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Sustainable Development
Essential to the success of humanitarian assistance are long-term strategies to ensure follow-on social and economic progress. The key to achieving this is through sustainable development. Governments, the United Nations and non-government organisations (NGOs) all have a particular role to play in ensuring sustainable development.
The Humanitarian Development Program has a strong emphasis on the role of business and the private sector, including contributing to sustainable development through its social contract and through public private partnerships.
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The Humanitarian Development Program deals also with the delivery of aid and philanthropic programs, but for the private sector its contribution comes through core business and the value delivered to society.
The Social Contract
Businesses that succeed on the international stage and achieve economies of scale through growth do so by bearing social responsibilities as part of the deal. Companies are becoming more engaged in the challenges the world faces and not avoiding them as somebody else’s problems.
Many large companies now have their own development partnerships or programs that still reflect their core business but do so progressively through creating new markets, creating economic value and providing new jobs all in a manner that reflects the true definition of sustainability. So long as corporations are tuned into societal signals then business benefits through business being successfully conducted.
Case studies
If you would like your company's case study to be included on this page then please email us.
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Public private partnerships and core business
It is becoming increasingly clear from those involved in development partnerships that progress can be accelerated if the international community were to integrate private sector capabilities into development assistance efforts on a more systematic basis.
Public private partnerships (PPPs) between business, governments, NGOs and development agencies provide an effective method of tackling the big global issues of poverty, hunger, healthcare, education, energy, water and infrastructure. The key to the involvement of the private sector is the huge resources that businesses can bring to the table whether it be the provision of logistical services or healthcare.
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PPPs are at their most effective when allied with core business practices and strategic corporate social investment. That effectiveness is best achieved when partnering with the local communities and small businesses. |
Promoting local partnerships
A fundamental part of the Humanitarian Development Program and accordingly the forthcoming summit in Nairobi is to ensure the participation of local communities and local business people.
The Humanitarian Development Program can draw on the considerable experience gained from its previous summits, where local business operators – in their respective countries – have been able to meet in an open forum with international companies and investors. |
Dealing with the huge sustainable development requirements of Africa, Asia and South America is best achieved through umbrella representation. Hence, the HDP works hard to ensure the involvement of head of chambers of commerce, employers federations and community leaders. International companies need to forge partnerships with such local operators to ensure:
• Competitive pricing
• Local market access and knowledge sharing
• Building of trust
• Establishing local means of production
• Creating demand for products and services and employment creation
• Sourcing from local producers
• Developing local distribution networks
• Technology transfer
• Empowering and educating women to promote equality
• Building local public and political support
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Key private sector competencies contributing to Sustainable Development
• Agriculture, Food & Forestry
• Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure
• Education
• Energy
• Financial Services
• Healthcare & Medicine
• Information Technology
• Mining, Minerals & Metals
• Professional Services
• Telecommunications
• Transport & Logistics
• Water & Wastewater
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