IVCO Think Piece "To build a bridge that unites us, and withstands the storm"

This think piece is part of the materials produced in advance of the 2024 International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations Conference (IVCO 2024), hosted by Northumbria University in partnership with Comhlámh. It is available in English, Spanish and French.

The think piece “To build a bridge that unites us, and withstands the storm” is written by Jan Olav Baarøy, Kari Anette Lindemann and Tone-Merete Lillesvangstu who work for the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (Norec). This think piece focuses on the importance of strong relationships over time to overcome challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop resilient partnerships that can adapt to new circumstances and foster unity among people around the world. The piece uses the example of a knowledge exchange project in Lebanon, supported by the Norwegian government, to illustrate Norec’s approach and emphasis on two-way learning. The authors discuss how the partnerships supported by Norec evolve over time, highlighting how project duration, long-term commitment and personal relationships are crucial in this process.