Deadline Extended for the World Bank's Development Marketplace Grant Competition in the Philippines
The deadline for the World Bank's Country Development Marketplace in the Philippines, also known as "Panibagong Paraan" has been extended to December 20, 2005. The theme of the May 2006 event is "Development with Equity" and includes a focus on energy. With support from many partners including the Department of State and USAID, Panibagong Paraan includes a grants competition of up $18,500 USD to implement innovative projects over a one-year period. Non-governmental organizations, community groups, public and private research institutions, and local governments partnering with civil society groups are encouraged to apply. [more]

U.S. Activities on Sustainable Consumption and Production
September 2, 2005: Public-private partnerships are at the core of a wide range of U.S. efforts to promote cleaner and more environmentally sound use of resources in ways that grow economies and create jobs. At the Second International Experts Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production, U.S. government experts are highlighting a number of innovative programs and activities. Click here for full compilation.

My Community, Our Earth Partnership
The My Community, Our Earth Partnership announces its 2005 Awards recognizing outstanding youth projects from around the world that address sustainable development using geographic tools and concepts. This year, 55 projects involving approximately 200 primary, middle school, secondary, and college age youth were submitted from North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The highest scoring project from primary and middle schools explored public transportation in Kingston, Jamaica. The secondary school winner, also from Jamaica, created a hazard map based upon a risk analysis of areas prone to severe flooding. A student in Houston Texas submitted the winning project in the college and university age category examining air quality and environmental justice. Projects addressed sustainable development topics such as Mountain Ecosystems, Land Use, Alternative Energy, Health, Water, Transportation, Poverty, and Ecotourism, among others, and examined local issues in locations around the world, including Poland, Turkey, Finland, Canada, Nigeria, China, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica, Lithuania, and the United States. A panel of experts reviewed the submissions and awarded prizes, including a GPS, GIS software, and digital cameras to outstanding individual and team submissions and books and geographic educational materials to all participants. The 2005 MyCOE Youth Recognition Program was offered in honor of the kickoff of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-2014 and received significant support from the US Department of Agriculture, ESRI, and the Association of American Geographers. MyCOE is a Type II Public-Private Partnership created in the run-up to the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 2002. (For more information, please visit www.geography.org/sustainable; see My Community, Our Earth Partnership June 2005 newsletter.)

Seed Award Winners Announced
The winners of the Seed awards: Environmentally Friendly-Rice, Berries into Businesses, Indian Ocean Wonderland, Water for All, and Cows to Kilowatts, were chosen for their potential to advance sustainable development in their communities and contribute to the internationally agreed goals contained in the Millennium Declaration. All winning projects have the potential to be replicated in similar areas around the globe. These winning projects were selected from a pool of over 260 entries from 66 countries, representing 1,200 organizations. The Seed award winners are living proof that, through partnerships among communities, non-governmental organizations, businesses and public authorities, innovative solutions for delivering sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods can be born and fostered.

The Seed Initiative was originally announced at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. It is a voluntary public-private partnership that encourages local partnerships by assisting new development solutions to community challenges. The partnership has three objectives:

-- To recognize innovative, promising approaches through a biennial award program. Seed honorees will receive support services based on their partnership's goals.
-- To showcase the selected partnerships on the Internet at www.seedinit.org.
-- To provide a lessons-learned and best practice resource for other partnerships. This information will also be available on the Internet. In addition to highlighting the selected partnerships, this lessons-learned resource will include a wide variety of support information and lessons learned from other development partnerships.

Seed partners include international organizations (IUCN-World Conservation Union, United Nations Environment Program, United Nations Development Program), civil society organizations (Global Public Policy Institute, Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Development Partnerships), other partnerships (Global Compact),governments (Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and the private sector (Swiss Re).

To view the announcement regarding the Seed award winners please visit http://www.seedinit.org/mainpages/ceremony/intro/index.php?

Government of Morocco Hosts 2^nd International Partnerships Forum
March 23, 2005 - Over 400 participants from 61 countries and 14 international organizations attended the March 21-23 2^nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy in Marrakech, Morocco.  Hosted by the Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE), in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the Forum advanced sustainable development implementation by strengthening and fostering water and energy related partnerships.   More info: Forum website; IISD coverage.

