ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the most important enduring truths that have emerged at this preliminary stage of Business Partners for Development's (bpd) learning, and in so doing seeks to dispel some of the wave's most endearing myths. The potential for extending benefits beyond the individual partnership is particularly enhanced where the international partners seek to systematically build learning across their operations. Bpd was established to study, support and promote strategic examples of partnerships involving business, civil society and government working together in and for communities around the world. The Global Alliance for Workers and Communities was from the outset formally a tri-sector partnership, involving the International Youth Foundation, Nike Corporation, Mattel Inc. Receptivity and capacity of key organisations is a critical ingredient in realising partnership potential. Efficiently overcoming risks, building new bases of legitimacy, and taking advantage of latent opportunities are often beyond the reach of individual organisations.
