» Other key partners

Strengthening countries’ capacities to develop strong and prosperous societies requires cooperation among a large network of partners – that is why partnership is at the centre of all UN work. In addition to government and donors, UN agencies work closely with the private sector, civil society, academia and the media. The UN uses its global presence to bring together partners from many different backgrounds to share expertise and explore joint ventures.

The private sector is playing an increasing role in UN programmes and projects. By seeking innovative public-private solutions, the UN looks to match company interests with country priorities and appropriate development partners. For example, Western Union co-funded the building of a school in Zapod Commune, Kukes, and financed five e-schools in Albania. Other creative partnerships come in the form of free advocacy. Malev airlines agreed to join the growing number of organizations who support the Millennium Development Goals Campaign in Albania, by printing messages and information on their ticket envelopes, and including special inserts with tickets. AMC is partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN to produce a Fact Book on Albania. Business partners of the UN must support UN causes, principles and core values and carry out responsible business practices in order to be eligible for partnership and collaboration. 

The private sector can provide direct opportunities to reduce poverty, create unemployment and develop local industries. The UN is involved in a regional project Growing Sustainable Business, along with Bosnia and Herzogivina, FYR Macedonia and Moldova, which encourages public-private partnerships and investments that respond to local needs.

So far, 35 companies and organizations in Albania are members of the Global Compact, an initiative spearheaded by the United Nations, supporting fundamental social values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption.

The UN has a close partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) given their prominent role in helping to shape poverty reduction policies and in delivering projects on the ground. The UN is working with the government and civil society organizations to help connect grassroots and citizens’ groups and other stakeholders around common development concerns – by including civil society participation in national and local policy processes.

The media has an irreplaceable role in sharing information, encouraging debate and delivering messages to the general public. Therefore, the UN makes a special effort to involve the media in its work – in awareness campaigns, and in providing opportunities to discuss development issues such as the human development approach, the environment, security, gender equality, and many others. Discussions tend to focus on how to make development issues part of daily reporting, and have included both journalists and editors-in-chief.

In Albania, the UN works closely with academia, and has assisted with the establishment of a new Gender and Development Master’s programme at the University of Tirana. The UN is also working closely with Alfred Moisiu University in Durres as part of the Brain Gain programme, attracting qualified Albanian professors from abroad and providing students an opportunity to learn from this talent base.