Moving policy forward through collaborative practice

The workshop brought together over 50 representatives from the voluntary sector and federal departments to share lessons learned with respect to collaboration in the policy development process, and to identify concrete strategies for sharing these lessons and facilitating voluntary sector and government collaboration. [...] In summary, at the policy development level, there appears to be an emerging understanding of the nature of collaboration and its relationship to partnering and the need for horizontal governance. [...] The understanding of why we need to coordinate and collaborate is an evolving notion – but in essence it is about governance – the mobilization of both public policy levers and the knowledge of the voluntary sector and other stakeholders for society’s well being. [...] Interviewees spoke about the time required to both define the parameters of the relationship and develop the relationships required to make the project work. [...] There is a need for change in style and commitment from leadership in government and the voluntary sector all the way up to the highest levels.