Twinning

Since the movement was created, solidarity links have gradually been forged between groups in Western Europe and groups in Eastern Europe and the South.

This form of inter-group solidarity- which is known as twinning – is based on the concept of an exchange. This is not simply an exchange of people but rather an exchange with people. These exchanges take many forms: cultural exchanges, exchanges of skills, exchanges of information and opinions, exchanges of equipment and financial resources and friendship exchanges.

The aim is to understand the many differences between the movement’s stakeholders in order to facilitate communication between them and improve the quality of initiatives and services provided by each group.

The importance of having a framework for these links

While twinning should be encouraged as it fits with the movement’s philosophy, it does nevertheless need a practical framework.
In 2007, the Sarajevo World Assembly therefore requested that a “good practice” guide should be produced, reminding those involved in these partnerships about certain vital recommendations, so as to ensure the success of twinning partnerships.

This guide will be published shortly. It will list a set of conditions that must be fulfilled before the partnership gets underway and the procedures for setting-up and running the partnership.
In particular, these recommendations include the requirement to inform and obtain the approval of the relevant regional organisations.