I guess you did not notice the gap in the event-reporting – so busy we were with yesterday’s visitors. Do a quick recall - Reporting and Atlas – the work flow were merely alluded to. That’s not enough since it is worth telling, as part of our nerve centre so to speak! For example in Reporting this phrase used to open the presentation sums it up: “what isn’t measured doesn’t count!” One could stop there but we need to hear about the MYFF since this is not just unique to how we measure our performance but is coming from the very top – the GA via UNDP to UNV. Eventually all agencies will go that route or a variation of that route at some point in time. We heard what it’s about and will continue to hear about. Some fresh news? Perhaps not but it’s about the Results Tree – well you’ll certainly be hearing more about it as it’s in the making or growing in UNV HQ – with country office contribution, of course! There were some revelations – it is possible to be perfect (for those of us who thought otherwise) - some colleagues had a perfect score, 100% for achievements in reporting. A resounding applause! How did they do it? They shared that gladly while notes were being busily being taken with accompanying mumbles (one imagines) of “must reach that target myself”!
Atlas was a different story – it brought back memories of when it rolled out January 2003 and even the feverish preparations that preceded that memorable rollout. The workflow has proved to be, well – let’s say there are some discoveries that will need a rethink and more challenges than bargained for, but the team members have rolled up their sleeves and are well away on getting it in place.
Wasn’t it good to hear of a Knowledge Platform – UNV’s very own which will offer just about everything including links to UNDP’s? There was even demos available of the prototype. Now knowledge/learning will know no bounds – limitless.
Having done a bit of catching up, let’s turn to testing the temperature in the corridors… Is it a shared impression that we are winding down and so the glow is diminishing? It would seem so although there is still a sense of something’s glowing or perhaps it’s those glowing sessions that we are attending. Like Wednesday’s strategy meetings – which was a real chance of exchange of thinking and experience sharing. Visitors were there to lend their knowledge and experience in some cases.
Then, again Thursday morning, we were able to glow all we wanted in Shared Groups. Most were filled to capacity with standing room only or rather glowing on the floor if you found a comfortable spot! Some people actually did and were they glowing with ideas!!! Well you could hardly blame them when themes so close to their hearts like HIV/AIDS, Youth, Environment, Crisis Prevention and so on were open to experience-sharing and debate throughout the day. Here was a chance – long awaited, to really tell those HQ people (far from where the action is) what the issues are; what the reality is; who the true players are; give the other or rather true perspective of V4D, volunteerism, or is it voluntary action or even volunteering - now we have to watch our language, there is a definition – what we do has been defined.
I surmise that the following is happening – we’ve been glowing so much for so long (especially those in key organizer roles) that unless we bring things to a halt (we are in Germany) we could risk glowing out! That means no more glow and one wouldn’t want that to happen. So time to prepare for lowering the glow level and gradually bring it all to an end. Some may well ask, already? Yes, the week is almost out, no buts. It seems only yesterday the glowers were traipsing into Seminaris in high anticipation of the week and making merry every night – when it seems that this would or should go on forever. Now we hear grim reminders:
“The Shuttle will take you to the train station to get our ticket…” Also, “You will have to check out by…”; and then others are coming into our space where we have been glowing for a week and the implication is – get ready to leave – changes are in the offing and even have already begun! You can see tickets in hand in the corridors, others already arranging how to keep in touch, bargaining and exchanges is in full swing at the Share Fair stands. It’s all very ominous but it spells something – winding down. These signs should have been noted when first announced – “tickets to be confirmed please….” Admit it, you’ve been taken unawares!
But there is good news, always good news – it’s called the silver lining – there is a dinner tonight like the first night and awards and dancing and maybe just maybe we can pretend that it’s only just starting all over again!
But it’s not, even with a fresh batch of distinguished visitors sharing their rich experiences: RR from Arab States, Guatemala, and the Zambia, Representatives from WFP and UNHCR.What does it mean? No, not what you would like to think, or hope, GLOW will not go on for another week… start planning for the next one instead!
By Jean Anglin
Programme Specialist
Africa Section
