Working with NGOs through Fair Partnerships

This paper highlights how Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) can be utilized during the design of Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). We use the design process of a voter education system as a case study, which incorporated three NGOs from two African countries. Of key interest to us are the ways in which we can avoid exploiting these NGOs and make sure the ICT intervention meets their goals, as well as those of the researcher

Corporate-NGO Partnerships for Sustainable Development

In the last 15 years, the trend of NGOs working in cooperation with business has developed considerably. The global community – including leaders of international governmental institutions and of the non-profit sector as well as some business leaders – has recognized the importance of including business in the process of international development. NGOs, on the other hand, have become instrumental in development work internationally, but they generally do not have the means and resources to carry out their projects efficiently in a sustainable manner. This is why engaging business with the public and non-profit sectors to find common solutions to problems has been an increasing trend globally. The first section of this paper analyzes the general trend of increasing interaction between the public and the private sector. It outlines some of the benefits of partnerships to both corporations and NGOs, the practical difficulties they present, and the elements necessary to establishing a healthy collaboration between both actors. The second section illustrates the potential of such partnerships by looking at their effectiveness in the fair or ethical trade movement. Partnerships in fair trade seek to address both the economic and social/environmental aspects of sustainable development, so they present benefits and challenges simultaneously. We shall use a case study from the coffee industry, to analyze how a large corporation such as Starbucks works successfully with NGOs to promote sustainable and fair coffee production practices. Finally, we shall discuss the success of partnerships, drawing conclusions from the analysis of the case study

Promoting fair and equitable research partnerships to respond to global challenges

This report presents the findings from a programme of strategic research funded by UKRI through the GCRF. The research sought to elicit a 'partners' perspective' on participation in UKRI-funded research by generating data from three groups of partner: i) academics based in the global South; ii) civi society practitioners based in the global South; and iii) international NGOs and research capacity providers based in the UK. Drawing on this data, the report identifies eight principles for understanding and improving fair and equitable research collaboration which form the basis of a series of targeted learning modules for 6 groups of stakeholders: UK-based research funders; UK-based academics; research brokers and capacity providers; international NGOs; academics based in the global South; and civil society practitioners based in the global South

The strength of lobbying and advocacy

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.CCC_2014_Report_Netherlands_strength_of_lobbying.pdf: 255 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Strengthening Institutions for Worker Empowerment: Capacity Building among Civil Society Organizations in China

The series Verite Works profiles initiatives to improve workplace conditions around the world. This issue describes a two year program aimed at building Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in China, with the goal of improving working conditions by enhancing understanding of labor standards and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Partnerships for technology transfer: how can investors and communities build renewable energy in Asia?

Technology transfer for climate change mitigation needs to focus on the diffusion of existing technologies as well as the innovation of technologies. • Diffusion requires full involvement of non-state actors, particularly business investors in new and renewable energy technologies and the local communities who adopt technologies. • This paper presents advice about how partnerships between investors and communities can accelerate technology transfer by reducing investors’ costs and making technologies more relevant to local development. Partnerships are based on a combination of creating assurance mechanisms, reducing transaction costs, and building trust and accountability. • Capacity-building and enabling environments for technology transfer therefore have to include building these partnerships between investors and host communities

Investing in Women for a Better World

Offers case studies of HERproject, a factory-based initiative working to improve women's health awareness, leadership skills, and employer relations by promoting the business value of workplace health programs and creating intervention networks