Public/Private Sector Leaders meet to Discuss Investment-Centered Development

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A cross-section of government, military and development leaders met to help develop ways of identifying and facilitating NGO and private sector practices that reduce conflict in developing countries.

Hundreds of humanitarian and commercial organizations in the developing world are using investment and market-entry practices that reduce kinetic security requirements while saving money and creating sustainable returns on their investments.

"It's important to help the military and government explore these practices that could be amended into their current contracting process," said Jeb Carney, chairman of League for Hope and symposium host. "If a government contractor or grantee is encouraged to use these, there's a chance that more programs can be accomplished on the ground with less resources going to security."

Continuing a public/private partnership started late last year, called the Counter Conflict™ Partnership, a project of League for Hope, their goal is to identify innovative practices that engage the local stakeholders and increase local capacity that not only reduce the potential for conflict, but also promote western policy interests by maintaining foreign aid and development grants at a time when the need is increasing.

"A key to success will be facilitating cross-organization communication and best practice sharing through a community of practice," said Antonio Oftelie, a fellow at The Technology & Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard. "We're working with Counter Conflict Partnership to develop the framework and tools to accelerate this exchange."

The recommendations from this and other symposia will form the core of a soft power protocol template that will be shared with agencies and military commands working in conflict and post-conflict regions. In addition, the Counter Conflict Partnership is developing a case study in collaboration with centers at Harvard, and a Web-based network and secure portal that contractors, governments, and military can use for governance, communication, and management of contracts using these soft power best practices.

Hosted by League for Hope and co-hosted by Pepperdine School of Public Policy, PSPP Dean James R. Wilburn, and former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Amb. Paula Dobriansky, served as honorary co-chairs. Amb. David Litt of the Center for Stabilization and Economic Reconstruction, Mike Donnelly of NC4, and Antonio Oftelie of Harvard Kennedy School Leadership for a Networked World served as co-chairs. Symposium sponsors included Technologists, Inc., General Dynamics Information Technology, Creative Associates International, and NC4.

CONTACT: Rosalie J. Wyatt, [email protected]

SOURCE League for Hope