About the Global Initiative
As late as 1969, 70% of U.S. resource flows to the developing world took the form of Official Development Assistance. However, by 2005, 80% of U.S. resource flows to the developing world came from private capital. The Department has gone on to embrace this philosophy and the Global Partnership Initiative is leading the effort to develop cutting edge partnerships that will achieve results in a dynamic and changing world.
While resources are becoming more scarce relative to increasing demand, the private sector role in the international arena is increasing, making partnerships essential. This is both a challenge – to remain relevant in changing world – and an opportunity – to partner with new players and become more conversant in better diplomatic approaches for the future.
| 1960s | 2005 | |
Public Flows | 68% | 16.8% |
Private Flows | 29% | 83.2% |
- Conservative estimates of resource flows to the developing world show that they have increased by nearly $52 billion in the last two years, reaching approximately $164 billion in 2005.
- U.S. FDI/Private Capital Flows and Remittances account for the largest categories of flows (at 42.1 percent and 25 percent, respectively).
- Official Development Assistance (ODA) makes up the third largest category of flows with approximately 17 percent of the total. While the share of ODA has shrunk over the past twenty-five years, the total value has grown at an average annual rate of 5.5 percent, from $7.14 billion in 1980 to $27.6 billion in 2005.
What does the Department mean by “partnership”?
The Department defines a partnership as a collaborative working relationship with non-governmental partners in which the goals, structure and governance, as well as roles and responsibilities, are mutually determined and decision-making is shared. Successful partnerships are characterized by complementary equities, openness and transparency, mutual benefit, shared risks and rewards, and accountability
If I’m interested in partnering, whom do I contact?
You can contact the Department’s Global Partnership Initiative whose staff are engaged in facilitating and building model partnerships; providing shareable tools and resources to a growing community of interagency practitioners; and enhancing collaborative networks. If you are located overseas, you can contact the U.S. Embassy to relay your interest and get feedback on specific ideas. You can also express your interest in partnering through a member organization such as the American Chamber of Commerce, Overseas Security Advisory Committee, Fulbright Commission, or bilateral friendship society.
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