In 1996, Steering Committee members met and evaluated GROOTS' seven years and agreed the network had: helped increase the respect and recognition for their local work, connected them to groups with similar goals (in and outside their region), and exposed them to information, support, and resources that reduced isolation and expanded longer term opportunities for their groups and networks. A decisi
on was also taken to shift GROOTS' international networking approach from regionally-centred organizing (appropriate for global conferences) to inter-regional cooperation on specific programs (which strengthen capacity and relationship building). The priority issues, relevant today, are summarized in the Network Focus section, and the networking methods chosen include: peer learning exchanges, documentation, leadership support, group-group technical assistance, as well as ongoing regional communication and workshops.
