Purpose’s Kevin Steinberg Talks Cross-Sector Collaboration in the Guardian

Purpose’s President and Head of Client Services was featured in the Guardian on Thursday, June 11th.  In the article, Steinberg, argues that solving systemic issues in “health, poverty, education, equality, and environmental sustainability“ requires “a collective response” from “government, business, civil society and the public” acting together.  He presents and examines examples of previous cross sector partnerships that have resulted in positive change, including the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and looks to new efforts tied to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris 2015 Convention on Climate Change.

He gives special attention to the critical need to engage the public.  He writes, “people are being connected across boundaries of geography, culture and language as new technologies, models and organizations help them demand change and take action. Increasingly, citizen involvement is driving governments and negotiators to make difficult choices and adopt needed reforms.”  To illustrate this evolving landscape, he discusses Here Now, a movement accelerator incubated at Purpose that focuses on climate change.

He closes on a related note that encourages readers to act now if they want to see change on these pressing issues.  “In 2015, as the official UN delegates wrestle with climate and development treaties, there is greater opportunity than ever before for ordinary people to be represented with them at the table alongside business, governments and NGOs.  The new cross-sector organizations, approaches and interventions need your support and commitment.  Act now, add your voice and take your seat at the table.”

Read the full article here.