What experiences, positive or negative, have you had with partnerships between the UN and the private sector? by Meryem Aboulkassimi

What experiences, positive or negative, have you had with partnerships between the UN and the private sector? by Meryem Aboulkassimi https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k Double-click on the wall/picture to post and please write your name next to the comment IMPORTANT: This is a collective exercise please try not to repeat the answers already mentioned by other colleagues. en-us 2018-07-05 10:19:46 UTC 2018-07-30 15:31:43 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269744536 Until now the main experience I have had (the offices I worked in) with the private sector has been through CSR. I really found that the engagement under this format had great limitations and did not really address the main contribution that private sector could/should have in development. I also realized that, at the time, it was not only the private sector that saw itself limited to that role, but us, the UN also had difficulties in visualizing a more ambitious and central role for them in development initiatives.
Irene Garcia]]> 2018-07-09 14:09:04 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269744536 I feel that one key limitation is that we have a lot of assumptions of what we could offer to the private sector and that we still need to develop a stronger value proposition (e.g there is for instance this strong discourse in the UN on risk mitigation while the financial sector tends to talk more about exit/liquidity). We're also limited by our processes (for instance how do we get remunerated for the services we could provide to large companies or financial institutions). Sarah Bel https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269854748 2018-07-10 14:53:16 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269854748 Liviana Zorzi UNDP https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269926423 I think that the most important thing is discussing frankly and openly with the companies, and define very concrete outputs of cooperation. Many times we see an initial interest in cooperating with us - the UN - but then the cooperation does not go much beyond providing funding for an event / organizing a workshop together. It would be great to establish more long term and complex partnerships. In several cases however also UN internal procedures are not clear - is it something to be decided at CO level? Something to be discussed at HQ - following due diligence? Or something to be discussed more globally with UNGC?

]]> 2018-07-11 08:35:45 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269926423 I see the hesitation by the UN to engage with companies due to reputation risks as a large limiting factor. Obviously there is a risk there but there is opportunity to look beyond reputation based on past actions or even false perceptions and recognize the company in question for the efforts they are making currently or are willing to make. Also, by engaging with companies that have policies or practices that are not aligned with the UN it could be a chance for the UN to positively influence those policies. https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269967068 Fiona Woody

]]> 2018-07-11 16:32:07 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/269967068 Since the begining of this year, we try to interest Private sector in Partnership with UN. We found that local compagnies imagine that it is only the job of UN and the Government to address the 2030 Agenda challenges. They were very currious to know that they have a role to play but have not yet a clear vision of what to do. So at local UN level, we need to organize a large event to fix the role and responsabilities and let them know what opportunities can be flowed. https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270033394
Clarisse DAOU]]> 2018-07-12 08:18:32 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270033394 UN agencies still reluctant to partner with private sector https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270062371 Reputation and especially the fear or mis-perception on reputation risks from partnering with the private sector continues to be a great limitation in UN agencies, notably in HQs. The lack of a clear framework and clearance mechanisms, including the legal aspects of the partnership, makes them extremely complicated, and quite often we quit the attempt not because the relevance and potential effectiveness of the partnership, but due to bureaucracy and lack of understanding among UN staff ]]> 2018-07-12 14:24:35 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270062371 Our experience with private initiative has been limited but very favorable. The establishment of alliances has made it possible to take advantage of the capacities and abilities of each one of the partners to strengthen the efforts, and jointly achieve objectives. In terms of linkage we have identified two major problems: the first related to the identification of partners who are committed to the issues, and who are available to devote resources (in the broad sense of the word). This also has to do with the need to strengthen capacities within the office. And second, the limitations established in institutional terms to formalize the links. For example, we have found companies that produce or distribute alcoholic beverages that have shown interest in collaborating with us. Even when they are companies affiliated with the Global Compact and have a history of campaigns in line with our mandate, the fact of belonging to this sector has blocked the possibility. Iván C. https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270062445 2018-07-12 14:25:23 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270062445 Limited but positive https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270066349 I have had just one interaction with the UN, when I was asked to lead a Sustainable Tourism Policy Dialogue with the South Asian Countries. The UN respected my private sector experience during this interaction. They seemed very keen to develop more case studies from the private sector. So the interaction was positive and good]]> 2018-07-12 15:04:46 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270066349 To date, I have not had a professional tenure working with the UN or in the area of sustainable development. I have, however, worked with private sector groups in various Caribbean islands in the area of trade facilitation. So my answer is not a precise response to the question that was posed. I do recall that my past interaction was marked by a willingness to understand changing public policy and the necessary adjustments that would have to be made to adapt. In the Caribbean the private sector groups have been long-standing partners in development and since the launch of Agenda 2030 several organizations have mobilized efforts to support various initiatives. I do anticipate that the engagement of private partners will become more structured and formal systems will be created for mutual understanding of national requirements and the respective roles to be played. https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270093854 deniserdouglas

]]> 2018-07-12 22:33:39 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270093854 Promoting gender perspective and exploring partnerships https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270231184 Working with UN Women in Colombia, in alliance with the local network of global compact, we have developmend a kit to work on gender for private sector. We promote the compromise with the WEPs into the companies, we are creating practicioners communities by economic sectors (communications, infraestructure, advertise, finance) and we are proposing to them actions to support partnerships -finance- with local goverments and women productive-economic initiatives. We are also working with some companies on the funding of specific projects of UN Women, one of the projects as corporate social responsibility funding memory initiatives on the framework of the peace process in colombia, and other project with 5 partnerts to Create Shared Value on tecnology and finance for women in vulnerable territories, both projects are in a exploratory phase yet.
The process to promote financing and funding of the private sector is just started and we have many questions about the kind of relationship with the companies, the procedures -including due diligence- and the way to communicate and to share this kind of initiatives. ]]> 2018-07-15 14:06:10 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270231184 Sustainability Alliance https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270537100 We're currently working to strenghten the Sustainability Alliance within AMEXCID. However, we face different challenges regarding the institutional partership.
Carlos Cortés Zea]]> 2018-07-18 17:19:18 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/270537100 I don't work on partnerships directly, but rather on communications. My office has experienced some frustration at the slowness and road blocks caused by bureaucracy. However, there has been a few successful partnerships put in place. I hope to gain some insight through this course that may help. Even if it's just reassurance that its normal for these things to take time. https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/271456937 Liliana U]]> 2018-07-30 15:23:22 UTC https://padlet.com/meryem0291/2ffc28ao992k/wish/271456937