New Security Beat

That laughter, levity, and fun gets us through tough times and fuels our desire to understand each other - Josh Goldstein, Bridge Collaborative Director, @nature_org on what drives strong collaboration personally and in organizations

James Watson, Development Diplomat in Residence for the South Region @USAID highlights the importance of having a diversity of voices in decision making to enhance collaboration.

Lane Pollack, Senior Learning Advisor @USAID, said that collaboration comes from mixing together the broader organizational leadership, but also a balance between skills and practice. Where we talk a lot about the practice, but it’s also the mindset of the team.

Our Q&A will start shortly! Please submit your questions for our panelists to ecsp@wilsoncenter.org.

Josh Goldstein @nature_org mentioned the importance of building metrics to embed the value of collaboration across sectors and disciplines. He answers that thinking along steps in the process and executing them over years moves towards progress.

James Watson @USAID has dealt with power differences by ensuring that teams are led by those most effective, not always with the "relevant" background, i.e. putting an education officer in charge of a poverty reduction team.

Tony Pryor @USAID says conflict and risk can bring people together. He offers something to keep in mind moving forward, how do you get people to listen to these issues when they don’t have time to listen to these issues because they’re listening to something else?

Lane Pollack @USAID hopes one lasting impact from #COVID19 is the getting to "we." International development is such an interdependent system and that more trust and collaborative practices last to make development more effective.