VeNews March 23, 2001

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LEADERS AND THE GLOBAL INTERNET

Recently Vesper hosted a consultation to discuss the question, "How is the Internet impacting convening, collaboration, and leadership in organizations in different countries and cultures around the world?" Some 21 individuals representing 16 organizations from all regions of the world met to exchange information, discuss this topic, and set an agenda for future work.

One of the consultation's goals was to determine whether faith-based organizations functioning in different contexts face common issues when implementing Internet communication and collaboration strategies, or whether strategies are different in response to local needs. After listening to presentations and sharing their own experiences, participants agreed that technology commonality and constancy are necessary as a basic model for global Internet communication. There are common factors that all communities need to consider, including the environment, availability of resources, and the nature of the organization. The process of defining and assessing these factors can be objectified, and work on this has been done.

At the same time, how and what information is implemented must be decided locally and in an inclusive fashion. Participants described their own local situations including the International Center of Bethlehem in Palestine, Comunidad Cristiana Mesoamericana in Central America, Lweza Training and Conference Centre in Uganda, Holland House in England, and the Christian Study Center in Pakistan. Issues important at the local level included questions of shared access in the organization, and who is chosen to receive special skills training.

In all cases, representatives of local or regional organizations stressed their commitment to serving as leaders in introducing communication technologies to their communities. Participants were also alerted that the process of implementing Internet-based communication is much more dynamic than we may realize, especially since the rapid pace of technology is driving the change. As a result, local contexts are not static, but moving. That means that each ones context, ones home, is moving. As a result, we are constantly "on the way," on a journey.

The consultation also discussed leadership skills that are key in decentralized Internet-based communities. This issue will be discussed in a future VeNews.

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Vesper Society is a private operating foundation with programs in leadership, health, and Central America. Our mission is to create opportunities for individuals, groups, and organizations to apply moral and ethical values in decision making on social and economic issues.