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Private Sector Engagement in Education: Conflict-affected and Fragile Contexts
Presented by Grace Akukwe Copyright © 2011 American Institutes for Research All rights reserved.
INEE Annual WGEF Meeting – Washington DC September 30, 2013
OVERVIEW • Premise for the paper • Objective of the paper • The nature of private sector engagement (PSE) in education • Tensions within PSE • Future considerations
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Premise of the paper • Developing a PSE Tool was proposed as part of Objective 1 – Working Group’s activities
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Under-estimated the scope of work required No available resources WGEF priorities were refocused Determined to provide a paper that is a short statement on the current lay of the land in PSE and INEE’s involvement/participation as a means of wrapping up the activity.
Objective of the Paper • Paper is not exhaustive on the issues affecting PSE. It addresses two central questions: • What are the narratives and practices around PSE in education for CAF contexts? • What are critical considerations for the future?
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The nature of PSE in education •
• •
Historically PSE captured under corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility (CSR). Private sector support to education was 5% of official donor aid in 2010 (UNESCO, 2013). Although various tools have been developed to help companies meet their philanthropic and CSR commitments there have been two main difficulties driving activities: • •
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Defining what is “responsible”. The practical challenges unique to working in CAF contexts (Ballentine & Haufler, 2009).
Tensions within PSE: Promoting shared value • •
• •
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Tension #1: Why should corporations care? Tension #2: What is the “intersect” of business interest and education sector needs in CAF contexts? Tension #3: What are the specific entry points for the private sector? Tension #4: How to avoid taking on government responsibility.
Tensions within PSE: Promoting shared value continued • • • •
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Tension #5: Balancing the philanthropic and forprofit agenda. Tension #6: Ensuring transparency and accountability. Tension #7: Modalities for PSE in CAF contexts. Tension #8: Ensuring an inclusive process for investments.
Future Considerations for PSE The education and development community are still a long way from developing a strong platform and framework for PSE. 1.
No shortage of frameworks and tools for private sector engagement and lack of case study comparability makes it difficult to identify the most appropriate. 2. Caution must be exercised not to replicate development assistance models that do not strengthen systems but only supplant the source of funding while sticking to the same models. 3. Expertise in education within the private sector is limited. Corporations do not have in-house expertise to connect educational outcomes and company’s core business. Not sure how to deliver on that mandate.. 8
Future Considerations for PSE continued 4. Private companies want to contribute in their areas of expertise – or contribute products within their supply chain. 5.Lack of transparency and accountability are a huge stumbling block against trust; and for monitoring effective partnerships. 6. Corporations want specifics when it comes to their contributions. 7. PSE cannot be relied on as a sustainable or sole source solution to finance gaps in education
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Conclusion INEE is already engaged with a number of groups that are focused on developing PSE tools. •INEE’s voice is an invaluable part of the discourse – that spotlights critical and specific issues for education in CAF contexts. •INEE has already established one process that may be viable entry point for PSE – the collection of resource needs at the country level – this could be costed and translated into social investment data points for interested corporations. •Education sector may not be able to completely escape the profit aspects of PSE. Cannot stop trying to find additional resources for CAF contexts. Developing a PSE tool is a response to how we balance the trade-offs. 10
Grace Akukwe E-Mail: [email protected] 1000 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007 General Information: 202-403-5000 Website: www.air.org
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Presented by Grace Akukwe Copyright © 2011 American Institutes for Research All rights reserved.
INEE Annual WGEF Meeting – Washington DC September 30, 2013
OVERVIEW • Premise for the paper • Objective of the paper • The nature of private sector engagement (PSE) in education • Tensions within PSE • Future considerations
2
Premise of the paper • Developing a PSE Tool was proposed as part of Objective 1 – Working Group’s activities
3
Under-estimated the scope of work required No available resources WGEF priorities were refocused Determined to provide a paper that is a short statement on the current lay of the land in PSE and INEE’s involvement/participation as a means of wrapping up the activity.
Objective of the Paper • Paper is not exhaustive on the issues affecting PSE. It addresses two central questions: • What are the narratives and practices around PSE in education for CAF contexts? • What are critical considerations for the future?
4
The nature of PSE in education •
• •
Historically PSE captured under corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility (CSR). Private sector support to education was 5% of official donor aid in 2010 (UNESCO, 2013). Although various tools have been developed to help companies meet their philanthropic and CSR commitments there have been two main difficulties driving activities: • •
5
Defining what is “responsible”. The practical challenges unique to working in CAF contexts (Ballentine & Haufler, 2009).
Tensions within PSE: Promoting shared value • •
• •
6
Tension #1: Why should corporations care? Tension #2: What is the “intersect” of business interest and education sector needs in CAF contexts? Tension #3: What are the specific entry points for the private sector? Tension #4: How to avoid taking on government responsibility.
Tensions within PSE: Promoting shared value continued • • • •
7
Tension #5: Balancing the philanthropic and forprofit agenda. Tension #6: Ensuring transparency and accountability. Tension #7: Modalities for PSE in CAF contexts. Tension #8: Ensuring an inclusive process for investments.
Future Considerations for PSE The education and development community are still a long way from developing a strong platform and framework for PSE. 1.
No shortage of frameworks and tools for private sector engagement and lack of case study comparability makes it difficult to identify the most appropriate. 2. Caution must be exercised not to replicate development assistance models that do not strengthen systems but only supplant the source of funding while sticking to the same models. 3. Expertise in education within the private sector is limited. Corporations do not have in-house expertise to connect educational outcomes and company’s core business. Not sure how to deliver on that mandate.. 8
Future Considerations for PSE continued 4. Private companies want to contribute in their areas of expertise – or contribute products within their supply chain. 5.Lack of transparency and accountability are a huge stumbling block against trust; and for monitoring effective partnerships. 6. Corporations want specifics when it comes to their contributions. 7. PSE cannot be relied on as a sustainable or sole source solution to finance gaps in education
9
Conclusion INEE is already engaged with a number of groups that are focused on developing PSE tools. •INEE’s voice is an invaluable part of the discourse – that spotlights critical and specific issues for education in CAF contexts. •INEE has already established one process that may be viable entry point for PSE – the collection of resource needs at the country level – this could be costed and translated into social investment data points for interested corporations. •Education sector may not be able to completely escape the profit aspects of PSE. Cannot stop trying to find additional resources for CAF contexts. Developing a PSE tool is a response to how we balance the trade-offs. 10
Grace Akukwe E-Mail: [email protected] 1000 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007 General Information: 202-403-5000 Website: www.air.org
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