Assistant Secretary Turner Highlights Importance of Partnerships
March 21, 2005 - Assistant Secretary of State John F. Turner addressed the "2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy" in Marrakech, Morocco (Mar. 21-23, 2005). Assistant Secretary Turner highlighted how partnerships "provide a critical link between internationally agreed development goals and the on-the-ground ideas, efforts, and resources of governments, civil society, and the private sector.  On a human scale, this means we're putting clean water in the mouths of thirsty boys and girls; it means we're helping women breathe cleaner, healthier air as they prepare meals for their families; it means we're helping young girls stay in school by building adequate sanitation facilities."  Turner added that water and energy partnerships provide an important mechanism to bring all stakeholders together in a participatory process which helps make institutions accountable to their constituents, promotes democracy and domestic good governance [full text]. For more information about the Forum and links to other presentations, please visit www.morrocoforum.org

2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development Announced
December 10, 2004 - The Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE), in cooperation with The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), announced it will host the 2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy. The forum will take place at the Palais des Congres in Marrakech, Morocco from March 21-23, 2005.

The purpose of the Forum is to advance sustainable development implementation by strengthening and fostering water and energy related partnerships. The 2nd Forum will build upon outcomes from other international partnership discussions, including the 1st International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development (March 2004 in Rome, Italy) and the 12th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-12, April 2004 in UNHQ, New York). Forum outcomes will be presented during CSD-13 in New York, April 11-22, 2005.

The Forum aims to highlight key elements of sustainable development partnerships related to water and energy. Elements include, using innovative partnership approaches to overcome constraints in implementing water and energy related goals; establishing new and strengthening existing partnerships, particularly in developing countries; sharing lessons learned and best practices in the partnering process (e.g. building, managing, and resource partnerships, etc.).

The forum will also provide networking opportunities and showcase partnerships that work, including through an exposition. For more information go to Forum Announcement.

Global Village Energy Partnership Announces Selection of New Host and Program Manager
On August 11^th, Paul Hassing, Chair of the Global Village Energy Partnership Board, announced the selection of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) as the new host for the GVEP Technical Secretariat. In addition, Dr. Abeeku Brew Hammond was named as the GVEP Program Manager, and will begin his new responsibilities on September 1, 2004. As the GVEP Program Manager, Dr. Hammond will be responsible for providing strategic planning and guidance support for the GVEP Technical Secretariat, as well as developing and ensuring the successful implementation of the GVEP work program. Dr. Hammond is the former director of the Ghana-based Kumasi Institute of Technology & Environment and an Associate Professor at Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Griff Thompson, GVEP Board member and lead of the transition search committee, called the announcement an "historic time for GVEP", having selected a strong host organization and superb Program Manager. He also thanked Judy Siegel, who has served as the interim Program Manager, for her "excellent" work and support to the Board through the transitional period, and added that Ms. Siegel will continue to assist GVEP as lead of the Financing Facilitation Service Line.

Dr. Thompson thanked the World Bank, and in particular Ms. Dominique Lallement for hosting GVEP through the start up phase. Thompson noted that the Bank had been instrumental in the launch of GVEP and a major contributor to the Partnership's substantial progress to date.

Jamal Saghir, Director Energy and Water at the World Bank, and GVEP Board member said the Bank had been pleased to host the GVEP Secretariat until a the Board identified a more permanent home. He also repeated the Bank's continued support to the Partnership.

GVEP aims to reduce poverty and enhance economic and social development for millions around the world by bringing together developing and industrialized country governments, public and private organizations, multilateral institutions, consumers and others in an effort to ensure access to modern energy services by the poor.

• National action plan development and implementation in 18 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
• Programs linked to the delivery of energy services to more than 20 million people.
• Training programs for entrepreneurs, microfinance organizations and financial institution officers.
• Shifting of host country government, private sector, NGO, and donor funding from electrification alone to broader energy-poverty and modern energy service delivery issues.

For more information about the partnership, see http://www.sdp.gov/sdp/initiative/cei/28305.htm. 

Safe Water System
In its July 21 edition, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlighted the Safe Water System (SWS) partnership's successful efforts in 15 countries to reduce waterborne diseases in children under five and in other vulnerable populations. JAMA observed that, "[The Safe Water System] illustrates how the developed world's financial and technical resources can work in tandem with local authorities in resource poor nations where millions become ill and die each year from waterborne diseases." For more details on this article link to JAMA article. For more information on Safe Water System, visit their fact sheet.

The Safe Water System partnership -- which includes U.S. Government agencies, health ministries in 17 developing countries, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations -- has distributed or sold at low cost more than eight million bottles of disinfectant solution. Each bottle can typically treat enough water to meet one person's drinking and cooking needs for six months. Coupled with safer water storage and improved hygiene practices, the Safe Water System has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhea, typically by about one-half."

