Be a part of the worldwide virtual conversation at #GPW2016

During one week each March, the U.S. Department of State inspires public, private, and social sector organizations everywhere to organize local, national, and global activities to explore the potential benefits of partnership and collaboration.

Global Partnerships Week (GPW) is an annual celebration that recognizes the critical role public-private partnerships play in promoting diplomacy and development worldwide. From March 7 to 13, GPW 2016 is focused on “Leveraging Innovation in Partnerships” and is hosted by the Secretary of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, in collaboration with Concordia, USAID, and PeaceTech Lab.

There are five great events taking place that you can join in-person in Washington, DC, or virtually anywhere in the world.

#1 March 7: Live Event – The Global Partnerships Practitioners Forum

On Monday, March 7, the Global Partnerships Practitioners Forum kicks off the week in Washington, DC. Bringing together partnership practitioners and leaders, the full-day event will provide a forum for lively discussion on common challenges and best practices and to identify new partnership opportunities. The day includes a robust agenda with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on issues ranging from partnering with the tech sector to diversifying project financing with blended capital.

Of special note is a live debate on “The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility” featuring Gina Tesla, Director of Corporate Citizenship Initiatives at IBM; John Buckley, former Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at BNY Mellon; Richard Crespin, CEO of CollaborateUp; and Gawain Kripke, Director of Policy and Research at Oxfam America, moderated by John Mennel, a Director in Deloitte’s Social Impact Practice.

See the full agenda.

#2 March 8: Webcast – The Power of Partnership

Deirdre White, CEO of PYXERA Global will host Gina Tesla, Director of Corporate Citizenship Initiatives at IBM; Tonia Wellons, Associate Director of the Peace Corps; and Alexandra Wrage, President & Founder of TRACE for an engaging discussion on the challenges and opportunities of partnership worldwide.

In observance of International Women’s Day, the conversation will reflect on the many opportunities for cross-sector partnerships to benefit women, including the recently launched partnership to bring the talent of IBM’s Corporate Service Corps to Peace Corps projects, and their current collaboration in Ghana supporting the First Lady’s Let Girls Learn initiative. The webcast will also explore how entities across the globe are collaborating on a common mission to advance commercial transparency worldwide as a critical component of sustainable economic development.

RSVP now OR WATCH LIVE on March 8 at 9:30am Eastern Time.

#3 March 10 Online Chat – Partnerships for Peace +SocialGood

This digital panel co-hosted by Sister Cities International and +SocialGood will highlight organizational partnerships that are leveraging technology and innovation to create initiatives that are building links between cultures all over the world.

Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for over 560 individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States with relationships in over 2,300 communities in 150 countries, uniting tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers. +SocialGood is a global community where connectors come together to share world-changing ideas and spark action in our social media era.

RSVP now for March 10 at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.

#4 March 10: Webinar – Capturing Your Audience Through Storytelling

Working Narratives is an organization that works with nonprofits, activists, and social movements to “change the story” on the big social issues of our day. Through the arts and media, Working Narratives helps nonprofits communicate better about the work they do. Paul VanDeCarr is managing director of Working Narratives, where he works in such storytelling forms as documentary film, oral history, and the theater.

In this webinar, Paul will walk participants through a series of questions to evaluate and improve their storytelling, including: “What do you want to achieve?” “Who are you trying to reach?” “What is the central struggle in your story?” and “How do you get people to participate in the story?”

RSVP now for March 10 at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.

#5 March 10: Google Hangout – WonkTank: Identifying America’s Next Great Policy Wonk

Secretary John Kerry’s Office of Global Partnerships, through the Diplomacy Lab public-private partnership, is coordinating a first-of-its-kind competition for university students across the United States to compete to be America’s next great policy wonk. Diplomacy Lab enables the State Department to “course-source” research and innovation related to foreign policy by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty at universities across the country.

Wonk Tank flips this model by giving students the opportunity to pitch the policy issues and solutions to the Department’s policy experts. Four finalists will travel to Washington, DC, and pitch their ideas to a live audience at the State Department on April 1. Join this Google Hangout On Air as Deputy Special Representative Thomas Debass is joined by WonkTank finalists to preview their pitches and discuss the motivation behind this innovative competition.

Watch live on March 10 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time.

 

The New Global Citizen is proud to be a media partner for Global Partnerships Week 2016. Join the conversation on Twitter at #GPW2016.