ASHA Partner Strategy Meeting Summary and Lessons Learned

The meetings allowed ASHA to introduce its strategy initiative, learn its partners' goals and expectations, and begin assessing how ASHA can measure its impact. A total of 30 organizations were represented at one of the two meetings, which had identical agendas and objectives. The agenda for the meetings, the presentation used by ASHA staff, and detailed minutes are included in the provided documentation. Throughout the discussions, facilitated by ASHA staff, participants produced a list of consensus goals and expectations for ASHA's strategy, suggestions for operational improvements in ASHA's business processes, and an illustrative list of ideas and practices of the United States. These outputs are also included in the provided documentation. Key themes emerged as priorities for ASHA's partners, including greater policy and operational stability at ASHA, greater alignment of ASHA's public diplomacy mandate with its character as a global development agency, better communication, and simplified and more transparent requirements, policies, and procedures. Partners also emphasized the need for models and templates to support partnerships with ASHA, more coordination with USAID Missions, and opportunities to share knowledge and best practices with other ASHA partners. ASHA is producing a complete draft of its strategy, which will incorporate the lessons learned and input from other stakeholders. The draft will be shared widely prior to the completion of a final strategy in early 2014. Partners and other stakeholders are welcome to continue providing their thoughts to ASHA. The ASHA strategy will aim to address the key themes and priorities identified by its partners, with the goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the ASHA program. The ASHA strategy will focus on enhancing policy and operational stability, aligning its public diplomacy mandate with its global development agency character, improving communication, and simplifying and streamlining its requirements, policies, and procedures. The strategy will also aim to promote partnerships with ASHA, facilitate connections with USAID Missions, and provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and best practices among ASHA partners. By incorporating the lessons learned from the partner strategy meeting, the ASHA strategy will be better equipped to address the needs and priorities of its partners and stakeholders.