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Partnerships for Smart Diplomacy

Interagency Policy Seminar

Foreign Service Institute, 12 May 2010

US Department of State

Opening Keynote

Amir Dossal

Executive Director

The UN Office for The UN Office for PartnershipsPartnerships

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Partnerships in the United Nations System

UN system has been partnering with the private sector and civil society for over 60 years.

The last decade has seen a surge in interest from non-state actors to support UN causes.

Partnerships have:

– Increased in number

– Increased in significance

– Increased in scope

“Addressing global challenges requires a collective and concerted effort, involving all actors. Through partnerships and alliances, and by pooling

comparative advantages, we increase our chances of success.”

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

New forms of Partnerships have emerged:

Strategic Partnerships and Smart Partnerships

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Millennium Development Goals

In September 2000, heads of 189 member states ratified the Millennium Declaration.

The Declaration established 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which became an agreed blueprint for accelerating improvements in the lives of the world’s poor by 2015.

These 8 MDGs directly address social, economic and environmental dimensions of worldwide development, and help to prioritize some of our greatest challenges in the 21st century.

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The Eight MDGs

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The UN Office for Partnerships

Serves as a gateway for collaboration between the private sector and foundations, and the United Nations family.

Promotes new partnerships and alliances Promotes the Millennium Development Goals Provides support to new initiatives of the Secretary-

General.

UNOP is comprised of 3 sections:– United Nations Fund for International Parterships (UNFIP)

– United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)

– Partnership Advisory and Outreach service

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Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

The UN Office for Partnerships

United Nations Office for Partnerships

United Nations Fund

for International Partnerships

Partnership Advisory and

Outreach Service

United Nations Democracy

Fund

Deputy Secretary-General

Secretary-GeneralUNDEFAdvisory Board

PartnershipsAdvisory Board

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The UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)

Established by the Secretary-General in March 1998 to serve as the interface between the UN system and the UN Foundation – the public charity responsible for administering Ted Turner’s $1 billion contribution in support of UN causes.

To date over US$1 billion has been programmed for over 400 projects implemented by 39 UN entities in 123 countries

Thematic Contributions by the UN Foundation through UNFIP (in

US $)

● Children’sHealth

619 404 908● Environment162 938 932

● Other63 348 023

● Peace, Securityand Human Rights

49 985 198

● Women andPopulation

135 993 119

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United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)

The World Summit Outcome declared that Democracy is a universal value; there is no single model of democracy; it does not belong to any country or region. The Heads of State and Government welcomed the establishment of a Democracy Fund at the United Nations.

As of today the Fund has allocated more then US$ 78 million for 211 projects in more than 100 countries and territories. It supports Civil Society Organisations who present action-oriented projects with tangible improvements in democracy and human rights; projects that focus on gender equality and the participation of vulnerable groups.

Democracy Fund supported projects foster democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes; civil society empowerment; civic education, voter registration and political parties strengthening; citizens access to information; accountability, transparency and integrity.

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a) Provides advice on appropriate strategies for developing and managing partnerships in support of United Nations goals and objectives and related operational activities;

b) Provides technical advice to United Nations offices, departments and entities concerning partnership building, advocacy and resource mobilization strategies with the private sector, foundation and civil society partners;

c) Provides advice to external entities on United Nations procedures and best practices;

d) Provides advice on strategies for effective outreach;

e) Identifies opportunities for public-private partnerships for advocacy support and for supporting operational activities of the United Nations, including resource mobilization in support of United Nations causes;

f) Facilitates the engagement of private sector, civil society and philanthropic leadership in the work of the United Nations system, including by convening meetings to promote dialogue and outreach with relevant United Nations entities on partnership opportunities, strategies and policy issues;

g) Facilitates and brokers engagement and dialogue between companies signatories to the Global Compact and relevant United Nations system partners, including senior management, technical experts and the network of private sector focal points, with a view of converting principles into practice;

h) Assists in the design of programmes and projects;

i) Helps establish and, in some cases, manage global and regional networks, and partnerships.

