methodological approach

An innovative approach to partnerships requires the support of a cluster of services based on a portfolio of communication, information, and learning tools. Therefore, although products and services will stand on their own, they will be developed in parallel so as to be mutually supportive and complementary.

1. Stakeholder Identification

A preliminary number of Canadian stakeholders with interests in Latin America, particularly in the Andean region, includes institutions like IDRC, CIDA, The Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL), the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS) and some other key academic, business, and professional networks and organizations. Other stakeholders will be identified on successive explorations by using information available in data basis, programs and projects of these institutions. On the Latin American side, information provided by RIPPET will be the initial entry point for identification of stakeholders. Eventually, data from regional organizations and networks will be used. Information available in the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank Institute (WBI) data basis will be also consulted. Results from inquiries and interviews with experts to be conducted in order to develop components indicated in this proposal will represent additional opportunities for identification of other key stakeholders. Thus, identification of stakeholders will be the result of successive explorations.

2. Distance Training Courses: Assessment of Supply and Demand

Long-term courses at the M.A. level exist in abundance in the region. The gaps are in high quality short-term courses to update qualifications. The project will seek to identify potential supply and demand for focused courses of two-four weeks' duration to update knowledge and skills of professionals and entrepreneurs in the substantive areas of focus. It will also consider optimal content and format for such courses. The process related to identifying and matching content (e-courses) related to a particular field will increase the likelihood of defining a sound strategy of use to implement in other subject areas. Having identified concrete gaps (as well as the process to identify these gaps), a proposal to create, disseminate (and charge for) this content could follow-up as a concrete deliverable. Examples of courses to be considered include:

• Training in the selection and use of tools for local program design, follow-up and evaluation, and on community planning - eventually other educational products may be included - to be delivered by Canadian professors and Southern partners
   
• Substantive theoretical and practical updates on current issues, based on recent research and experience
   
• Introduction to topics of interest for professional or business development purposes, and related to local economic development in sectors such as trade, industry, or services
   
• Presentations on policy areas related to local development and international trade participation, 'glocalization', and the use of ICTs
   

At this stage, preference will be given to courses with the potential to build upon results of development projects having received Canadian support. Canadian, Latin American and Andean NGOs, research centres and professional and entrepreneurial associations, and international aid agencies, will also be engaged with respect to their interest and ability to offer courses. Potential for the marketing of Canadian expertise and educational products in the Andean region and beyond it in Latin America, and vice-versa, for the marketing of Latin American expertise and knowledge in Canada will be given special attention.

Opportunities for North-South institutional collaboration in the design and delivery of the training courses will be explored through existing networks like RIPPET, other networks led by CEBEM (RIADEL, etc), and networks led by FOCAL, CALACS, the Latin American Centre for Development Administration (CLAD), ECLAC, and others.

3. Canada-Andes-Latin America Portal: Format and Components

Currently, there is no "one stop" internet-based source of information to announce upcoming activities to be conducted by Canadians in the region, or about Latin American events in Canada - project pipelines, conferences, or training opportunities - that could be of interest to Canadian and Latin American scholars, graduate students, professionals, and business persons. The central purpose of the system will be to alert and inform about current or future activities to be conducted by Canadians in the region, and their potential for diverse partnership options.

The design of a prototype system will include a portal, which will be housed at CEBEM. Given that design of such a broad website may become a very complex task that would consume energy and resources when resources are not longer available, identifying key stakeholders that would keep the site up and running and designing the technical specifications will be key to this objective.

The specifications will be defined on the basis of consultations with a select number of academics, private sector organizations, and professional associations that might be interested in using and funding specialized websites in areas such as public services, health, education, SMEs, international trade, technology transference, etc. Specialized newsletters, web sites, and a plan for creation of an experimental Observatory devoted to promotion of innovative cooperation partnerships between Canada and the Andean Region, will be considered among the possible components of the system. Particular attention will be given to avoid duplications with current newsletters on Latin America issues produced in Canada, USA or Europe. Proposals for websites will be made on the base of analysis of existing websites that include the region.

4. Canada-Andes-Latin America Exchange Program

The project will explore the viability of self-financed and self-sustaining exchanges supported by a community-based infrastructure. The exchange program will be for professionals, business persons (particularly from, but not reduced to, small and medium size enterprises), academics, and policy makers interested in their professional updating, conduct market explorations, or explore hard and soft technology transfer.

Such exchanges would require support in terms of information and capacity-building services, which would be made available through other components of the overall program. In certain cases, exchanges could be combined with courses to be delivered by Canadian and Latin American experts as preparation for more fruitful internships and explorations. The Canada-Andes-Latin America Portal would provide additional support. The program will also take advantage of existing provisions in Canada that promote the updating of professionals. Special attention will be given to opportunities and resources that could contribute to make this sort of program more sustainable.

5. A Strategy for On-line Cost Recovery

While only one component of a sound business plan that seeks to ensure sustainability, cost recovery is a perennial problem for civil society organizations; it is therefore important to identify other experiments in this area, and to identify possible mechanisms enabling suppliers of services to charge their users.

Modalities for on-line cost recovery corresponding to delivery of courses, selling of publications, documents, and accessing to databases, will be examined. Cost recovery may be a very important factor of long-term financial sustainability to distance education programs and networking activities. Currently, cost recovery is very limited despite the possibility for paying by potential users. The strategy will propose steps to be taken at the short, medium and long term, and mechanisms and means to be implemented at each step.