There is a continuing debate about partnerships. The contribution they make to sustainable
development has remained in the policy spotlight. With increasing experience, however, the tenor of
discussion has changed. No longer is the focus on whether we can or should engage in partnerships,
but on 'when' and 'how to'. When and under what conditions are partnerships the appropriate tool
for addressing sustainable development and how can they best be managed to generate maximum
impact?
This first issue of the Partnership Report makes a contribution to this evolving debate using the
progress and setbacks experienced by the 'Seed partnerships'. These partnerships —the five winners and 70
award applicants who responded to a survey—shed light on critical questions for partnerships: How
likely are partnerships to achieve impact in sustainable development? What role does local ownership
play in the work of partnerships? What business models are these partnerships based upon? What are
their strengths and weaknesses in planning and management? And what can be done to enhance the
chances of success of locally driven partnerships?
The Seed initiative is inspiring fresh thinking and innovative practices around the
important partnership agenda. This report demonstrates the benefits of its unique
approach: Combining hands on learning by doing with great analytical clarity and a
dedication to learn from experiences made.
I believe that this report will greatly contribute to make partnerships more effective
and impactful while at the same time advancing understanding about their very
nature.
Georg Kell, Executive Head, United Nations Global Compact
The Partnership Report is a welcome contribution to our understanding about the
role that different actors—and particularly business—can play in implementing the
Millennium Development Goals. Backed up by a wealth of empirical material and
drawn together with analytical clarity, this report is a powerful statement about the
value of locally driven partnerships and makes compelling policy recommendations.
Monika Wulf-Mathies, Managing Director Corporate Public Policy and Sustainability,
Deutsche Post AG |
