What is Networking?
It is not just "what you know," but also "who you know" that can be a source of strength. What is the extent to which community members, especially leaders, know persons (and their agencies or organizations) who can provide useful resources that will strengthen the community as a whole? Available here.
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Networking is a matter of creating useful linkages, both within and among communities, organizations, and societies, in order to mobilize resources and achieve various goals. [1] One author describes it as the “art of building alliances.” [2]
Networking occurs at a variety of levels. At the level of neighborhoods and communities, it is a matter of creating reciprocal relationships with other members of society. In many instances, parties meet informally to share a meal or hold a casual meeting. They often share resources, contacts, and information with one another. As a result of these conversations and newly found connections, individuals often find jobs and freelance work, locate apartments, trade services, and develop cooperative strategies.
Some common examples of networking activities include attending trade or professional association meetings, volunteering for community work, visiting with other members of one’s social clubs or religious groups, posting messages on mailing lists, and talking to other people in one’s community. [3] Networking contacts are often found through friends, extended family, alumni associations, former bosses, and members of the various clubs, religious groups, or other organizations to which one belongs. [4]
Many professionals have increasingly relied on Internet chat rooms, networking websites, and online forums to discuss recent developments in their occupation or field and ask questions of each other. Those looking for employment typically find that networking is one of the most effective ways to find a job. In many villages in less developed parts of the world, establishing social contacts is important for individuals who need to locate money and resources or seek information about where seasonal workers are needed. [5] Networking also allows individuals in many countries to form groups so that they may qualify for loans from banks. Networking is also an important component of community organizing. This requires that diverse members of the population build relationships, share resources, and work together in an organized way for social change. Networking can occur among members of a single organization or social group, among people from many different communities and identity groups, and among organizations. [6] It is a matter of forging connections with other individuals or groups who face similar problems and issues and want to work together toward solutions. These social connections allow individuals, groups, and organizations to find allies, access tools, share practical wisdom, and build collaborative strategies. Networking thus helps those working for social change to share resources and information, devise an agenda, and engage in collective action within their society. [7] For example, local activists and those working in the field of peacemaking will find it useful to make contact with other grassroots organizers to coordinate efforts, learn what has already been done on the issue, and discuss what has and has not worked. Likewise, it is important for organizations to make contacts with other agencies, groups, and individuals that might support their work in direct or indirect ways.
Like coalition building, networking is grounded in the notion that people who pool their resources have a greater ability to advance their interests. Connections formed through networking can be useful in broadening the research and knowledge base of social campaigns and generating new resources and backing for their efforts. Establishing alliances also makes it easier for organizations to gain help from support groups and allies who support their goals. Insofar as those who coordinate their activities and share resources have a greater chance of success, networking often empowers groups and helps to give people a real voice in decisions that affect them. Through networking, individuals also may develop relationships with third party neutrals as well as adversaries, which ultimately may make it easier for them to come to some sort of agreement in current or future disputes.
Networking at the National and International Levels
In addition to the networking that takes place among individuals at the local level, there are national networks that bring together local organizations, religious groups, community groups, trade unions, and hospitals. The types of networking that commonly take place at the national level are civic engagement and multi-stakeholder participation. Civic engagement is a matter of interaction between civil society organizations and governments so that they can build constructive relationships and bring about social, economic, and political change. Likewise, rapid advances in media, telecommunications, and computer technology have facilitated wide sharing of information among multiple civil society stakeholders.
The Horn of Africa NGO Network for Development (HANND) is a network of indigenous civil society actors and NGOs in the Horn of Africa, which began networking among themselves in 1997. In March 2000, at a regional meeting in Djibouti, the participants in HANND decided to establish themselves as a legal and formal regional network. This network allows for communication among civil society leaders and allows participants to share useful information about conflict prevention, food security, and capacity development. [From: http://www.hannd.net/]
Why is Networking Important?
Individuals, groups, and organizations that have developed strong connections with a variety of support groups and allies typically are more able to achieve their objectives. |
Networking is important for a variety of reasons, many of which already have been mentioned above. At both the individual and collective level, networking is a strategy of empowerment. As a result of networking, organizations and individuals are able to apply political pressure at the local and global level in support of their goals. Networking aids in organizing and mobilization, empowers civil society groups, and enables poor and powerless individuals to have a stronger voice in the processes of decision-making. [17] This is because having a strong set of social connections helps parties organize lobbying and advocacy activities at the national, regional, and international level in order to bring about needed social changes. This typically involves challenging adverse laws, restructuring power relations, and bringing about policy changes. Through such joint efforts, parties are often more capable of influencing the future of their communities.
In addition, people from diverse backgrounds who have faced a variety of struggles come together to advance their common objectives. This facilitates interaction between people in different parts of the world and allows them to recognize both their differences and their commonality. As a result of networking with others both inside and outside their social groups, disenfranchised members of society can realize and extend their power. Networking among multiple stakeholders allows for the sharing of information and knowledge that is important for poverty reduction and economic development. As a result of new advances in media, telecommunications, and computing, there is potential to share this information with a broader audience of development stakeholders. [21] Good networking also helps to build trusting relationships among parties and allows for the sharing of resources so that groups can bring about important social, economic, and political changes.
