Table 3 Lessons learned for building cross-border cooperation
From: Building cooperation through health initiatives: an Arab and Israeli case study
| Would do the Same |
|---|
| • Identify a common problem (health condition) and seize the opportunity |
| • Identify committed partners and bring them together |
| • Stay positive and keep people in the network |
| • Maintain symmetry in involvement of all partners |
| • Produce tangible and visible results |
| Would do Differently |
| • Build an administrative infrastructure |
| • Establish a firm financial basis |
| • Include policy makers in the network |
| • Keep all the partners in the loop and use their services |
| Critical Events |
| • Involvement of Jordanian Royal Court |
| Invitation in 1994 from the late King Hussein to build cross-border initiatives Prince Firas as the Patron of MEHA |
| • Steering Committee meetings in the region |
| "Attending meetings showed that people can work together regardless of the problems in the region." (P2" |
| • Opening of MEHA Regional Center in Amman, Jordan |
| "It is a regional Center and a Regional NGO and it is in Jordan. It is very crucial ... seeing is believing." (P8) |
| To Ensure Future Success |
| • Enhance peer recognition through research, publications and scientific meetings |
| • Expand the network |
| • Establish better human resources and organizational infrastructure |
| • Secure stable funding |
| • Educate the public about aim and accomplishments |