How can business, civil society and governments collaborate to create effective partnerships that drive lasting change?
Apply for your free place at the Guardian Sustainable Business seminar in London on 25 November 2014
No one actor has all the answers to today’s big social and environmental challenges. Recent years have seen the development of an alliance between businesses and charities, and as governments increasingly look to these sectors for support in solving large societal issues, these partnerships are having a significant impact.
Gone (or going) is the image of NGOs as subjects for corporate philanthropy and little else. Likewise, charities realise there is more to gain from the know-how and expertise of business, than just their chequebook. Inclusive and collaborative partnerships are now having a significant impact.
The forms that such partnerships take differ hugely. Some are global, others local. Some aim to build capacity or support advocacy efforts, others use business’ marketing muscle or research facilities to further the social goals. But solving these challenges together is not always easy. Getting the most impact out of partnerships in the context of different priorities, cultures and often limited resource is one challenge. There are also hurdles to overcome in measurement, return on investment and valuing business’ contribution.
And when partnerships come to an end how do partners ensure that the impact is sustained and a true legacy is created?
The Guardian is running a high level event supported by Aviva designed for charity leaders, corporate sustainability, HR and CSR managers, brokering specialists and others involved in cross-sector partnerships. The morning seminar will take place at The Guardian’s offices from 08:45 - 12:00 on 25 November 2014. Please register your interest in attending here [URL].
The programme for the morning is as follows:
08:45 Buffet breakfast
09:05 Welcome, Jo Confino, executive editor, The Guardian
09:15 Panel discussion: How should NGO-Corporate partnerships be structured and managed to ensure they result in substantive and lasting change?
• What should companies and NGOs consider when establishing a partnership?
• What are the most common problems that NGO-business partnerships run into, and how can these best be avoided?
Speakers include:
Adam Heuman, head of major partnerships, Plan UK
Liz Lowe, corporate responsibility and sustainability manager, Coca-Cola
Wayne Visser, director, Kaleidoscope Futures
Amanda Mackenzie, chief marketing officer, Aviva
10:30 Refreshment break
10:45 Breakout discussions
Participants will break out into smaller round table groups to discuss key issues raised in the panel discussion in more depth
11:35 Group feedback from breakout sessions and informal networking
12.00 Close
Places will be free of charge but capacity is limited. Please apply here [URL] for your place.