Networking Abilities
The preceding discussion suggests that networking is an important part of collective action at the local, national, and international levels. It serves to empower individuals, communities, and organizations so that they may achieve their goals. It seems clear, then, that the ability to network effectively is an important skill for people to possess. What sorts of capacities are needed for effective networking?
Strong networkers need to be able to develop rapport with a wide variety of people. Typically they have the respect and trust of their fellow citizens so that others listen to them. They demonstrate sincere concern and curiosity and actively seek out information and knowledge. [23] In addition, they have developed an understanding of how groups and institutions relate to each other and are aware of how different sectors of the community function within the social system. They are outgoing and friendly and stay in contact with other people in the network on an ongoing basis. A good networker should be skilled at calling people “to assembly,” have strong listening skills, and be adept at organizing activities. [24]
In addition, they will be proficient at some of the activities that are central to networking. These include collective lobbying, information sharing, coordinated advocacy, and the initiation of innovative educational and media projects. Good communication skills and knowledge about mass media are also helpful.
[1] Phil Bartle, “Elements of Community Strength,” Seattle Community Network, available at: http://www.scn.org/cmp/modules/mea-ele.htm#S Networking
[1] Phil Bartle, “Elements of Community Strength,” Seattle Community Network, available at: Networking
[2] “Networking and Your Job Search,” The Riley Guide, March, 2005, available at: http://www.rileyguide.com/network.html
[3] ibid. [4] Barbara Reihnhod, “Why Networking?” Monster.com, available at: http://content.monster.com/career/networking/bigdeal/
[5] Judit Katona-Apte, “Coping Strategies of Destitute Women in Bangladesh,” United Nations University, available at: http://www.unu.edu/unupress/food/8F103e/8F103E06.htm
[6] “Community Organizer’s Guide,” Ability Maine, available at: http://www.abilitymaine.org/rosc/cog.html [
7] ibid.
[8] “Project Concept: Knowledge Networking for Empowerment and Development,” knownetasia.org, The Foundation for Media Alternatives, available at: http://www.fma.ph/knownetasia/project_concept.html
[9] “Bringing Citizen Voice and Client Focus Into Service Delivery: Nicaraguan Community Movement,” Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, available at: http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/govern/citizenvoice/pdfs/nicaraguacm.pdf
[10] http://www.fma.ph/knownetasia/project_concept.html
[11] Paul J.M van Tongeren, "The Challenge of Coordination and Networking," in Peacebuilding: A Field Guide, (Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2001), 510.
[12] ibid., 512. [
13] ibid., 511. The European Platform has now expanded to become global in scope, forming the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict. (See http://www.gppac.org/ for information.)
[14] ibid., 515.
[15] Kent Arnold, “The Challenge of Building Training Capacity: The Center for Conflict Resolution Approach in Burundi,” in Peacebuilding: A Field Guide, (Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2001), 284.
[16] “How Can Global Research by WFSE Sustain Forest Development?” The World Forests, Society, and Environment Research Program, United Nations University, available at: http://www.unu.edu/env/forests/forum-satmeet.htm
[17] “Community Building Through Convening,” Island County Public Health and Human Services, available at: http://www.islandcounty.net/health/convene.htm#Networking
[18] van tongeren, 517.
[19] Vathsala Aithal, “Empowerment and Global Action of Women: Theory and Practice,” Working Papers, Kvinnforsk, University of Tromso, available at: http://www.skk.uit.no/WW99/papers/Aithal_Vathsala.pdf
[20] ibid. [21] http://www.fma.ph/knownetasia/project_concept.html
[22] Karen Kenny, “Human Rights Monitoring: How to Do It and Lessons Learned,” in Peacebuilding: A Field Guide, (Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2001),205.
[23] http://www.islandcounty.net/health/convene.htm#Networking
[24] ibid.
Use the following to cite this article:
Maiese, Michelle. "Networking." Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: September 2005 <http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/networking/>.
Sources of Additional, In-depth Information on this Topic
Additional Explanations of the Underlying Concepts:
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Offline (Print) Sources
van Tongeren, Paul J.M. "Coordination and Codes of Conduct: The Challenge of Coordination and Networking." In Peacebuilding: A Field Guide. Edited by Reychler, Luc and Thania Paffenholz, eds. Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2001.
With so many entities (governments, NGOS, IGOs) involved in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, coordinating those efforts can be a challenge. Van Tongeren discusses that this coordination is not only desirable, but also attainable. The chapter discusses how, particularly in Europe, networks have been established that lay the foundation for an effective system of collaboration.
Arnold, Kent. "The Challenge of Building Training Capacity: The Center for Conflict Resolution Approach in Burundi." In Peacebuilding: A Field Guide. Edited by Hamilton, Lee H., ed. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001.
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