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The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The Discourse on Priorities among Donors As foundations started interacting with universities in Africa, these partnerships grew out of a context of scarce resources, in which the research agendas of grantees did not always match those of the grantors but were modified in order to access available funds. In addition, competition for resources existed amongst higher education institutions in Africa. There was a necessity for all involved to pressure national governments to be more responsive to universities’ needs. The Discourse on Priorities among Donors As foundations started interacting with universities in Africa, these partnerships grew out of a context of scarce resources, in which the research agendas of grantees did not always match those of the grantors but were modified in order to access available funds. In addition, competition for resources existed amongst higher education institutions in Africa. There was a necessity for all involved to pressure national governments to be more responsive to universities’ needs. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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This raises many significant questions:
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors This raises many significant questions: Can U.S. foundations embrace Africa's development on Africa's terms? Do African universities have ownership over their participation in U.S. foundations’ strategies for Africa? What legitimizes the role of U.S. foundations in African higher education? This raises many significant questions: Can U.S. foundations embrace Africa's development on Africa's terms? Do African universities have ownership over their participation in U.S. foundations’ strategies for Africa? What legitimizes the role of U.S. foundations in African higher education? Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The Rhetoric of Capacity Building
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The Rhetoric of Capacity Building That non-profit organizations need legitimacy for durability and sustainability. This made the Partnership’s foundations see capacity building as an important mechanism to maximize legitimacy as they strove to generate transformations impacting higher education in Africa. In this context capacity building is geared towards developing an organization's management structures, processes and procedures, institutional and legal framework, human resources, and access to information. By identifying the connection between legitimacy and capacity building, the story of the Partnership can shed light on prominent institutional legitimation forces. The Rhetoric of Capacity Building That non-profit organizations need legitimacy for durability and sustainability. This made the Partnership’s foundations see capacity building as an important mechanism to maximize legitimacy as they strove to generate transformations impacting higher education in Africa. In this context capacity building is geared towards developing an organization's management structures, processes and procedures, institutional and legal framework, human resources, and access to information. By identifying the connection between legitimacy and capacity building, the story of the Partnership can shed light on prominent institutional legitimation forces. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Different Approaches to Grantmaking Within the Partnership
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Different Approaches to Grantmaking Within the Partnership The interest of the foundations in institutional development was expressed in different ways, such as through infrastructure development, organization strengthening, research capacity expansion, revitalization, sustainable development, advancement, fundraising, or strategic planning. Some of the foundations lean towards research for producing new knowledge; others are more interested in the conversion of that knowledge into something more practical and operational. Elements of capacity building, whether in fellowships or in developing institutions, are very prominent in all Partnership endeavors. Different Approaches to Grantmaking Within the Partnership The interest of the foundations in institutional development was expressed in different ways, such as through infrastructure development, organization strengthening, research capacity expansion, revitalization, sustainable development, advancement, fundraising, or strategic planning. Some of the foundations lean towards research for producing new knowledge; others are more interested in the conversion of that knowledge into something more practical and operational. Elements of capacity building, whether in fellowships or in developing institutions, are very prominent in all Partnership endeavors. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Partnership Focus With the addition of new members, the priorities of the Partnership remained focused on institutional development. The Partnership shaped the foundations’ actions around the goals of resource expansion to impact African universities and academic networks with greater strength. Foundations designed and promoted a discourse of capacity building. Core functions were defined in the language of capacity builders. Grants were focused on the universities’ capital infrastructure, lowering costs through economies of scale, positioning higher education as a responsible partner in building democratic societies, triggering public policy reform, increasing access and gender equity, and encouraging inter-institutional collaboration. Partnership Focus With the addition of new members, the priorities of the Partnership remained focused on institutional development. The Partnership shaped the foundations’ actions around the goals of resource expansion to impact African universities and academic networks with greater strength. Foundations designed and promoted a discourse of capacity building. Core functions were defined in the language of capacity builders. Grants were focused on the universities’ capital infrastructure, lowering costs through economies of scale, positioning higher education as a responsible partner in building democratic societies, triggering public policy reform, increasing access and gender equity, and encouraging inter-institutional collaboration. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Distribution of Grants per Recipient Type
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Distribution of Grants per Recipient Type Distribution of Grants per Recipient Type Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Grant Distribution Analyzing foundation spending reflected the preference for capacity building that directed the foundations’ grantmaking. The foundations unfolded their capacity building strategy by focusing on institutional development and structuring information and communication technology. Fiber optic cable and the Bandwidth Consortium project are among the Partnership’s capstone achievements. Other areas such as administrative staff development, technical assistance, library support and, to a certain extent, academic research support, could also be counted as capacity building. Grant Distribution Analyzing foundation spending reflected the preference for capacity building that directed the foundations’ grantmaking. The foundations unfolded their capacity building strategy by focusing on institutional development and structuring information and communication technology. Fiber optic cable and the Bandwidth Consortium project are among the Partnership’s capstone achievements. Other areas such as administrative staff development, technical assistance, library support and, to a certain extent, academic research support, could also be counted as capacity building. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Capacity Building Focus
