When I first began to support the development of open societies in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, there was little international presence in the region, and the local sector of non-governmental organizations was still in its infancy. At that time, the foundations I established often had no choice but to forge out on their own, with little collaboration with others. Today, we find ourselves in a somewhat changed environment. Many countries in which the network operates have opened up to large international development programs. At the same time, the local third sector is emerging.

With these developments in mind, I encourage the foundations and programs in the network to seek out collaborative partnerships with other organizations. This is important for both practical and philosophical reasons. On the one hand, large as they may be, my resources are limited. To ensure that the network and its programs continue as sustainable operations, it is important that we take advantage of all available resources. Philosophically, partnership is a logical interpretation of the idea that no one individual or organization has a monopoly on the truth. It can only be to our benefit to work with others and to learn from one another's perspectives, mistakes, and successes.

George Soros
June 1997