Partnership Issues in the Social Sector

Abstract

The Partnership Issues in the Social Sector workshop continued the partnership theme of several ADB Institute workshops that preceded it, the most recent being the Information and Communication Technology and Education: Potential for Partnerships workshop organized in April 2001 in Hong Kong, China . The first workshop of this series on Public-Private Partnerships in the Social Sector held in July 1999 addressed issues relating to what needs to be done for establishing and forming effective partnerships. The knowledge provided in this workshop has assisted policymakers in better understanding the necessary conditions under which partnerships could be successfully promoted for social development. Subsequent events such as the Public-Private Partnerships in Education and Health workshops conducted in 2000 provided specific country experiences and actual models of partnerships in education and health. They covered issues on how best to serve the needs of the poor and the disadvantaged in both sectors. This workshop was organized by the ADB Institute from 22 to 28 August 2001 at the Institute's premises in Tokyo. It was a continuation of the effort to support improvement in the delivery of education and health services through partnerships. The focus of this workshop is on partnership issues per se. While effective partnerships are critical to improving education and health, partnerships could work in developing countries only if policymakers and government officials are fully aware of the issues and conditions that are associated with their formation as well as their effective and efficient operation. Toward this end, the workshop is designed to serve as a catalyst for discussions on partnership issues. These include issues on four key areas: policy, leadership, governance, and management.