The UN and Partnerships

Engaging a group of select experts and practitioners, GPPi presented its research findings on partnership activities between the United Nations and business. These findings had been previously presented at the UN Private Sector Focal Points for Partnerships meeting in Geneva.

The audience engaged in a lively discussion of relevant issues, clarifying respective viewpoints and identifying issues of controversy. Among others, Thomas Fritschen provided insight into the German Foreign Office’s position on and concerns about partnering activities. Ulrike Haupt, representing the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, outlined the ministry’s partnership activities and, drawing from her experiences, interesting parallels to the UN system.

Especially in light of GPPi’s external report, to be published jointly with the UN Global Compact Office, the discussion proved extremely constructive. Not only was the issue of partnerships approached from a variety of standpoints, but the discussion also contributed to a closer cooperation between research community and practitioners.