Workshops Effective Partnership Management and Leadership Andrew McCoshan, ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd Key Issues: It is ironic that partnerships seems to use the vocabulary of traditional fixed structures and hierarchies, while their great strength lies in their fluidity and flexibility, with fewer rigid boundaries and a greater role for networking. The workshop underlined the value to Learning Partnerships of engaging in 'self reflection' and increasing their self awareness. (Andrew used the analogy of an arranged marriage with pre-nuptial agreements that included the management of divorce if necessary, rather than a romantic union.) In considering whether partnerships were in the category of young or mature/developing, it was felt that the strategy and philosophy of the developing stage was out of step with partnerhship culture and funding. Most of those present in the workshop felt their partnerships were at the young stage. Role of Partnership Coordinator to challenge where there is comfort; to lead where there is stagnation; to manage where there is confusion; to praise where the is achievement. (Taken from conference 'graffiti board')