(EID-017) “THE POWER OF CONVERGENCE”

The term convergence is now popularly used in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) but it is also applicable to the coming together of forces and resources that are directed towards a common goal, such as the development of products and the development of national economies.

We are happy to note that there are several government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations that are providing production, financing, marketing and management assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) but we are nonetheless saddened by the fact that the provision of these four services seldom converge.

The creation of the Roster of Scientists, Inventors and Engineers (ROSIE) could bring good news to the SMEs, because there is now a clearing house for the delivery of these services in a convergent manner, as the government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations would also be encouraged to make use of ROSIE.

Hopefully, ROSIE could also be a tool for the government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations to converge their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Civic Duty Exercise (CDE) programs and projects that are oriented towards various development concerns, including poverty reduction and hunger mitigation.

Just like ROSIE, the Inter-Charity Network (ICN) is also intended to be a clearing house for the convergence of charity providers on one hand, and charity beneficiaries on the other hand. The providers in this case are no other than the government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations, while the beneficiaries are all types of organizations that are hosting or sponsoring charitable programs and projects.

As a general rule, ICN will be a clearing house for all forms of charitable activities, but as an operational strategy, it is the lead organization of the United National Integrated Development Alliance (UNIDA) for the delivery of shelter and livelihood programs beneficiary communities.

As resources would allow, ICN would get involved in activities that would fall under the ambit of poverty alleviation. As a long term goal however, it is more oriented towards the more lasting poverty reduction interventions. It would be good if more people could have their own homes, but as an alternative, rented dwellings would be good enough for them.