Landenteam

A short explanation on what the countryteam is.

The country team, is a team of people that are involved with policy regarding a specific country in this case Rwanda and Burundi. They came here to assist with the writing of a multi annual strategy plan. In saying that, I don't think even a letter got on paper, it was only talking. The first two days were for Rwanda. I was there for the first hour, luckily I was excused after that. The third day we planned the morning for Burundi. Smaller team and less programmes, so we thought it could be a quick session. Unfortunately we first have to say that we are writing a plan and should think about priorities and not mention details and should not forget the most important issues and the small things can be important, but mostly are not, so we have to agree that we do it in such a way that the important things get priority and the smaller thing get a lower priority, we can mention the smaller things, but the priority is lower.....

Luckily there was plenty of coffee, I set a record!

So, we decided on above mentioned. Then someone, who shall not be mentioned, said we should not forget about programme x and y and z. Apparently she too had been sleeping, a strategy plan is not mentioning specific programmes. Unfortunately we let her talk, and the 'speaker' told her in a roundabout way that her imput was ...... So at 13.45 we decided that the morning was not long enough and we needed another hour after lunch.

If it was me it was much quicker: Burundi - fragile state - take weapons away - give support in the form of money and training. END. We all knew this, but thing had to be said.

Sorry, dinner time now.