More than 40 participants representing the Partnership’s 10 constituencies gathered in Geneva to consider a new approach to strengthening and deepening the work PMNCH partners do together, linking the four strategic objectives (SO) as well as the six emerging Every Woman Every Child thematic areas.
This was a unique opportunity to hear from each of the SO groups on progress in implementing the 2017 PMNCH work plan; assess and agree on an effective partner-centric approach to working; and identify priorities for 2018.
Helga Fogstad, Executive Director of PMNCH welcomed partners and set the thread for the conversation with an overview of the Partnership’s value add through it SO structure and how that is being delivered by the four functions of accountability, advocacy, analysis and alignment.
She gave a brief update on the work started at the end of 2016 to develop a joint EWEC Partners’ Framework guided by PMNCH as well as aligning PMNCH SO workplan with the emerging six Every Woman Every Child focus areas. In emphasising the importance of this alignment she said, “harmonization and consensus building are key traits of the Every Woman Every Child Movement and this has been major ingredient in the success of the movement”. She then presented the 2017 work plan implementation to date and key achievements in 2017.
The meeting heard contributions from key partners, including IS Global, Norad, Partners in Population and Development, UNFPA, White Ribbon Alliance, WHO, UNAIDS and others who all expressed a range of opinions on the role of the Partnership, its value add and how the partner-centric model and ways of working could be better expressed and structured to contribute meaningfully to the work of the partners.