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Capacity Building Focus There was very little specialization in the Partnership; no foundation had a single area of focus. Nevertheless, the approach that dominated the Partnership reveals how foundations conform to the myth of capacity building. Capacity building functioned as a leveraging process between these foundations and as a collective rhetoric framing the initiatives of the foundations. Essentially, capacity building helped these foundations reach a consensus, despite the fragmented nature of their collaboration. Capacity Building Focus There was very little specialization in the Partnership; no foundation had a single area of focus. Nevertheless, the approach that dominated the Partnership reveals how foundations conform to the myth of capacity building. Capacity building functioned as a leveraging process between these foundations and as a collective rhetoric framing the initiatives of the foundations. Essentially, capacity building helped these foundations reach a consensus, despite the fragmented nature of their collaboration. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Complexity of Achieving Partnership Goals
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Complexity of Achieving Partnership Goals Applying a common strategy for nine target countries, with an additional expectation of a potential ripple effect on other African countries, indicates the need for an understanding of the challenges ahead. To be selected universities had to be good candidates for potential support according to criteria including past and current relationship with the foundations. The grantees had to be dedicated to innovation, which also indicated their willingness to reform their institution. Finally, the grantee had to demonstrate its ability as a proponent or participant in social change for the country it served. Complexity of Achieving Partnership Goals Applying a common strategy for nine target countries, with an additional expectation of a potential ripple effect on other African countries, indicates the need for an understanding of the challenges ahead. To be selected universities had to be good candidates for potential support according to criteria including past and current relationship with the foundations. The grantees had to be dedicated to innovation, which also indicated their willingness to reform their institution. Finally, the grantee had to demonstrate its ability as a proponent or participant in social change for the country it served. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Partnership Strategy The Partnership’s strategic plan of selecting countries and institutions was based on three proclaimed principles: reform, democratization and political stability. To accomplish its goals, it selected countries with progressive democratic and liberalized environments, and with universities on the move that could serve as demonstrations of what higher education in Africa could accomplish under the right conditions. The foundations together supported activities that offered high potential for cross-learning and joint problem-solving. Partnership Strategy The Partnership’s strategic plan of selecting countries and institutions was based on three proclaimed principles: reform, democratization and political stability. To accomplish its goals, it selected countries with progressive democratic and liberalized environments, and with universities on the move that could serve as demonstrations of what higher education in Africa could accomplish under the right conditions. The foundations together supported activities that offered high potential for cross-learning and joint problem-solving. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The Partnership’s Vision
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The Partnership’s Vision Selected universities and centers of intellectual inquiry will demonstrate ability to promote the free flow of ideas and enlarge the public sphere of their societies. They will evidence effective use of information technology. They will build and transfer a repertoire of skills essential for the development of their societies. They will be part of a global network of imaginative teaching, research and outreach institutions in which creativity is fed through experimentation and shared experiences. They will reflect a quiet revolution in institution building in Africa that can unleash the talents of the continent for the well-being of its people and those beyond its borders. The Partnership’s Vision Selected universities and centers of intellectual inquiry will demonstrate ability to promote the free flow of ideas and enlarge the public sphere of their societies. They will evidence effective use of information technology. They will build and transfer a repertoire of skills essential for the development of their societies. They will be part of a global network of imaginative teaching, research and outreach institutions in which creativity is fed through experimentation and shared experiences. They will reflect a quiet revolution in institution building in Africa that can unleash the talents of the continent for the well-being of its people and those beyond its borders. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Apparent Contradictions
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Apparent Contradictions Arguably, the Partnership's approach to build capacities by focusing on a few relatively strong universities also appears as a contradiction. Selecting weaker universities and applying a capacity building approach to developing them would make more sense. This raised some criticism particularly from universities which did not get selected. Some would criticize the foundations for creating an exclusive club and not reaching out to other constituencies that were also in need. By selecting grantees with whom they had long-established connections the foundations orchestrated a maximization strategy which was thought to have the potential to influence the African continent. Apparent Contradictions Arguably, the Partnership's approach to build capacities by focusing on a few relatively strong universities also appears as a contradiction. Selecting weaker universities and applying a capacity building approach to developing them would make more sense. This raised some criticism particularly from universities which did not get selected. Some would criticize the foundations for creating an exclusive club and not reaching out to other constituencies that were also in need. By selecting grantees with whom they had long-established connections the foundations orchestrated a maximization strategy which was thought to have the potential to influence the African continent. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors
