Strongly agree with Sam that the need to keep our eye on tackling corruption is also essential - very difficult in many cases given the scale and urgency of the challenge, plus the many initiatives underway - but it needs to be addressed. Again building on existing anti-corruption efforts, trav=cking technologies and other models that were being tested before the pandemic can help in this area. WEF’s Principles Against Corruption (PACI) is doing some good work in this area. https://www.weforum.org/communities/partnering-against-corruption-initiative
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How have businesses in your coalitions or communities pivoted to creating revenue in ethical ways, from the pandemic? Or perhaps contributed in ways other than direct funding?
In Zambia, a couple of case studies are:
ZamBrew (who produce beer and alcoholic spirits) have switched some of their production lines to producing hand sanitiser, which can be distributed through their existing systems. Pictured.
Business has often been more efficient that the NGO sector. All of us working in LMICs know that there are many villages where you can’t find water but you can buy a beer or a coke. It’s time to mobilise those resources for good.
ZamBeef, a food production company has provided a huge donation but instead of throwing money at the problem, they are utilising their 100 retail outlets to distribute the free food to at-risk communities.
Would love to hear more good news stories like this to counter the “business is only price-hiking” narrative.
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On the theme of building on what’s already working - one (of several!) reports distilling learning from existing national-level partnership platforms is available here
The Senegal Ministry of Health (MoH) requested support from PATH and the Bayer Foundation to use its existing malaria project resources in the fight against Covid-19. PATH looked at how it could use its network of well-trained community champions to address community education on the virus.
These health volunteers will be at the forefront of a newer project which aims to help slow the spread of the virus. They will go door-to-door to help people in a rural community to protect themselves and prevent spread of the virus using materials developed jointly with the health authorities.
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I agree - it is important to be more specific about different platforms and how they work as processes. Can’t just copy and paste, but can take lessons and ideas to adapt to local circumstances. Our brief mentioned only ‘collaboration’ and perhaps an initial question should have been how to define this idea…
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We (Sophia Oxford / OPHI) are hearing from Governments that they need help with multidimensional poverty measurement and targeting - because they note that if they do not actively target and follow through to the neediest then the stimulus will go to the middle class and better connected as was already seen in the USA with small business loans. At the same time governments can no longer do household surveys and are therefore going data blind and need help from companies.
I agree. There is always the temptation to start something new rather than build on something that already exists. And pros and cons for each approach. But aligning with established business coalitions and piggy backing on their learning will be helpful
In the last five minutes of our LIVE portion of this discussion - what is the one call to action or point that really stands out for you?
One example is that companies are repurposing and using their production and innovation capabilities for new things. Bayer Mexico produces and donates sanitizers and face shields and a converted 3D printer in Lerma, Mexico, is now producing transparent face shields. Bayer donates both to hospitals, health centers and other health facilities in the country.
From a really practical perspective, companies are responding to specific needs. For healthcare professionals, face masks, gloves and frequent hand washing are impacting their skin. Bayer is donating Bepanthen to over 100,000 healthcare professionals via NGOs and government institutions in 25 countries to help with these skin conditions.
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H&M has started making PPE for hospitals using their existing suppliers win/win.
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One call to action for some of the national coalitions that have been established and the existing business organizations - how do we continue to work together to strengthen health systems; food systems; financial systems; and energy systems - and above all, to ensure that respect for human rights is central to collective efforts.
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Call to action: act quickly, with humility, be flexible, learn fast, connect to what already exists
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I would say that tripartite agreements as in Scandinavia reflects a collaborative platform, whereas occasional consultation with business associations and trade unions as in the UK, does not… see my comment on ‘in consultation with’ versus ‘after consultation with’
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One size doesn’t fit all and using the platforms and collaborations already in place…
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Digikaal.com Iran’s largest online retailer has for example waived all fess and charges and offered to bear the logistics costs for businesses who have been hit by the crisis and who would like to use our market place to reach customers online.
Ofogh Kurosh operator of around 1200 small markets nationwide has extended a large discount to gift cards provided by Nafas Campaign to poor families and people who have lost their earnings due to the crisis
Two Iranian examples of many of our members offering free or subsidized products
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Thank you to everyone for joining today, and for all your insights. We are pulling together a toolkit on national collaboration platforms, and we’ll draw on this discussion.
On a personal note, I’ve been inspired to see the level of collaboration during this crisis - including between collaboration platforms that can often be very competitive. I hope we can continue this spirit of joining forces as we move from responding to COVID-19 to building back better.
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Thank you so much for everyone for your contributions and input. This is the end of the LIVE portion of this discussion.
There will be a summary Insight Paper and Action Toolkit - sign up here:
Thank you for a great chat across continents. For more on what we’re doing as a coalition in Zambia, we’ve created a slide deck for partners:
It explains a little about our governance structure, balancing the health of the community with the economic health our companies & our country.
Thanks again and good luck.
Stay safe, stay sane!
Sam
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