History

The Sustainable Development Communications Network (SDCN) grew out of Spinning the Web, a project that started in August 1996 as a joint effort between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The intention was to create a global network of leading organizations to make more sustainable development information available via the Internet. The Network's collective scope of research expertise and communications capacity captured the many facets of sustainable development and increased the exposure of content from underrepresented regions of the world.

Phase I (1996-1998)

Between 1996 and 1998, participating organizations improved their web products and services and began to share their knowledge about effective Internet use. The principal product was the SD Gateway, which was designed to integrate the online information from all of the members as well as to provide links to other key resources. Sharing knowledge and experience enhanced the capacity of all members with many existing initiatives benefiting as a result. In addition, the network benefited from dealing with the challenges of working virtually using collaborative tools such as a private mailing list (listserv) and a password protected members' site.

Although most work together has been completed using e-mail and the Internet, face-to-face meetings have been important. The first face-to-face meeting of Network members was in 1997 at the Global Knowledge conference in Toronto, Canada. Subsequent meetings have rotated among different members with Internet videoconferencing being used on two occasions to involve members who could not attend in person.

Over the first two years, the project evolved from an informal to a formal network. In May 1998, members developed a formal agreement to provide the structure for future cooperation, becoming the Spinning the Web Network.

Phase II (1999-2000)

During 1999, the focus shifted from the very broad scope of sustainability to Sustainable Livelihoods and EcoLegis (environmental law databases), two collaborative projects undertaken by members. The success of these collaborative efforts helped to re-orient the focus of the network from general to specific topics and from a strong emphasis on the Internet to the better integration of electronic communications with more traditional media.

In October 1999, the Network formally refined its focus and changed its name to the Sustainable Development Communications Network. At this point, membership categories were refined and expanded to define the role of funders more precisely and to expand the network through associate and affiliate membership. In addition, the Network expanded its collaborative projects for 1999/2000 to include sustainable livelihoods, sustainable cities, public participation in decision-making and water.

Throughout 2000, the SDCN grappled with how to find a balance between undertaking collaborative substantive projects and building the capacity of additional civil society organizations to do likewise. Our research and experience indicated that knowledge networks required careful expansion and a clear focus on results by all members. The teaming of new associate members with older members for capacity-building purposes also reinforced the need for relationship building throughout the network.

In anticipation of the end of core network funding at the end of Phase II, the Network revised its governance agreement in December 2000 to more closely link membership with active participation in network projects.

Phase III (2001-2003)

In Phase III of the SDCN, member organizations will build upon existing joint products and services to better serve the needs of sustainable development decision-makers around the world. With a more flexible membership structure and capacity-building projects, we will invite additional civil society organizations to learn with us how to better manage virtual teams and to communicate effectively with decision-makers.