| Some emerging themes from Cambodia research
An interesting finding of the cases is that at least NGOCRC,
ECPAT Cambodia
and MEDiCAM
show a process of progressive formalisation in their histories.
All began as informal institutions gathering interested actors.
Only after a few years did they become formal bodies and,
in the case of ECPAT Cambodia, join international alliances.
This somewhat 'natural' development process is common with
other networks which emphasise community building functions
in their early years to then replace them with more outward-looking
ones. There is hence an argument for sequencing the adoption
of functions to reflect the maturity of the members, access
to resources and skills and the pressures and opportunities
of the external environment. The MEDiCAM case is a good example
of this.
In the cases, flexibility was equated with the network's
ability to fulfil various functions simultaneously. This is
an interesting suggestion, as up until now the literature
on networks has granted flexibility based on networks' idealised
horizontal and 'flexible' structures. In reality, as we have
seen, networks can be extremely vertical and show rather 'un-flexible'
structures, with many formal processes and systems which would
make change difficult. If we look at the multiple functions,
we get an image of a network that can do many things for its
members and, at least, seem flexible to them. Long-term flexibility,
however, will depend on the network's capacity to adopt new
functions or strengthen one or more of those functions at
short notice.
It is important to emphasise that although there are differences
in the shapes, skills, resources and other characteristics
of the networks and that some carryout more specialised functions
than others all fulfil valuable roles. NGOCRC and ECPAT
Cambodia, which according to this analysis are the least developed
of the four cases, provide their members with at least four
different functions. And they do so with a limited set of
skills and resources. This should hence be seen as an opportunity
for improvement and MEDiCAM and COSECAM's experiences as possible
guidelines for future strengthening.
Trust is an issue that was highlighted by the cases
and the context. In general, it is assumed that networks unite
and help develop a single voice. Hence the support from donors
for the formation of networks in developing countries: they
can become a stronger force of change but also can be easier
to deal with. However, without the basic social foundations
(like trust) networks can help make the context even more
complex for civil society, donors and governments alike. In
some cases, not only in Cambodia, networks compete for funding
with their own members - often winning, as donors prefer networks
- and then subcontract non-members or hire new staff to undertake
the work.
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