Ideas y prácticas de comunicación en cuatro alianzas multisectoriales en Cali (Colombia), 2012-2017

Multi-sector alliances intended to cope with complex social problems are a well-established area of the institutional function and study. However, the analyses on communication in relation to these dynamics are infrequent and belong to broad assortment of topic dealing with the multi-sector phenomenon. Four cases from Cali (Colombia) during 2012-2017 are characterized and compared herein, putting emphasis on the communication ideas and practices observed in interviews and secondary sources. A multi-dimensional analytical model is used and includes the following topics: the participants, leadership, objective alignment, institutionalization, how to face the change, a sense of connection, symbolic management, participation, conceptual perspectives, force relationships, communication management, equity when drawing the attention to the achievements, value generation, and adoption of foreign theories. Communication is a highly estimated practice, with a pragmatic, informative and participatory intent, but it is also an implicit dimension of collaboration.