The 2013 SEEP
Annual Conference
will take place
November 4-7, 2013
SEEP would like to thank Citi as a sponsor of the 2013 Conference
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2013 SEEP Annual Conference
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
November 4-7, 2013!
If you have questions about the conference, please contact us!
Submit a Workshop Proposal
SEEP Annual Conference 2013
Partnerships and Cross-Sector Approaches
Set the Agenda | How to Apply| Selection Criteria | Timeline | Application Form (Word Doc)
Large-scale change requires collaboration. Economic development practitioners, irrespective of their sector or organization, are seeking to break from traditional mindsets concerning the roles and boundaries of their interventions. Sustainable change can be achieved by embracing approaches that focus on optimizing outcomes across sectors and throughout an entire system.
SEEP’s 2013 Annual Conference will serve as a platform to promote learning and exchange around high-potential opportunities, exploring questions such as: How can the still latent power of partnerships with public, private and civil society stakeholders be harnessed for greater development impact? How can development practitioners collaborate more effectively across finance, enterprise and market development sectors to achieve greater and more sustainable results? How can we design delivery systems to improve outcomes in health, the environment, livelihoods, housing, and food security? How can better coordination and cross-organizational learning contribute to building more inclusive market systems and societies that benefit marginalized communities and households?
We expressly invite proposals from members for sessions that reflect the Conference’s general theme of partnerships and cross sector approaches. Based on member response, we will select up to 5 technical tracks. Potential focus areas may include:
- Impact investing – How can market development and finance practitioners partner with investors to advance the growth of inclusive value chains, social enterprises and multi-product MFIs?
- Leveraging technology and mobile communications –How can MFIs, banks, postal systems and development organizations partner with telecommunications companies to deliver financial products, market information and extension services that enhance the capacities of low income households to build and protect assets, access services and engage in markets?
- Youth finance and youth serving organizations- What are the experiences of youth serving organizations in linking with market development and financial service providers to improve outcomes for youth?
- Agricultural value chain finance and development – How can market development and financial services practitioners collaborate to promote the growth of agricultural value chains through more appropriate services and partnerships that benefit disadvantaged households?
- Markets for health – What are the lessons learned in improving health related outcomes through cross sector approaches that increase access and strengthen health services and systems?
- Responsible finance- What partnership models and collaborations are most effective in building inclusive financial systems that protect clients?
- Economic strengthening for the ultra-poor – How can economic strengthening activities complement and reinforce efforts to improve health (including HIV/AIDS care), nutrition and food security? What are effective techniques for forging cross-sector partnerships?
- Facilitating partnerships – What roles, skills and capacities are needed to facilitate the formation of sustainable, market-based partnerships? What lessons have been learned about structuring and managing these partnerships? What are the risks?
Member organizations drive the development of the SEEP Network Annual Conference agenda creating a unique and valuable learning experience. Conference themes and tracks are based on member experiences and SEEP learning initiatives, with the goal of promoting successful innovations, best practices, strategies, and tools.
SEEP Members are invited to submit proposals to organize and chair a workshop session at the SEEP Annual Conference 2013. As a Workshop Chair, you will have the opportunity to provide thought leadership on critical issues that impact our work.
The deadline for the submission of workshop proposals is 5:00 pm EDT on Monday, July 8th. Completed proposals must be submitted to Alison Yost (yost@seepnetwork.org). SEEP’s Annual Conference Committee will review all workshop proposals and select those that best meet the criteria outlined later in this document.
HOW TO SUBMIT A WORKSHOP PROPOSAL
Only SEEP Network members in good standing may submit a workshop proposal. The individual who submits the proposal is the workshop Chair and is ultimately responsible for the planning and execution of the workshop and may also serve as a panelists or moderator. Conference organizers reserve the right to work with workshop Chairs to improve session quality which may include suggesting adjustments to methodology and content or selection of panelists, or moderator.
Non-SEEP members may serve as panelists. Panelists could be representatives of research organizations, the private sector, donors, or investors. There may be no more than 4 panelists per workshop (including the moderator). As you develop your proposal, you may either reach out to the SEEP track coordinators to seek input on potential panelists, or work with the SEEP Annual Conference Advisory Committee after your proposal has been accepted to identify additional panelists who could add value to the session.
Each workshop will be assigned a 90 minute slot on either Wednesday, November 6th or Thursday, November 7th. To submit a workshop proposal, the Workshop Chair must complete the form at the end of this document. All forms need be submitted by 5 PM EDT on July 8th for the proposal to be considered.
All submissions will be reviewed by the Annual Conference Advisory Committee, comprised of SEEP Members, other key industry stakeholders, and SEEP staff. The proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
1) Opportunity for learning
Workshop sessions should be focused on addressing the most pressing challenges within a given technical track. Content should be centered on key learning questions that are potentially applicable to a broad audience. Proposals should provide convincing insight into specific problems and their respective solutions drawing lessons that can influence practice.
2) Proven practice
Workshops should feature experiences that are highly replicable identifying essential skills, capacities, and conditions. Lessons drawn should be transferable to a variety of contexts, demonstrate both success and failures when applicable, and includes use of strong data-driven evidence.
3) Diversity of perspectives
The Workshop Chair should seek to build a panel that provides a rich variety of perspectives. Generally this requires drawing from the experience of more than one organization. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate individuals involved in direct implementation. Panelists may include representatives from non-SEEP members. This may include representatives of research organizations, from the private sector, donors, or investors.
4) Learning methodology
Preference will be given to workshop formats that break the mold of simple panel discussions to better engage participants and trigger critical thinking. This may include debate formats, small group activities, or other formats that involve creating an engaging learning environment for attendees.
5) Contribution to conference theme
Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to support a strong and coherent learning agenda for the conference.
Important Notes
- SEEP members may submit multiple workshop proposals for consideration.
- Each proposal must be submitted separately, and please ensure each proposal meets the criteria described in this document.
- When thinking of your session methodology, please allow time for discussion and engagement with the audience.
- SEEP will notify you when the submission has been received.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSION
Please send complete session proposals via email to:
Alison Yost (yost@seepnetwork.org)
Learn more and download the proposal form.
|
Launch of Call for Proposals |
May 21st |
|
Deadline for Proposal Submissions |
July 8th |
|
Review of Proposal Submissions |
July 8thth –July 29th |
|
Notification of Selected Proposals (with clarifications) |
August 2nd |
|
Confirmation and Registration Deadline for Invited Presenters |
September 3rd |
|
Final Presentations and Session Material Due |
October 18th |
NEXT STEPS FOR SELECTED WORKSHOPS
Workshop Chairs for selected workshops will be contacted by SEEP. You will be given workshop guidelines which include important information on dates, policies and tips for good workshops. Also, you will be asked to complete a brief online form to provide biographical information and consent on SEEP’s speaker policies.
Workshop Chairs are required to organize at least one conference call or meeting with their session contributors prior to the conference. This call should introduce all panelists to each other and each speaker’s subject matter. The Workshop Chair should also reiterate the workshop guidelines provided by SEEP to all panelists.
