THE GLOBAL PARTNERHIP CENTER (GPC) PROVIDES

UNCLAS STATE 123494 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AID ABUD AMGT AFIN BMGT EAID ECON EFIN MOPS, OARC, SCUL, SENV, KCOM, KEAI, KECF, KGHG, KMCA, KMPI, KPAO, KSEP, KSPR, KTIP, KWIR SUBJECT: THE GLOBAL PARTNERHIP CENTER (GPC) PROVIDES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION FOR POSTS AND LAUNCHES SECOND ANNUAL CLEARINGHOUSE (S/ES: 200818534) TO ALL CHIEFS OF MISSION, DCMS, AND HEAD OF AGENCIES FROM THE SECRETARY REF: A) 07 STATE 166816, B) 08 STATE 109509 ¶1. This is an action message. Please see paragraph 6. ¶2. SUMMARY: Established in December of 2007 (ref. A), the Global Partnership Center (GPC) leads efforts to advance the use of results-based, public-private partnerships as a mainstream tool for U.S. diplomacy. A cornerstone of this effort is the Global Partnership Clearinghouse, the first-ever database of multi-sector partnerships created under Chief of Mission authority. This message announces the launch of a website where GPC partnership information can be accessed by post and requests post participation with the launch of the second annual Clearinghouse. ¶3. The GPC leads efforts to assist posts and bureaus in building public-private partnerships, by: 1) providing tools, information, guidance and training for partnership practitioners and lowering obstacles to partnership building, 2) building and stewarding relationships with key partners, and 3) building a limited number of partnerships with replicable value to post, innovations, or with high strategic value. ¶4. Working with partners from the business, non- governmental organizations, and foundation communities as well as others can bring new expertise, capacities and creativity to bear on our work around the world and across a broad array of policy and programmatic objectives. To assist partnership practitioners, the GPC's Toolkit will soon be available online. The GPC is also working in collaboration with interagency partners, including Unified Combatant Commands of the Department of Defense, to foster collaboration that leads to more robust partnerships. The GPC has worked closely with USAID to avoid duplicative partnership reporting and Clearinghouse guidance will specify how to avoid unnecessary, redundant data entry. ¶5. Post response to the 2008 GPC request for partnership information was overwhelming. More than 640 partnerships were reported globally that were initiated under Chief of Mission authority at post as well as those created by our bureaus and offices domestically. For the benefit of all partnership practitioners the 2008 Clearinghouse data can now be accessed at http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Global_Partnersh ip_Center. Posts are encouraged to avail themselves of the information as a guide to the partnerships that are being forged by colleagues around the world and to provide examples of the array of benefits that can be realized through public-private initiatives. ¶6. ACTION REQUESTED: Starting in January 2009, the GPC will launch the second Clearinghouse to systematically collect partnership information from all agencies operating under Chief of Mission authority. Once again, the Clearinghouse will be associated with the Mission Strategic Plan process. The value of the Clearinghouse is derived from partnership practitioners sharing information. Please ensure robust country team participation in the 2009 Clearinghouse and designate one or more GPC coordinators (ref. B). Please forward the contact information of the designated Clearinghouse coordinators to GPC@State.gov by the close of business on November 21, 2008. I thank you in advance for your responsiveness to this request. ¶7. I encourage you to find out more about the GPC by visiting the GPC's Intranet site at http://gpc.state.gov , writing to GPC@state.gov, or calling the GPC at 202-647- ¶2200. ¶8. Minimize considered. RICE