Abstract
This paper reflects on the necessity of cross-sectoral partnerships and criteria for their success from the perspective of a practitioner who has been involved in international exchange for nearly four decades. There are many reasons for the increased need seen worldwide for partnerships between civil society, government, corporations, and others, but the most significant factor is the impact of globalization. Simply repeating the mantra of “partnerships,” however, will not result in their actualization. The development of partnerships requires strategic thinking, a proper mindset, and a good deal of hard work. The article points to a number of specific prerequisites for creating effective partnerships. The first is autonomy. Without autonomy, an organization or individual cannot form effective partnerships. On the other hand, by partnering with many organizations or individuals rather than forming a one-on-one partnership, the autonomy and independence of an organization can be maintained. The second prerequisite is expertise. Partnerships between organizations that have complementary areas of expertise will produce a higher quality of activities. Third, trust between the individuals involved in the partnership is critical. While there are always certain difficulties involved in working with people outside one’s immediate circle, those difficulties are more than compensated for by the creation of human networks built on trust between individuals who are striving to address common objectives.
