The role of the private sector

Building a Sustainable Future
Investment in Children and
the Role of the Private Sector
Mattias Forsberg, Save the Children Sweden
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The role of the private sector - opportunities
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Generates conditions for development
Drives innovation
Builds resources
CSR increasingly on the agenda
• The private sector as part of society – rights and
responsibilities
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The role of the private sector - challenges
• Marrying profit and inclusive, sustainable
development
• Long-term vs. short-term
• Business is global – government is national/local
• Universality and level playing-field
• Competing for investment and traid – tax policies
• The private sector as part of society – rights and
responsibilities
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Public Private Partnerships –
opportunities
• The Private Sector needs an educated,
healthy and prosperous population – logic for
contributing resources
• Public Private Partnerships – freeing
resources from investment-heavy public
projects
• The role of Businesses – individual
companies affect the workplace, the
marketplace and communities – households
and society
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Essential for private sector
contribution
• Regulations (e.g. General Comment to CRC)
• Independent accountability
• Structural relations for long-term development
(government, private sector, trade unions,
civil society, media)
• Inclusive processes
• International cooperation and agreements
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Experiences and lessons
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Policy initiatives
Private sector-driven engagements
Accountability and monitoring
The role of the different actors
Children’s participation
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Investment in Children and the
Private Sector – Core Links
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Mobilizing resources
Providing goods and services
Driving innovation
Promoting development – but inclusive development?
etc.
• At the core for all – why invest in children?
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“Do not take advantage of us, we ask
you to be responsible, do not
support us because you feel pity for
us, instead, support us because we
deserve it, we purchase your
products and services, but we ask
you to invest in our development. We
do not want gifts, we want you to be
responsible.”
Young person in Peru
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