Dr. Norgrove Penny, CM, MD, FRCS(C)

Clinical Assistant ProfessorFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British Columbia

Senior Advisor for Physical ImpairmentsCBM International

Enduring PartnershipsHow do we ensure a strong egalitarian

partnership?

together we can do more

Partnership is not an option…

It is an absolute necessity!

Partnerships can be the most powerful and rewarding thing in

the world…

…or the most difficult and troublesome thing!

Egalitarian

Definition: characterized by belief in the equality of all people, especially in political, economic, or social life.

• From French égalitaire, from égalité,

equality, from Latin aequālitās, from aequālis, equal.

How do we create a partnership characterized by equality?

How do we create a partnership that will endure?

Marriage

A partnership that can be:• Successful• Hard work• Tolerated for the kids• Incompatible• Different goals

Successful Marriages

• Communication• Transparency• Mutual respect• Recognition of differences• Loyalty• Shared goals

Communication

Transparency

I’d like to know all the details, good and bad, so I know how to assist.

I’d best tell him only what I think he wants me to say. I don’t want to offend my visitor.

Mutual Respect

Mutual Respect: Mutual Learning

“Walk a mile in the other persons shoes”

Leadership…not Ownership

• “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

Harry S. Truman

Loyalty

Recognizing Differences

Understanding Culture

Uganda Vancouver Island

Population 26,700,000 752,000

Health budget

240 million 1,600 million

Per person $ 9 $ 2128

Understanding Poverty

“Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice.”

Nelson Mandela

Avoiding paternalism and overcoming dependency

“Mzungu…give me money!”

What breaks down a marriage?

Mutually agreed goals

Dream together

Plan together

“Participatory development”

Mutually agreed goals

• Overall objective: The big picture

• Specific Objective: The project plan

• Activities & expected outcomes

Catching the wave!

Millenium Development Goals

Maternal Health

Disability

Millenium Development Goals

Primary HealthAlma Mater Declaration

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities

3 May 2008

“All elective surgery is disability surgery”

Overall Objective

To reduce mortality and disability by safe and effective surgery and

anaesthesia

Specific Objective

To create a broad based collaboration between the University

of British Columbia and Makerere College of Health Sciences to

capacity build essential surgical, anesthetic and associated support

services in Uganda.

Research

Strategic Development

National Programs

Partnerships & Alliances

58th.World Health Assembly

Collaborations

Academia

NGO’s

Ministries of Health

Professional Associations

Parent groups

DPO’s

Alliance Partners

(WHO)

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness 111 organizations• academic• public • private• commercial • non-profit

“VISION 2020 - working together to eliminate avoidable blindness”

Can we pledge to:

• Agree mutually on goals• Communicate effectively• Be transparent & honest• Have mutual respect• Be loyal• Be tolerant of our differences• Be scrupulous in our finances

The Swiss Principles (1)

• Decide on the objectives together• Build up mutual trust• Share information; develop networks• Share responsibility• Create transparency

Guidelines for Research in Partnership with Developing Countries” 1998

The Swiss Principles (2)

• Monitor and evaluate the collaboration• Disseminate the results• Apply the results• Share profits equitably• Increase research capacity• Build on the achievements

We have made a good start!

U of A Orthopaedic Department 1975

together we can do more