A summary of our workshop with Maura James, 17 October 2024
A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of individuals who share a common interest or passion and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. In AWoN’s case, the shared interest is supporting people on the move. The aim of a CoP is to foster continuous learning and improvement, allowing practitioners to share knowledge, reflect on their experiences, and refine their approach. This concept is particularly useful in complex and dynamic environments like the ones we work in, where flexibility, collaboration, and learning are crucial.
Why AWoN needs a Community of Practice
During the event, we recognised that the very nature of AWoN—its diverse membership spread across multiple countries and contexts—presents a unique opportunity and already contains CoP elements. AWoN’s members are practitioners bringing their own lived expertise to a community of committed professionals. Sharing these practices will not only strengthen already existing bonds within the network, it will also contribute to the domain of supporting people on the move. Sharing deeply about challenges, dilemmas, and opportunities facing practitioners across the continent will allow members to see patterns, hone emerging practice, and navigate complexity together, professionalising their responses. .
As Helena, one of the participants, insightfully put it: “We are a blessed mess. There are all kinds of people and all levels of support for each other. I think it’s great to have different levels and layers.” This blend of perspectives enriches the CoP by ensuring that learning and exchange happen across a broad spectrum of experiences.
Research and storytelling: Documenting our journey
Another key theme that emerged was the idea of documenting and preserving the collective knowledge and stories generated within the CoP. Maura emphasised that while formal research methodologies have their place, communities of practice can also produce valuable insights that don’t necessarily need to adhere to academic standards.
She noted, “Not everything we do needs to meet the same standards as a peer-reviewed publication. Sometimes, a single story can be so powerful from a practice point of view that it needs to be documented, even if it never becomes public.” This reflects AWoN’s broader mission of amplifying voices that may otherwise go unheard, and ensuring that these stories contribute to our collective understanding.
Helena further highlighted the importance of preserving these narratives, stating, “Everything we do is writing history… the story of AWoN is the story of people, and we need to keep that safe for the next generation.” This speaks to the legacy we are building as a network and the need to create systems for capturing and sharing this knowledge—whether through formal research, storytelling, or lived experiences.
Moving forward: What’s next for AWoN’s Community of Practice?
As we look ahead, the next steps for AWoN’s Community of Practice involve defining its structure, purpose, and boundaries. Maura left us with an important reminder that “The boundaries of the network and the community of practice need to remain fluid enough to work in complexity, but also formal enough to meet the needs of all the individuals who are participating.” Striking this balance will allow us to create a space where members can engage at different levels, whether it’s for personal growth, professional collaboration, or collective action.
Ultimately, the power of a CoP lies in its ability to adapt to the needs of its members while fostering a shared commitment to learning and improvement. As AWoN members, we now have the opportunity to harness this concept and make it our own, using the network not just to connect but to build, grow, and deepen our impact.
As Rikko beautifully put it in closing, “Use the network, because it’s yours.” Now, it’s up to all of us to embrace the potential of a Community of Practice and use it to enhance our work supporting people on the move.
Stay tuned as we continue to shape this journey together and explore the many ways we can learn from and support each other in AWoN’s evolving Community of Practice.
