The role of philanthropic organizations in the post-2015 setting -DCF Special Policy Dialogue

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Date: - Location: New York

Introduction

Philanthropic engagement in development cooperation today....

Philanthropic organizations are ever more active in international development cooperation. While their contributions are difficult to fully quantify, philanthropic organizations clearly have an ability to take on greater risks and to test and introduce innovative approaches to specific challenges of sustainable development.

...and in the post-2015 period....

How can philanthropic organizations further leverage their valuable work? Reviewing past experiences will help to identify how to scale up innovative approaches to philanthropic engagement in development cooperation. Strengthening partnerships among foundations, with member States and other development actors will be key.

...can help shape the global development agenda.

This DCF policy dialogue brought practitioners from philanthropic organizations together with senior representatives from United Nations member States, as part of an ongoing effort to encourage strategic partnerships and collaboration between philanthropic organizations, member States and other stakeholders.

Inputs

The dialogue builds on the first DCF policy dialogue on the role of philanthropic organizations, held in 2012. A global e-discussion enabled a broad range of stakeholders to contribute their experiences and knowledge in advance of the event.

Expected outcomes

Meeting participants generated key policy messages that contribute to a number of ongoing processes, among them:

  • Preparations for the 2014 DCF, including high-level symposia on a renewed global partnership for development (Ethiopia, 6-7 June 2013) and on the future of international development cooperation in the post-2015 setting tbc (Switzerland, 24-25 October 2013)
  • ECOSOC Ministerial segment in July 2013
  • First Ministerial Meeting of the Busan Global Partnership on Effective Development Cooperation
  • OECD Global Network of Foundations for Development
  • Initiatives from other global and regional networks

Documentation

The meeting was jointly organized by UN DESA, UNDP, the OECD Global Network of Foundations Working for Development and the Worldwide Initiative for Grantmaker Support.

Opening Statements:

  • H.E. Néstor Osorio, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (English - Spanish)
  • Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, UNDESA
  • Sigrid Kaag, Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant Administrator, Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, UNDP

Closing statement:

  • H.E. Néstor Osorio, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (English - Spanish versions)

Presentations: