Tom Wolff spoke about partnerships and collaborative solutions as sparks and catalysts for social change and innovation, at the EQUAL conference Powering a New Future. He said he understood collaboration to be doing together that which you cannot do apart". A more formal definition is:A collaboration is a group of individuals and organisations with a common interest who agree to work together to a common goal.The advantage of collaboration is that agencies can provide a rounded solution to problems - but in order to achieve that we need to bring to the table everyone who has a part to play, including those who would benefit. Tom offered six principles of collaborationEngage a broad spectrum of the communityPractice true collaboration. This involved going beyond networking (talking to each other); coordination (modified activities); and cooperation (sharing resources). Collaboration occurred when you aimed to enhance the capacity of others involved.Practice democracy, so that decisions are made by the group as a wholeEmploy an ecological approach, looking at the strengths and weaknesses in the communityTake action - you can't achieve change just by sitting talkingAlign your goals and the process. For example, if you wish to develop a respectful community, you can't achieve that by disrespectful leaderships.Overall, research shows that successful collaborations require a clear vision; actions to get to your goals; broad leadership within the group, not just one leader; technical assistance; resources and also being prepared to work with conflict, not avoid it.More on the conference at http://blog.poweringanewfuture.org/ Less