2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S. launched the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Clean Energy Initiative, respectively. On April 28, 2004, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State Margaret Beckett and the United States of America's Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky announced their joining of each other's partnership. At the signing ceremony, Under Secretary Dobriansky commented that, "By joining forces, our respective initiatives will be better able to demonstrate in real ways how renewable energy and energy efficiency can make the vision of sustainable development become a reality. Through our alliances we will illuminate homes, classrooms, and factories, provide water for health and agriculture ends, and ignite economic growth in both rural villages and urban municipalities."

Safe Water System
In its July 21 edition, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlighted the Safe Water System (SWS) partnership's successful efforts in 15 countries to reduce waterborne diseases in children under five and in other vulnerable populations. JAMA observed that, "[The Safe Water System] illustrates how the developed world's financial and technical resources can work in tandem with local authorities in resource poor nations where millions become ill and die each year from waterborne diseases." For more details on this article link to JAMA article. For more information on Safe Water System, visit their fact sheet.

The Safe Water System partnership -- which includes U.S. Government agencies, health ministries in 17 developing countries, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations -- has distributed or sold at low cost more than eight million bottles of disinfectant solution. Each bottle can typically treat enough water to meet one person's drinking and cooking needs for six months. Coupled with safer water storage and improved hygiene practices, the Safe Water System has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhea, typically by about one-half."

My Community, Our Earth Partnership Seeking Project Submissions From Youths Worldwide
Project submissions from youth around the world are requested for the My Community, Our Earth (MyCOE) partnership. Project deadlines are May 3, 2004 and November 16, 2004. For an application or more information visit the web site at www.geography.org/sustainable . MYCOE projects will have a special emphasis on the UN Commission on Sustainable Development's themes of water, sanitation, and human settlements. In addition, MyCOE will offer a geographic focus as part of the White Water to Blue Water's focus on the countries of the Wider Caribbean. For additional information about submitting a project, please contact Greg Crosby at GCROSBY@CSREES.USDA.GOV. More information about last year's submissions can be found on the MyCOE pages on this site.

Global Information for Sustainable Development
GISD combines a variety of information technologies, including satellite images and geographic information systems, to enable government agencies and local communities to better address sustainable development challenges. For example, the GISD partnership helps countries use geospatial information to better respond to all phases of natural disasters, including prediction, preparedness, response, and recovery. This image, from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, shows the extent and severity of floods affecting human populations (areas in blue) in the Lower Limpopo Basin of Mozambique. More information is available on the GISD pages on this site.

White Water to Blue Water Partnership Conference Announced Nearly 100 Partnerships
The White Water to Blue Water Partnership Conference (WW2BW) took place March 22-26 in Miami, Florida. Representatives from 31 countries of the Wider Caribbean region and other coastal nations, the travel and tourism industry, academia, international organizations, the private sector, and environmental groups participated. The White Water to Blue Water conference resulted in the creation or advancement of nearly 100 partnerships to promote integrated watershed and marine ecosystem-based management. More information can be found on the WW2BW pages on this site.

International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Opening Remarks by Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Dobriansky
"Even though we may look at today's sustainable development challenges from different vantage points, we share the common view that to meet the goals we have established we need a more effective and efficient way of doing business. Building partnerships and alliances are a dynamic means to achieve these goals. Partnerships leverage each of our strengths, and have the potential to more efficiently and effectively deliver results than when we work independently. As Secretary Powell has said, "partnership is the watchword of U.S. strategy in this administration. Partnership is not about deferring to others; it is about working with them." [full text]

Congo Basin Forest Partnership Launches New Web Site
The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), called an "environmental success story" by the National Geographic, is taking significant steps to ensure regional cooperation in promoting sustainable management of the world's second-largest intact tropical forest. The partnership launched a multilingual Web site on December 19, 2003, supported by U.S. Government funds, to facilitate communication, cooperation, and coordination among partners and also to respond to the public's interest in the Congo Basin's forest and environment. The Web site is available in English (also at www.cbfp.org) and French. For more information about the U.S. contribution to the CBFP, see the Department of State fact sheet.

We Have a Stake in Sustainable Development
"[G]ood governance, wise stewardship of the environment and freer trade are the only ways to achieve lasting economic progress, [and] I pledged United States support to developing countries that adopt such farsighted policies. And I spoke of the critical role that public-private partnerships must play in helping them escape poverty and achieve prosperity. . . . Questions of development shape the overall quality of our bilateral relationships, and they hold far-reaching consequences for regional stability and security. All of us need to promote development as part and parcel of our larger mission of advancing core American values and interests worldwide." Secretary Powell, State Magazine, October 2002 [full text]