Engaging Government

ENGAGING GOVERNMENT KEYS TO FORMING AUTHENTIC AND PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

GLOBAL network Thought Leadership from Collaborate

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Collaborate A FORUM FOR GLOBAL LEADERS

CAFO Collaborate workshops initiate conversations about effective care for orphans and vulnerable children within developing local church and NGO networks around the world.

These workshops generate ideas to: • creatively share information • involve more churches and individuals, • equip local churches for more effective care of vulnerable children in their communities.

During Collaborate 2019, over 122 global leaders from 32 nations brainstormed about shifting cultural mindsets within their nations about Principles for Engaging This publication is a summary of those discussions.

Every network and network finds itself embedded within a specific government system and culture. It is important for networks to engage with the governments that rule over the geographic areas in which they find themselves in order to better serve orphans and children-at-risk. There is so much to think about and consider when interacting with government and even more methods by which to employ those thoughts and ideas.

Collaborate leaders spent time in small groups organized by world region to discuss key strategic principles to keep in mind when engaging and forming effective relationships with governing entities. Each group focused on their specific local and cultural influences on the government within their spheres of influence.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FORM PARTNERSHIPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL........................................................................... 6

CREATE AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS.............................................. 6

CREATE A CLARITY OF CULTURE AND TRANSPARENCY...................................................... 7

ASK QUESTIONS AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE REGARDING GOVERNMENT’S WORK ... 7

KEEP THE NEEDS AND GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION IN MIND................................... 8

CREATE MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST..................................................................................... 8

PRINCIPLES FOR ENGAGING GOVERNMENT

Form Partnerships at Local Level When organization focus on the local community, governments are more likely to view them as a mutual partner in serving individuals and will open doors for the organization and government to engage with one another in that pursuit. It is the hope and prayer of the Church and many organizations that they would be able to show the heart and love of Christ to the watching world. When organizations focus this love on individuals within local communities through active partnerships, it not only reflects Jesus to potential non-Christians but also shows that the organization wants to serve the community in which it functions. These local communities - the individual people and tight-knit bodies they comprise - is what governments care about and are structured to serve.

Create Authentic Relationship and Connections Creating genuine relationships with key stakeholders gives organizations a muchneeded voice within the government. These stakeholders can be government agents, affiliates working alongside the government, and even prominent locals who are respected by and have the favor of the government. When authentic relationships are formed with these individuals, they are likely to hear the perspective of the organization and speak up on behalf of it when topics arise pertaining to the organization and its needs or mission. These types of relationships need to, first and foremost, be initiated but also must be poured into and pursued going forward. It is helpful to view every relationship as a long-term commitment between two people or groups that want mutually beneficial results to come from their connection.

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Create a Culture of Clarity and Transparency Organizations should place a strong emphasis on having clearly defined and expressed policies, intentions, expectations, goals, actions, and finances. This should be upheld from an organization-wide perspective, as well as on an individual basis for the employees and individuals associated with the organization. Being upfront and transparent about everything pertaining to the organization shows the government that nothing is hidden and allows them to feel welcomed to ask questions. Ultimately, this leads to respect and trust in the long run that will further make the government want to engage with the organization.

Ask Questions and Gain Knowledge Regarding the Government’s Work Engagement with the government is a two-way street. If organizations want the government to be invested in and come alongside their work, they need to show the same interest in the government’s work as well. By asking questions, an organization can demonstrate that they genuinely care about what the government is doing, while also gaining helpful knowledge that can inform their interactions with the government moving forward. Potential questions from organizations to government may pertain to current administration goals, what direction the government hopes to move in, why the government does what it does, and how the organization can actively participate in the work of the government. Hopefully, when these questions are raised, the government will ask questions of its own, which will start an ongoing dialogue, leading to further engagement.

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PRINCIPLES FOR ENGAGING GOVERNMENT Keep the Needs and Goals of the Organization in Mind While it is important for organizations to take steps to form partnerships at the local level, create authentic relationships with those working with the government, and come alongside a government’s work, organizations must remember their individual goals and needs. Although compromises must be made to pursue government engagement, boundaries should be set from the outset of the relationship. Non-negotiables ensure organizations do not compromise in areas detrimental to their cause. Boundaries also help to ensure organizations maintain ethical responsibilities. r Create Mutual Respect and Trust When respect between government and organizations goes both ways and trust is held by both sides, everyone involved feels more confident in pursuing engagement. In this way, respect and trust serve as the glue holding engaging relationships and connections together. Ultimately, respect and trust are built primarily through the previous five key principles. When organizations create local partnerships, form authentic relationships with government affiliates, instill transparency in every action, ask informative questions, and keep primary goals in mind, organizations create a perfect environment of trust and respect in government engagement.

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Š 2019 Christian Alliance for Orphans