U.S. Department of State Global Partnership Initiative
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On April 22, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, told the Global Philanthropy Forum that “the State Department is opening its doors to a new generation of public-private partnerships” with foundations, businesses, non-governmental organizations, universities, and faith communities through her new Global Partnership Initiative. Secretary Clinton has called for the United States to “lead by inducing greater cooperation among a greater number of actors and reducing competition, tilting the balance away from a multi-polar world and toward a multi-partner world,” as she described at the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Global Partnership Initiative, located in the Office of the Secretary of State, is being led by the Acting Special Representative and Deputy Special Representative for Global Partnerships Thomas Debass. Under the leadership of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Department of State has entered into new era of partnerships in American foreign policy, with a more comprehensive approach to diplomacy, development, and defense. Through the Global Partnership Initiative, the Department of State is developing strategic partnerships with private businesses, philanthropies, universities, faith communities, Diaspora groups, and individuals.
Background
As late as 1969, 70% of U.S. resource flows to the developing world took the form of Official Development Assistance. However, by 2005, 80% of U.S. resource flows to the developing world came from private capital. While resources are becoming more scarce relative to increasing demand, the private sector role in the international arena is increasing, making partnerships essential.
| 1960s | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Flows | 68% | 16.8% |
| Private Flows | 29% | 83.2% |
- Conservative estimates of resource flows to the developing world show that they have increased by nearly $52 billion in the last two years, reaching approximately $164 billion in 2005.
- U.S. FDI/Private Capital Flows and Remittances account for the largest categories of flows (at 42.1 percent and 25 percent, respectively).
- Official Development Assistance (ODA) makes up the third largest category of flows with approximately 17 percent of the total. While the share of ODA has shrunk over the past twenty-five years, the total value has grown at an average annual rate of 5.5 percent, from $7.14 billion in 1980 to $27.6 billion in 2005.
Partnership definition
The Department defines a partnership as a collaborative working relationship with non-governmental partners in which the goals, structure and governance, as well as roles and responsibilities, are mutually determined and decision-making is shared. Successful partnerships are characterized by complementary equities, openness and transparency, mutual benefit, shared risks and rewards, and accountability.
The Three C's
Through the Global Partnership Initiative, the Department of State acts as
A convener, bringing together people from across regions and sectors to work together on issues of common interest.
A catalyst, launching new projects, actively seeking new solutions, providing vital training and technical assistance to facilitate additional projects.
A collaborator, working closely with our partners to plan and implement projects – avoiding duplication, learning from each other, maximizing our impact by looking for best practices.
Types of partnerships
Potential partners can include U.S. and foreign government agencies, UN organizations, international/regional finance institutions, donor agencies, academic institutions, religious organizations, foundations, multinational corporations and other businesses, trade associations, unions, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and individual major donors or investors.
U.S. Department of State public-private partnerships (PPP) assist in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, education and training, improve access to potable water, advance public diplomacy, counter radical extremism, and enhance national security, among other applications.
The State Department’s partnerships includes activities targeting:
- Energy policy and climate change
- The fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa
- Economic policy and trade promotion
- Educational and cultural exchanges
- Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility abroad
- Human rights and labor issues
- Security and counter-terrorism
- Population and refugee resettlement
- Democracy promotion
- Volunteerism and interfaith service
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
State Department Partnership Case Studies
- Global Connections and Exchange Program in Azerbaijan
- FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women's Mentoring Partnership
- US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research
- English Access Microscholarship Program
- The Landmarks of New York in Tokyo
- 2008 Breast Cancer Global Congress
Global Partnership Initiative Flagships
S/GPI has four flagship initiatives:
- Accelerating Market-Driven Partnerships (AMP) is a public-private partnership that seeks to unlock unprecedented economic value while delivering positive social and environmental impact. Website
- Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private initiative to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and combat climate change by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. Website
- International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) provides a platform for diaspora communities to promote diplomacy and development in countries of heritage by forging partnerships around trade and investment, volunteerism, philanthropy, and innovation. Website
- Partners for a New Beginning (PNB) is a platform designed to promote public-private partnerships that create economic opportunity, foster advances in science and technology, enhance educational opportunities and catalyze exchange programs. Website
References
- Global Partnership Initiative Website
- Swearing In Ceremony for Kris Balderston
- 2012 Global Diaspora Forum
- Global Impact Economy Forum
- Partners for a New Beginning
- Tunisia Partnerships Forum
- The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
- USAID Resource Flows Diagram
- Global Philanthropy Forum Speech
- Global Business Coalition Speech
- Ambassador Bagley's Swearing In Remarks
- Guide to Partnering with State
- Partnership Case Studies
- TED@State Opening Remarks
- TED@State White House Blog
- Council on Foreign Relations Speech
