MeTA stakeholders gather to examine the multi-stakeholder process

Posted on 1 February 2010

In Jordan, in January 2010, over 70 MeTA stakeholders from all seven countries participated in a two-day workshop to analyse and discuss multi-stakeholder processes. This included considering important issues such as power, and strategies for moving forward collectively. The workshop was facilitated by two specialists in multi-stakeholder processes, Simone Van Vught, and Karen Verhoosel from the Centre for Development Innovation, at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.  

The purpose of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of MeTA stakeholders to work more effectively together, to deepen understanding of the analytical frameworks concerning multi-stakeholder processes, and to strengthen communication and analytical skills to achieve more effective facilitation of the process in-country. Participants considered key elements of what a multi-stakeholder process contains, what power is and how it comes into play, and how differently the same process can be perceived.

Discussions focussed on what it takes to move forward within a multi-stakeholder process and what barriers can prevent this from happening. "It is important not to be set in your own ways, not to take an entrenched position. Unlearning is not easy, " one participant said. Another said, "We are now more open-minded about the need to listen and take into account other stakeholders' views."

A third said, "We decided to think about power. Each stakeholder has different political power and each has different views about decision-making. It all boils down to compromise. When we go back home, it will be different. Have I changed? Yes!"

The facilitators from Wageningen University will be following up and providing support to the MeTA country secretariats and councils as they progress over the next few months.