What can we say, in the light of global developments concerning international cooperation, about the learning capacity of Northern en Southern civil society organisations? Is there sufficient knowledge being built, applied and exchanged? And does that lead to more effective poverty alleviation?

What was discussed during the start of the dialogue?
Learning often takes place between and within a small number of organisations. How do we ensure that the learning capacity of individual organisations really leads to the learning of 'the sector' as a whole? Financial and administrative systems often impede learning. It is important to have enough space to integrate the aspects you learn from partners into your own approach and plans. To what extent is the ministry flexible in adjusting plans? There is no linear road. Learning is a process and it is a difficult one to plan.

Questions for this forum
1. What success stories do you have at the level of building knowledge, exchange of knowledge and applying knowledge? What factors contributed to this?

2. How did this lead to more effective poverty alleviation?

3. What opportunities and threats do you see in structuring the learning capacities of Northern and Southern civil society organisations?