Managing External Relations - Disaster Management Center ...

Annex
3 PARinAC Principles
A set of principles or ‘Best Practices’ for building effective partnerships has been
identified as a result of the PARinAC (Partnership in Action) process for UNHCR
and its implementing partners, and is based on past experiences and lessons
learned. While some are more applicable to working partner arrangements in
emergency operations, many or all may apply to relationships with governments,
the media and donor agencies. The principles are:
1. Striving to understand each other’s point of view.
Conflicts may be avoided or resolved if both parties
understand the other’s position.
2. Learning from each other. All parties have expertise;
opportunities should be created to share it.
3. Committing jointly to excellence and improvement.
This commitment will foster attitudes of striving for excellence
and encourage open discussion of problems and weaknesses in
implementation.
4. Committing to transparency and information sharing.
This commitment will facilitate decision-making and help
prevent misunderstanding and frustration.
5. Looking for synergy. All parties should cooperate creatively
to optimize resources.
6. Promoting a win-win situation. Parties should seek ways of
working to benefit all.
7. Communicating in all directions. Information should flow
up, down and sideways.
8. Planning and solving operational problems together.
This practice helps to build teams whose members will support
each other in times
of difficulty.
9. Facilitating continuous prioritization. Issues and concerns
should be assessed in terms of their urgency to allow timely
action to be taken.
10. Respecting each other’s expertise. Overall implementation
capacity will be strengthened by wisely combining and using
each agency’s expertise.
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