16 April 2010

GPPi Research Associate presents on improving internal and external communications channels between the UN and business

GPPi Research Associate Wade Hoxtell served as a panelist for a working session and discussion on "Improving Internal and External Communications Channels" at the "United Nations System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting" which took place on 13-14 April 2010, at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. The event was co-hosted by the UN Global Compact, UNICEF, UNDP, the ILO and UN OCHA.

The biannual meeting aims to enhance communication, strengthen learning, advance coordination and improve collaboration among UN private sector focal points - staff in UN agencies that are responsible for engaging with the private sector in the UN's work. This year's meeting focused on a number of issues at both the global and country level, including:

  • Developing a more strategic approach for working with the private sector
  • Building capacities to enhance both fundraising and core business partnerships
  • Developing a more coherent approach to partner selection and engagement
  • Improving evaluation and impact assessment
  • Building a more enabling framework for United Nations-Business partnerships including through the implementation of the recommendations resulting from the revision of the UN-business guidelines process
  • Ensuring alignment between global partnerships and country development agendas
  • Enhancing partnership opportunities with small and medium-sized companies as well as companies from low-income countries

The panel on effective communications explored current UN-Business communication channels and their effectiveness with a view to enhancing approaches. The session highlighted the UN-business Focal Point E-Newsletter (of which Wade Hoxtell is the Editor) and the recently launched UN-business partnership gateway. Other panelists included Mr. Tim Hunter, Deputy-Director, Private Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF; Mr. Eric Falt, Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information; Ms. Melissa Powell, Head Strategy and Partnerships, UN Global Compact Office and Mr. Sean Cruse, Research & Communications, UN Global Compact Office.

In addition to discussing ways to improve the UN-Business Focal Point E-Newsletter, a tool GPPi produces in cooperation with the UN Global Compact, Hoxtell's panel presentation addressed some of the challenges of communicating experiences and best practices regarding partnerships effectively, both internally among the many UN Agencies, Funds and Programs as well as externally to the business community. With regards to internal communication, first and foremost he stressed that the key problem is the existence of a free rider dilemma where everyone wants useful knowledge, but nobody wants the bear the burden of creating and sharing it. Unless the will and resources can be found within each UN organization to encourage a more systematic and comprehensive method of internal communication, information sharing will never lead to a more mature knowledge sharing.

Second, he emphasized that holding this event every two years to share partnership experiences among UN private sector focal points is in itself a method of best practice, however, it is not enough if some of the major "black boxes" are not opened up and examined in depth. There are numerous thematic issues that could be addressed through more consistent dialogue fora among UN private sector focal points. Only more focused fora for discussing these issues in depth can provide the opportunity for more effective knowledge creation and sharing among UN organizations.

Lastly, with regards to external communications, he stressed that while the new website portal can provide a useful service for communicating the UN's past successes, legal guidelines and partnership (especially humanitarian) needs, the most successful partnerships are based on a strategic, long-term relationship and a conformity of core interests - characteristics which may be difficult to align through the website.

To download the meeting agenda, please click here.

For more information, please contact Wade Hoxtell

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