Agenda

9:00am

Registration and refreshments

9:50am

Welcome and introduction to the day

• Anna Feuchtwang, Chair, Bond Board

10.15am

"Question Time: Political Perspectives on International Development"

Moderator:

• Rajan Datar, BBC Presenter and Reporter

Panel:

• Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development
• Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
• Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development

Bond members are invited to pre-submit questions which they would like to ask the politicians about their approach to the NGO sector and policies on international development. Questions can be submitted on the website by those who register to attend.

11.30am

Break.  Refreshments and networking

12:00pm

AGM and elections/Governance and Q&A

1:10pm

Lunch and networking

The afternoon will focus on development policy and practice. It will also include parallel sessions that look at a wide range of issues that are relevant to our members.  

2:15pm

"The Changing Role of Northern NGOs as Southern Development Actors"

Moderator: 

• Prof. Lawrence Haddad, Director, IDS, University of Sussex

Speaker:

•   Dr Rajesh Tandon, Director, PRIA, India

Panel:

• Ramesh Singh, CEO ActionAid, International
• Christine Allen, Director, PROGRESSIO

• Tashmin Khamis, Director, Child to Child Trust  

Dr Rajesh Tandon, founder of PRIA and an acclaimed leader of participatory research and development, will reflect on the changing role of Northern NGOs from the perspective of the South.  The panel will then discuss his remarks and bring in questions from the floor.

3.30pm

Announcements/signposting/election result (if applicable)

3.35pm

Break.  Refreshments and networking

4.00pm

Parallel sessions (six sessions will run in parallel - delegates attend one session)

The combination of recession and longer-term shifts in the resourcing of UK NGOs offers an unprecedented opportunity for Bond members to examine the assumptions around organisational resourcing strategies and to work proactively with others to generate resource for effective UK NGOs. This is an opportunity to share thinking about the future challenges and how to strategically address these together.

The UK General Election in 2010 is likely to result in significant changes to the UK political map. Additionally, 2010 will be an important year for development on an international level with the G8 Summit in Canada and other key events providing many opportunities for joint advocacy and to impact on development policy. This session provides an important opportunity to build and direct the momentum of UK civil society advocacy on international development.

3) NGO effectiveness: the participation challenge

There is consensus that the quality of the relationships and partnerships among and between NGOs are crucial to effective development organisations. This session provides a chance for members to shape this key pillar of the Bond Effectiveness Programme by contributing practical ideas and recommendations, hearing the thoughts of Dr Rajesh Tandon, and suggesting how it can address members' needs in relation to strengthening participation and relationships with partners and/or beneficiaries, and improving practice and sharing learning.

4) Stand by your Principles

We have a collective responsibility to defend and build the reputation of our sector together. Bond membership is conditional on acceptance of the 1998 Statement of Principles, and yet how many of us feel accountable to them? The Bond Board has decided to improve, update and simplify the Statement of Principles. This is a Directors-only opportunity to have a say on what's in and what's out, and how and whether to verify members adherence to the Principles.

5) Challenges for leaders of smaller NGOs

Leading a small NGO can be a challenging, isolating and stressful task, but also one with the potential for great rewards. This session provides an opportunity to discuss some of these challenges with others in a similar situation and explore common solutions together. 

6) NGO - private sector partnerships

Collaboration between commercial and non-profit organisations is tentative in the development sector, and yet a sound understanding of the respective strengths and weaknesses of the private sector and NGOs is the key to delivering scaled-up and durable impact on poverty. Isn't it time we finally recognised the enormity of our task and our need for allies?

5:45pm

Close

6.00pm - 8.00pm 

Drinks reception