Addis Ababa kick off Cocoon matchmaking meetings

23 september 2009

On 15 and 16 September the first of three matchmaking meetings for CoCooN took place in Addis Ababa. About 50 participants from 22 different countries attended the meeting. During the meeting information on the knowledge, research and innovation programme Conflict and Cooperation over Natural Resources in Developing Countries (CoCooN) was shared. But the meeting especially offered the opportunity to enlarge networks, enhance the establishment of consortia and exchange ideas on elaborating proposals for the CoCooN programme.

The participants discussed in parallel sessions on issues related to the sub-themes of the programme as well as on the specific features of CoCooN e.g. linking research to action and the importance of capacity development. Various cases were presented and challenges with regard to negotiation skills, advocacy and lobby were identified. After a speed dating event, consortia negotiations started, resulting in about ten initiatives for which proposals will be developed. New partners joined existing initiatives, new perspectives were added and new initiatives were raised, based upon shared interests.

The reports and presentations of all three matchmaking meetings (Addis Ababa, Hanoi and Cali) will soon be available on the website www.nwo.nl/cocoon.