Abstract:

Strategic networking of individuals, groups, organisations or states becomes more and more important as a way of coping with complex societal problems. New forms of governance and alliances have emerged to handle these challenges within (world) society.
Cooperation in the form of networks between organisations can be seen as a reaction to complexity and chaos. At the same time these networks are complex formations themselves and little research has been done on their procesual quality. At least it has been recognized that the direct control of networks has its limitations.
Recently in the field of development cooperation, the strategy of networking of local partner organisations is being promoted, whereby transnational development agencies see themselves as initiators and moderators of relations between civil society organisations. In Latin America, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have gained considerable influence over the last two decades.  Their initiatives often replace the functions of governmental structures, which are not being provided by the state in these regions.
Centre to the project is a qualitative study of the praxis of transnational networking by NGOs in Latin America, focusing on a case study of the development program of a European NGO.

Research Interests:

• Transnational social work / social support
• Inter-organisational networks
• NGOs and transnational civil society
• Development politics / development cooperation

Curriculum Vitae:

• Since 06/2008: scholarship holder at the Research Training Group ‘Transnational social support’,  University of Hildesheim
• 02/2008: completed degree (German Diploma) in Social Work / Social Pedagogy, thesis on “Transnational Social Work”
• 09/2006 to 02/2007: internship at Caritas international (Germany), in Lima, Peru and Fundación Procrear in Bogotá, Colombia; INWENT scholarship holder
• 2003 to 2008: under- and postgraduate studies in Social Work / Social Pedagogy at Alice Salomon University Berlin; student assistant for press and public relations
• 2001 to 2002: recipient of EU sponsored funding for further education and internship in a cultural centre in San Sebastian, Spain
• 2000 to 2001: Vocational Baccalaureat Diploma in Economics 
• 1996 to 2000: employee in international companies in Berlin
• 1994 to 1996: professional training as commercial assistant, focal point: foreign languages