Abstract
Judith Richter argues that the public–private partnerships per se are not necessarily positively innovative, but that many of them carry large risks that are neither highlighted nor addressed due to the positive connotation of the term. The main novelty of public–private ‘partnerships’ is not so much the type of interactions but the framework of thought underlying this policy paradigm. She suggests that there are better and safer alternatives to the uncritical spread of the partnership-with-business paradigm. She asks that these are urgently considered if we are serious about the core mandate in the international health arena: the protection, respect, facilitation and fulfilment of people's fundamental right to the highest attainable standard of health.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
These were the value judgements contained in a presentation advocating the adoption of the PPP approach in the nutrition arena by MGG Venkatesh Mannar, President of the Micronutrient Initiative (see Mannar 2003).
On the question of definitions, see, for instance, Buse and Walt (2002) and Ollila (2003, pp. 42–43).
For analyses of Global Health Alliances with further references, see example Ollila (2003), Richter (2003a). For analyses of the Global Compact see, example Bruno & Karliner (2002); Utting (2002), Richter (2003b); Zammit (2003), Martens (2004; www.evb.ch).
See for example, Utting 6 April 2004 (2000, pp. 32-34); HAI (2001; www.haiweb.org/campaign/PP1/Seminar200011.html); and the summary of criticisms in Buse and Waxman (2001, pp. 750–751).
References
Brundtland G.H. (2002) ‘Address by Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland’, Director-General, to the Fifty-Fifth World Health Assembly. Geneva, World Health Organization.
Bruno K. and J. Karliner (2002) ‘Earth Summit Biz: The corporate take-over of sustainable development. Oakland, CA: Food First Books.
Buse K. and G. Walt (2000a) ‘Global Public–Private Partnerships for Health: Part I – a new development in health?’, Bulletin of the World Health Organization – The International Journal of Public Health 78: 549–561.
Buse K. and G. Walt (2000b) ‘Global Public–Private Partnerships: Part II – what are the health issues for global governance?’, Bulletin of the World Health Organization – The International Journal of Public Health 78: 699–709.
Buse K. and G. Walt (2002) ‘Globalisation and Multilateral Public-Private Health Partnerships: Issues for health policy’, in: K. Lee, K. Buse and S. Fustukian (eds.) Health Policy in a Globalising World, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 41–62.
Buse K. and A. Waxman (2001) ‘Public–Private Health Partnerships: A strategy for WHO’, Bulletin of the World Health Organization 79(8): 748–754.
HAI (2001). Public/private partnerships: Meeting real health needs? Conference Reader, Kapellerput, The Netherlands, Health Action International (HAI-Europe), and BUKO Pharma-Kampagne.
Lohmann L. (1990) ‘Whose common future?’, The Ecologist 20(3): 82–84.
Mannar M.G.V. (2003) ‘Public–private partnerships for improved nutrition: How do we make them work for the public good?’, SCN (UN Standing Committee on Nutrition) News 26: 4–7.
Martens J. (2003) The Future of Multilateralism after Monterrey and Johannesburg, Dialogue on Globalization. Occasional Papers (10) Berlin: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Martens J. (2004). ‘Global Compact – Prekäre Partnerschaft’, presentation at The Public Eye on Davos 2004, Berne Declaration.
Nelson J. (2002). ‘Building partnerships: Cooperation between the United Nations system and the private sector,’ Report commissioned by the United Nations Global Compact Office, United Nations Department of Public Information: New York.
Ollila E. (2003) ‘Health-related Public–Private Partnerships and the United Nations’, in: B. Deacon, E. Ollila, M. Koivusalo and P. Stubbs (eds.) Global social governance: Themes and prospects, Helsinki: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Department for International Development Cooperation,. pp. 36–73.
Richter J. (2003a) ‘We the peoples’ or ‘we the corporations’? Critical reflections on UN-business ‘partnerships’. Geneva: Geneva Infant Feeding Association/International Baby Food Action Network (GIFA-IBFAN). January.
Richter J. (2003b). Building on quicksand: The Global Compact, democratic governance and Nestlé. Geneva, CETIM, IBFAN/GIFA, Berne Declaration.
Tesner S. and with the cooperation of Georg Kell (2000) The United Nations and business: A partnership recovered, New York: St. Martin's Press.
Utting P. (2000) ‘Business Responsibility for Sustainable Development. Geneva: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD).
Utting P. (2002) ‘The Global Compact and Civil Society: Averting a collision course’, Development in Practice 12(5): 644–647.
Zammit A. (2003) Development at risk: Rethinking UN-business partnerships, Geneva, The South Centre and the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Richter, J. Public–private Partnerships for Health: A trend with no alternatives?. Development 47, 43–48 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.development.1100043
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.development.1100043