Partnership Advisory Services and Outreach (PASO)

*Source: ST/SGB/2009/14, dated 18 December 2009.

In 2009, the Office handled nearly 1,400 enquires

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UNFIP: By the end of 2008, 455 projects have been implemented by 39 United Nations entities in 123 countries. Total funding reached $1.06 billion in 11 years, 42% of which came from UN Foundation’s allocation, while the rest was generated via other private and civil society partners.

UNDEF: By 2008, 204 initiatives out of a total of 1,873 applications from 137 countries were approved with a funding of $58.7 million. In 2007, applications increased by 45%. UNDEF also enlarged the donor base to 35 Member States to boost funding to $91 million.

PASO: In 2009, 1,400 plus external requests came through UNOP for partnership advisory assistance, a 40% increase over 2008. Out of the total activities conducted by UNOP, 60% was for advisory services. (numbers from 2009 Roland Rich)

Key Data on UNOP

*Source: Annual Report of the Secretary-General A/64/91, dated 12 August 2009

Measurable Reportable Verifiable

Focus on Results

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Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro and Mr. Ted Turner at an event held 14 May 2007 to launch Microsoft Investment Strategy in Africa.

“Today, the United Nations Foundation is a key Partner and ally for the United Nations, serving as an architect of new and innovative alliances to advance UN goals. We have focused on creating partnerships that magnify the power that people, Governments and organizations, public or private, have - working together - to effect change and promote a world of good.“

-Ted Turner, Chairman and Founder, UN Foundation

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Guiding Principles for United Nations-Business Cooperation

Advance UN Goals: The objective needs to be articulated clearly and must advance UN goals.

Clear Delineation of Responsibilities and Roles: the partnership arrangement must be based on a clear understanding of respective roles and expectations, with accountability and clear division of responsibility.

Maintain Integrity and Independence: partnership arrangements should not diminish the UN’s integrity, independence and impartiality.

No Unfair Advantage: Every member of the business community should have the opportunity to propose cooperative arrangements, subject to the applicable guidelines and criteria of the specific UN agency, fund or programme concerned. Cooperation should not imply endorsement or preference of a particular business entity or its products or services.

Transparency: Cooperation with the business sector must be transparent. Information on the nature and scope of cooperative arrangements should be available within the Organization or to the public at large.

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UNOP serves as a Catalyst and Facilitator for innovative multi-stakeholders partnerships, working with governments, private sector, civil society and international organizations.`

Changing Landscape of Partnerships

Operating Discipline

Resources

Private Sector

Technologies

Management Skills

Brand Equity

Policiesand Norms

Field basedNetwork and

Outreach

Stronger Interdependencies

Understanding Corporate Cultures

MDGs

CSR

SmartPhilanthropy

Technical Asistance

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Types of Partnerships

InvestmentInvestment

Advocacy/Advocacy/OutreachOutreach

ManagementManagementPolicies/Policies/NormsNorms

Operational/Operational/SocialSocial

PartnershipsPartnerships

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Global Partnerships

Entrepreneurial approach

Multiple actors involved (government, NGOs, private sector, foundations, etc.)

Capacity of partnerships beyond traditional technical assistance

Global campaigns

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US Engagement globally

US is the biggest game in town:

ODA in 2009: US $ 28.67 Billions1

FDI outflow in 2008: US$ 311.7 Billions2

U.S. charitable giving in 2008: est. $307.65 billion3

Sources

1: OECD Net Official Development Assistance, Data 14 April 20102: UNCTAD World Investment Report 20093: Giving USA Foundation Giving USA 2009 Annual Report Press Release

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The US view

Partnerships as a foreign policy tool:

– For public diplomacy and development goals

– For specific policy objectives

Partnerships for practical problem solving

Importance of a “partnership-friendly” environment

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Foreign Policy Tool / US approaches to partnership building

“Aid creates dependency,

Investment makes you independent.”