Advocacy The goal was to make the case for higher education to governments, international organizations and other donors. The donor community included government agencies, foreign development organizations, foundations and many other funding institutions. The goal was to influence this community of international developers. To a lesser extent, non-governmental organizations and inter- governmental organizations such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development or the African Union were also targeted by the foundations. Advocacy The goal was to make the case for higher education to governments, international organizations and other donors. The donor community included government agencies, foreign development organizations, foundations and many other funding institutions. The goal was to influence this community of international developers. To a lesser extent, non-governmental organizations and inter-governmental organizations such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development or the African Union were also targeted by the foundations. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Legitimacy Questions About the Partnership
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Legitimacy Questions About the Partnership For some, the Partnership agenda was not focused enough on helping institutions improve. The Partnership’s original vision was to support institution building, not advocacy. Some critics questioned the Partnership's overall strategy for expansion in Africa and if the foundations had a vision for coverage after the Partnership ended. The landscape for philanthropy had changed and was being interrogated by the intentions announced by players with larger resources, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Legitimacy Questions About the Partnership For some, the Partnership agenda was not focused enough on helping institutions improve. The Partnership’s original vision was to support institution building, not advocacy. Some critics questioned the Partnership's overall strategy for expansion in Africa and if the foundations had a vision for coverage after the Partnership ended. The landscape for philanthropy had changed and was being interrogated by the intentions announced by players with larger resources, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The Partnership’s Widening Influence
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The Partnership’s Widening Influence Influence on the ecology of donors–-including government budgets, international organizations and development agencies–-became an indicator for the Partnership’s impact. National governments, foreign investors and the World Bank were target interlocutors for the foundations’ collaborative effort. The Partnership could rightly claim that in Mozambique it did help develop Mozambique’s strategic plan for the development of higher education which over time evolved into the framework for the establishment of 20 different universities in the country. The Partnership’s Widening Influence Influence on the ecology of donors–-including government budgets, international organizations and development agencies–-became an indicator for the Partnership’s impact. National governments, foreign investors and the World Bank were target interlocutors for the foundations’ collaborative effort. The Partnership could rightly claim that in Mozambique it did help develop Mozambique’s strategic plan for the development of higher education which over time evolved into the framework for the establishment of 20 different universities in the country. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The World Bank and the Partnership
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The World Bank and the Partnership In several instances the World Bank appeared as the Foundations’ adversary. Partnering with the World Bank was not the foundations’ priority, as it often meant time-consuming efforts at negotiating memoranda of understanding and legal documentation for partnerships. The Bank designed a framework for its collaboration with foundations which saw foundations as complementary to the World Bank’s activities. The World Bank supported initiatives that were carried out by the foundations as far as they were complementary to the Bank’s initiatives, such as research pilots, evaluations, strategies, seminars and conferences. The World Bank and the Partnership In several instances the World Bank appeared as the Foundations’ adversary. Partnering with the World Bank was not the foundations’ priority, as it often meant time-consuming efforts at negotiating memoranda of understanding and legal documentation for partnerships. The Bank designed a framework for its collaboration with foundations which saw foundations as complementary to the World Bank’s activities. The World Bank supported initiatives that were carried out by the foundations as far as they were complementary to the Bank’s initiatives, such as research pilots, evaluations, strategies, seminars and conferences. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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The World Bank and the Partnership cont’d
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors The World Bank and the Partnership cont’d Paradoxically, the foundations in the Partnership were reluctant to collaborate with the World Bank, while hoping to leverage the Bank’s funding potential. The Partnership foundation generally agreed that maximizing the information flow while minimizing formal association would be the most politic way of proceeding, especially given the combination in some countries of the problematic standing of the bank and the politicized nature of higher education. The World Bank and the Partnership cont’d Paradoxically, the foundations in the Partnership were reluctant to collaborate with the World Bank, while hoping to leverage the Bank’s funding potential. The Partnership foundation generally agreed that maximizing the information flow while minimizing formal association would be the most politic way of proceeding, especially given the combination in some countries of the problematic standing of the bank and the politicized nature of higher education. Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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Outcomes of the Partnership
Chapter 7 - The Discourse on Priorities among Donors Outcomes of the Partnership Higher education in Africa is back on the agenda for many organizations, and the Partnership foundations deserve some credit for their efforts. Higher education developers and governments alike were motivated and accelerated, and hopefully given a strong direction. They should receive some credit for coming in when they did at the turn of the 21st century. Would it have happened anyway if they had not come in? Outcomes of the Partnership Higher education in Africa is back on the agenda for many organizations, and the Partnership foundations deserve some credit for their efforts. Higher education developers and governments alike were motivated and accelerated, and hopefully given a strong direction. They should receive some credit for coming in when they did at the turn of the 21st century. Would it have happened anyway if they had not come in? Based on Unequal Partners: American Foundations and Higher Education Development in Africa by Dr. Fabrice Jaumont
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