Tanzania establishes country-based network for former Norec exchange participants

In late September, 24 Norec Network members gathered in Dar es Salaam to establish Norec Network Tanzania. Over two days, they shared experiences, connected across different professional fields and discussed what they want to achieve together.

For Aneth Benward Nziku, meeting the other participants gave her a new perspective on her own work.

“This is bigger than me. When you are in your own space, you can feel like you are doing something big. But then you meet all these people and see what they have achieved. It gives you new ambitions and inspires you to do even more,” says Nziku.

The expertise in the room

The 24 participants came from a wide range of professional backgrounds and brought very different experiences to the network.

Emmanuel Kihaule was elected Chairperson of the new network. With a background in communications, law and media, he has more than 15 years of experience working with international organisations and institutions in Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

For Kihaule, the diversity among the members is one of the network’s greatest strengths.

“It has been inspiring to see how much expertise there is in this group. We have experts in health, government, climate, energy and communications, as well as business leaders and people working within the UN system. It is this knowledge and experience that can make the network strong and relevant,” says Kihaule.

From ideas to action

The work to establish a country-based network in Tanzania began before the gathering in Dar es Salaam.

Elizabeth Zahabu works in communications, advocacy, community engagement and public health, and was involved in the early discussions about establishing a network for former Norec exchange participants in Tanzania. At the gathering, she was elected to the board with responsibility for communications.

“I am really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve as a network – the activities we can create, what we can mean to each other, and how we can turn the ideas we have developed together into reality,” says Zahabu.
The participants also elected the first board of Norec Network Tanzania.

Emmanuel Kihaule was elected Chairperson, Jackline Chami will be responsible for Finance and Partnerships, Elizabeth Zahabu for Communication, Reuben Chacha will serve as National Coordinator, Elibariki Yerald Tweve will be responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation, Catherine Isaack will serve as Event Coordinator, and George Ndenga as Committee Member.

The members themselves will now take the work forward and shape the activities and direction of the network.

Opening new doors

The network can also give members access to opportunities and connections beyond Norec.

Lisa Sivertsen, Counsellor for Governance at the Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania, joined the gathering. She highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchange in international cooperation.

The Embassy already manages AlTaNo – Alumni Tanzania Norway – a network for people with ties to both Tanzania and Norway. With the establishment of Norec Network Tanzania, there are now two networks that can benefit from closer connections.

Norec Network members may, for example, take part in relevant events at the Embassy, connect with AlTaNo members and meet other potential partners.

“Now we have two networks in Tanzania. We need to look at how we can use them together and create strong connections between them,” says Sivertsen.

More country-based networks will be established

Norec Network was established in 2023 to connect former exchange participants and provide a platform for continued contact, knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Tanzania is the fifth country to establish its own country-based network, following Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and Zambia. Country-based networks will also be established in Nepal and Bangladesh later this autumn.

For Kihaule, the large number of former Norec exchange participants in Tanzania represents significant potential for the network.

“804 Tanzanians have taken part in Norec exchanges, while 238 are members of the network today. That means there are still many people we can reach. I hope we can bring more of them into the network and make use of all the knowledge and experience that exists among former participants,” says Kihaule.