Mediation and improved communication and information sharing resulted in an open and
transparent process that was based on consultative processes and resulted in collaborative
planning, action and was guided by the TWK municipality in collaboration with the project
management team. (Though there was a MOU there were implementation challenges and
through trial and error clarity of roles emerged).
•
The process of clarification didn’t happen immediately and strengthened the partnership through
several strategic planning sessions, new MOU’s were developed, feedback and continuous
monitoring and evaluation was identified as a strong component.
•
Partnerships between HEI’s reduce risks, sharing of financial costs and tap local influence and
expertise
•
As the office is now located in the TWK municipality, the partnership is an infused principle of
community needs directed by the municipality through the IDP
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RECOMMENDATIONS
• There should be ample opportunities for communication and a structure of
communication must be developed so that role players and partners are informed
at every step of the project. Regular meetings with all role players are therefore
required.
• Management structures need to work in order to facilitate the development and
progress of the partnership project. These need to be put in place and a set time
for management meetings need to occur.
• There should be training in service-learning for all community, academic and
services partners so that there is a shared understanding of the collaborative
process and purposes for the partnership.
• Clarification of roles of each partner should be collaboratively developed and
agreed upon.
• Decision making should be transparent in order to maintain trust relationship in
partnerships.
• A facilitator is necessary that mediates the cultural differences
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CONCLUSION
"I don't believe in charity. I believe in solidarity.
Charity is vertical, so it's humiliating. It goes
from the top to the bottom. Solidarity is
horizontal. It respects the other and learns
from the other. I have a lot to learn from other
people." - Eduardo Galeano
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
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