Encouraging entrepreneurship at a local level

Incubation facility

Using advertising dollars for strategic initiatives

Moving beyond current capabilities

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Challenges in a multilateral environment

Avoiding overlap

Delivering as One

Navigating the bureaucracy

Need for cohesion

Replicability

Smart reporting

Understanding organizational and cultural differences

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How can Partners get engaged?

1. Leverage know-how, capacity and resources

2. Capitalize enterprise solutions to poverty that are commercially viable

3. Provide access to needed goods, services, and employment opportunities

4. Engage in public policy dialogue

5. Serve as an advocate for causes and campaigns

6. Media and communication (Articles, Speeches and Op-Eds)

7. Creative use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

8. Share best practice and lessons learned

9. Help design innovative programs and projects

10. Fund new and/or existing projects

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Some Examples of Social Partnerships

Haiti Hope Project: This multi-million dollar project with the support of Coca-Cola and Inter American Development Bank aims to double the incomes of 25,000 fruit farmers in Haiti and to raise their standard of living while contributing to the long-term development and revitalization of Haiti.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals: The UN Office for Partnerships provides the company with strategic advice and partnership services to leverage their business model to help achieve the MDGs. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals donates medicines in 58 countries around the globe, supporting their health systems, helping people in distress, and tackling diseases.

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Some Examples of Social Partnerships

Dow Chemical: The Dow Chemical Company started a round-the-world run (Blue Planet Run) together with Motorola, Skype and PayPal, to raise attention for over 1 billion people without access to safe drinking water. Dow is also providing $30 million to support the financing of up to 2,000 community water systems, serving 11 million people without access to safe drinking water in rural India.

Novartis: Novartis works with the UN Office for Partnerships to develop strategies to promeote health-related MDGs. Novartis provides treatment of Malaria in the frame of the pan-African campaign “United against Malaria”

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Some Examples of Advocacy Partnerships

G-Star: G-Star raised awareness for the MDGs during the 2008 New York Fashion Week through their new series and exhibitions.

Wal-Mart: Developed a podcast on the Millennium Development Goals and broadcasted it to 1.8 million associates. Wal-Mart also addresses gender-based violence in their suppliers’ factories

UN-Marvel Partnerships: DPI, the UN Office for Partnerships is working with Marvel Entertainment Inc. andMr. Romuald Sciora (French documentary film producer) to create a comic book. This book will feature some of Marvel’s super heroes, who support the UN in achieving the MDGs. The comoc book will initially be distributed free to one million U.S. schoolchildren

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Some Examples of Investment Partnerships

Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the Greater Tumen Region: The Office for Partnerships has been supporting the Greater Tumen Initiative and developed a BAC to attract new investment to the region. It consists of senior business leaders from the countries of the Greater Tumen Region (the People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation) and foreign investors operating in these countries.(Please also visit the BAC Homepage for more information)

Regional Centre for Partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa in Qatar (proposed): The Centre will provide a leadership role in facilitating strategic partnerships at the regional, national, and international levels across all sectors in support of the MDGs. It will also be a centre of excellence for training on partnerships to enable various stakeholders to be partnership-ready. The Centre will contribute to local capacity building and provide employment opportunities for youth in the region.

Global Business Council: Together with the Commonwealth Business Council, the UN Office for Partnerships is setting-up a Global Business Council in support of the MDGs. It will provide leadership in increasing international trade and investment flows, create new business opportunities, promote good governance and CSR, reduce the digital divide, and integrate developing countries into the global market.

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Some Recent Partnerships/Advisory Services

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A Special Thanks to:

Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Special Representative for Global Partnerships, U.S. Department of State

Jim Thompson, Regional Director, The Global Partnership Initiative, U.S. Department of State

Ed Salazar, Senior Program Officer, Foreign Policy Institute Leadership Division, U.S. Department of State

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For further information, please feel free to contact the United Nations Office for Partnerships

at

E-mail: partner@un.org Phone: +1-212-963-1000

Fax: +1-212-963-1486

Please also visit our website:http://www.un.org/partnerships

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