A GKP Knowledge for Development Publication Series

 

Listed below are the foreword page and the table of contents: Foreword In recent years, the term "multi-stakeholder partnership" (MSP) has gained much currency in development circles, trouncing the popularity of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). However, proof of successful practice in the realm of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) is scant as documented examples of truly effective MSPs are few. MSPs are about partnerships that are greater than the sum of its parts and about creating lasting and meaningful impact at all levels of action. They are meant to promote a more holistic approach to development and better governance.

The concept of MSP as an instrument for achieving development goals is sound, particularly when stakeholders with unique complementary strengths or core competencies add value to development efforts and pool their resources and assets in solving problems. But while many laud the virtues of MSPs, most are struggling to make them work.

The central challenge seems to revolve around the nurturing of a working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and understanding among stakeholders about each other's strengths and weaknesses. Stakeholders from each sector bring their own organisational mandates, interests, competencies and weaknesses to partnerships. Without open acknowledgement of these factors, and without processes in place to facilitate negotiations among stakeholders for optimal outcomes, effective MSPs will not emerge.

This publication is part of the Global Knowledge Partnership's (GKP) "Knowledge For Development Series", an overall effort to increase the availability of information and knowledge on various issues in the area of ICT4D. It is a GKP attempt to help mainstream understanding about MSPs, how they work, how they can be effectively formed and sustained, and their potential and actual contribution to the global effort to bridge the digital divide, deliver digital dividends and realise the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It also serves as a basis for GKP consultation and input to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Knowledge about MSPs as reflected in the contents of this publication is not perfect. It is meant to trigger debate and to serve as an open invitation for all stakeholders with MSP experiences in the area of ICT4D to share their perspectives and knowledge on the subject. What the GKP would like to obtain is a thorough and comprehensive understanding of how MSPs work and can be made to work effectively - knowledge which we ultimately intend to share with the rest of the world.

The GKP is the world's first MSP operating at the global level in the area of ICT for Development. It precedes the G8 Digital Opportunities Task Force (DOT Force) and the Digital Opportunities Initiative (DOI).

Members of the GKP network comprise governments, bilateral donor agencies, private sector companies, civil society organisation, networks and multilateral/international institutions that are committed to harnessing the potentials of ICT for equitable and sustainable development.

The framework of GKP enables stakeholders to come together and seek solutions to development problems collectively through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, experiences and resources, as well as through the collaborative development of action-oriented partnerships that improve lives and empower people.

The GKP has begun the process of soliciting feedback on this publication and some of the commentaries are included for the benefit of readers. Others who wish to contribute can send their comments to the GKP Secretariat at gkps@gkpsecretariat.org.my.

The GKP expects to produce a second version of this publication after consultations at WSIS 2003 in Geneva.

Rinalia Abdul Rahim
Executive Director, GKP Secretariat
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia


Table of Contents

FOREWORD
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PREAMBLE
Global Knowledge Partnership

1. THE UNIQUENESS OF MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS
1.1
1.2 Introduction
Stakeholder Perspectives
1.2.1 Business Perspective
1.2.2 Public Sector Perspective
1.2.3 Civil Society Perspective
1.3 Definitions of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
1.3.1 The Bali Principles
1.3.2 Re-Working the Bali Principles for the ICT Sector
1.3.3 Multi-Stakeholder ICT Partnerships - a Definition
1.4 A Typology
1.5 Principles of Multi-Sector ICT Partnerships
1.5.1 Knowing When To Partner
1.5.2 Drivers of Partnership
1.5.3 Design Parameters and Core Complementary Competencies
1.5.4 Partnering Agreements
1.5.5 Outcomes and Impact
1.6 The Partnering Process
1.6.1 Partnership Exploration
1.6.2 Partnership Building
1.6.3 Partnership Maintenance

2. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ICT PARTNERSHIPS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2.1 The Global Knowledge Partnership and ICT4D
2.2 World Summit on the Information Society
2.3 The Persistent Challenges of ICT4D
2.4 Case-Studies
2.4.1 Global Knowledge Partnership
2.4.2 e-ASEAN Initiative
2.4.3 Peru Telecoms Investment Fund
2.4.4 Grameen Village Pay Phones, Bangladesh
2.4.5 Ericsson Response - Disaster Relief
2.4.6 Dikahotole Digital Village, Hewlett Packard

3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Multi-Stakeholder ICT Partnering and the WSIS
Recommendation 1
Recommendation 2
Recommendation 3
3.2 Multi-Stakeholder ICT4D Partnerships - Key Lessons and Priority Areas
3.2.1 Key Lessons
3.2.2 Priority Areas
END NOTES
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