MLI Learning Collaborative Forum: South to South Peer Learning Builds Capacity and Ownership
A distinctive element of MLI’s approach to build capacity and foster greater country ownership and leadership is south to south peer learning.
Using this approach, MLI hosted its first Learning Collaborative Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 29 – December 3, 2010. The Forum brought together health ministry leaders from the five MLI countries (Mali, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia) to share experiences in highly interactive sessions that addressed the three MLI policy areas: health financing for equity; donor alignment and coordination; and reproductive health.
Participants analyzed the role that leadership plays within the policy reform context and identified what level of leadership and country ownership is needed to advance country priorities and achieve desired policy and health outcomes. The Forum built upon previous MLI peer learning opportunities and allowed countries to highlight successful initiatives of mutual interest and strengthened relationships among MLI country delegates and global staff to help meet each country’s MLI goals. The program also helped solidify learning partnerships that will last well beyond the lifetime of MLI.
To read the daily posts and interviews with global health leaders from the Learning Collaborative Forum, check out MLI’s blog, Leading Global Health. The final program agenda is available in French and English.
The Learning Collaborative Forum’s Proceedings are available here.