CIRAC

topWhat is CIRAC?

CIRAC is the International Reflect Circle, a network of Reflect practitioners from around the world. The network aims to promote further learning and exchange between people and organisations working with Reflect. This is done through various means including: First global Reflect meeting in India

The structure of the network aims to reflect Reflect principles through creating a democratic space and using Reflect techniques to analyse our power and its implications. The same structure prevails for the CIRAC meetings where new developments and key issues in Reflect are discussed and analysed.

CIRAC Secretariat

Pamoja (Africa Reflect Network), who are based in Uganda, are currently playing the CIRAC secretariat role. The secretariat role will rotate every 2 years to different regions. The secretariat receives work-plans/guidelines from the CIRAC Coordination Team (CCT). There is open communication between the secretariat and the CCT. The secretariat reports to the CCT every 2 months. The secretariat can propose new ideas to the CCT, which will be decided on following the agreed decision-making formula. The secretariat is accountable to the CCT for its work/time. Contact the secretariat.

CIRAC Coordination Team (CCT)

At the CIRAC 4 meeting in Bangladesh in 2004 the power dynamics in the international Reflect network were changed dramatically. For the first time the CIRAC coordination team (CCT) became something more than a team that planned CIRAC meetings. It is now a team responsible, in between CIRAC meetings, for decision making in CIRAC, for following-up the decisions taken at the CIRAC meeting, and for managing the CIRAC secretariat - currently based in Pamoja, the Africa Reflect Network, in Uganda.. The CCT consists of two members from each region. They take decisions affecting the functioning of CIRAC throughout the year, and play a leading role in ensuring CIRAC evolves and strengthens

Role of the CCT
The CCT is responsible to react to issues raised within CIRAC, and through this develop a work-plan for the secretariat - monitoring its implication. In addition to this the CCT may assist with and approve publications, support the development of the CIRAC website, raise the profile of CIRAC and facilitate decision-making as to who represents CIRAC at international events. The CCT also takes decisions on the CIRAC budget, and follows up on CIRAC resolutions ensuring their implementation. These decisions are made in a participatory way - with extensive consultation with the regions.

How the CCT works
The CCT communicate using both Spanish and English (all CCT members are comfortable communicating in at least one of these languages). A principle of mutual accountability is used. The CCT is accountable to:
§ the CIRAC network,
§ to the regions,
§ to each other.
§ It will also be accountable to funders if money is raised,
§ It is accountable to the secretariat (ie to give them direction/information for work, and respond to emails/communication).
§ each individually accountable for any assignment taken on.
§ accountable as a region for any assignment taken on as a region
The CCT communicate regularly with each other by email, have face to face meetings (initially every 6 months) and have a small budget for teleconferences.

Getting involved
CCT members are accountable to their regions, if you would like to have more information about what your representative has been up to please contact them! Or if you would like to know more about the secretariat please contact us directly. Please look at the reports from the CIRAC meetings, in 2004 in Bangladesh, 2002 in Brazil, 2001 in South Africa, and in 2000 in UK for more information.

Who are the CCT? Current members 2005
Africa:
Elijah Otiende (Kenya): ambo@email.com
Maria Nandago (Uganda): pamoja@infocom.co.ug

Asia:
Ahman Masoud Tokhi (Afghanistan): masoud@actionaidafg.org
Shafique Isla (Bangladesh): fptglobal@yahoo.com

Europe:
Anne Loontjens (Belgium): anneloontjens@belgacom.net or anne.loontjens@collectif-alpha.be
Nicola Foroni (Basque Country): arantza@euskalnet.net

Latin America
Gaby Barriga (Bolivia): redrabolivia@extremate.com or g_barriga@unete.com
Central America - To be determined

See also:

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