"The conclusions of this overview of ideas and experiences on ownership, mainly aim at stimulating the exchange of ideas on new initiatives in the area of capacity building in media development in the Southern Africa region, and Africa in general. As this study shows, ownership is a much talked abou ... t issue, in donor circles in the North as well as in organisations in the South, but the process of putting it into practice is slow. Rigid strategic objectives and the strong focus on justifiable expenditure of donor funds oftentimes twist the funding process. Organisations in the South try to fit into the donors’ objectives, but oftentimes, at the end of the day, activities are not really relevant to what they require. This is sometimes also a result of a weak mission and strategy on their part. So, ownership demands creativity, imagination, and flexibility on both sides, as well as strong leadership and strategies, and a constant fine-tuning of needs and support." (Conclusions and remarks, page 28) more

"The 6th meeting of the African Media Partners Network, which followed on from the meetings held in Paris (1995), Brussels (1996), Bellagio, Copenhagen (1997) and Johannesburg (1998), was organised by the network's technical secretariat in collaboration with the Dutch non-profit association CAF/SCO. ... The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the meeting in Amsterdam, from 6 to 9 Decem-ber 1999. Gertie Hesseling, Director of the Centre for African Studies and representing CAF/SCO, chaired the opening session. Apart from the various presentations of activities by new members and by Dutch partners, the meeting focussed on three main working themes: issues of professional organisation and structure; law and ethics; the use of new information and communication technologies (NICT), training and pro-duction. Work took place in plenary sessions following a programme designed to allow flexibility and debate. The object of the present report is to provide a faithful (but not exhaustive) record of thepresentations and the debates to which the meeting gave rise. The programme and the list of delegates are provided in annex." (Page 1) more