In the last week, I've travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town to Addis Ababa. Along the way, I've been struck over and over again by the ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and innovation of the people I have met -- from townships to capital cities, from villages to major metropolises. Innovation parks are taking a place next to factories, investment banks next to mobile phone banking kiosks, and internet startups next to mom-and-pop store fronts. As I touched down in Ethiopia for the World Economic Forum on Africa, I was struck by the thought: Africa is emerging.
Buoyed by a decade of growth and bullish predictions for the future, Africa is on track to become the next big investment destination. The Economist indicates that six of the… more »
How donor grants may unlock billions of investment dollars for impact enterprise.
In 2010, JP Morgan released a figure that shocked the investment industry: the group estimated that the potential capital market for impact investing -- putting dollars into enterprises that would deliver positive social impact -- was between $400 billion and $1 trillion. Buoyed by the success of the microfinance revolution, philanthropists, governments, entrepreneurs and investors began in earnest to see how else they could do well by doing good.
Impact investors have surged forward with capital, ready to support the pioneering entrepreneurs creating fortunes and development gains at the base of the pyramid (BoP). There are now 200 impact investment entities poised to pour billions of dollars into impact enterprises in the next year. They have cast wide nets, but it… more »
Today at the State Department in Washington, D.C., we are convening leaders across sectors and continents to discuss how we can work together to contribute to an impact economy by developing and deploying cutting-edge business and financial models that generate financial returns and positive social and environmental change. During our travels around the world, we have seen different institutions trying to address the same issue through disconnected programs -- be it lack of skilled workers, sustainable supply chains, infrastructure, or the rising cost of natural resources. We know that government alone cannot solve these challenges -- not in the best of times and certainly not in austere times; nor can business or civil society. We need to leverage and align the assets… more »
Kris Balderston, Special Representative for Global Partnerships, will hold a conversation with Kirsty Jenkinson, Director, Markets & Enterprise Program, World Resources Institute on "Investing with Impact: Building Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow." The conversation will highlight how government and business are working together to promote lasting change and innovation around the globe. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available for on demand… more »
Last weekend in Tunis, Secretary Clinton made a powerful statement supporting the revolutions that continue to impact North Africa and the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on backing the Syrian people in their ongoing struggle for freedom. One particular moment in her remarks stood out to me, which was her praise for the people of Tunisia, where the revolutions were first sparked. She said, "I think it was quite remarkable, especially on such short notice -- and thanks to Tunisian leadership and Arab League leadership -- that all of us gathered here today reached consensus."
I saw this same leadership firsthand when the Global Partnership Initiative hosted the Tunisia Partnerships… more »
At more than 200 embassies and consulates around the world, U.S. diplomats work to strengthen U.S. economic leadership and advance U.S. economic and business interests. Whether advocating for the purchase of U.S.-made planes and trains or protecting U.S. companies' intellectual property, or confronting trade and investment barriers that limit whole industries' ability to compete, economic and commercial diplomacy is one of the Department of State's core functions. This work to promote U.S. business overseas increases U.S. exports, attracts new investment to the United States, and ultimately creates American jobs and strengthens the U.S. economy.
As part of this effort, Secretary Clinton is hosting the State Department Global Business Conference February 21-22, 2012. For the first… more »
This week, I joined the White House in honoring 14 leaders in American diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa as Champions of Change. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the United States, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.
Prior to the event, I had the pleasure of hosting these remarkable individuals for lunch at the State Department, with support from the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA). Throughout our lunchtime conversation, I was continually struck by the passion, expertise, insight, and personal commitment of each and every Champion,… more »
In the midst of the political and economic revolutions and evolutions of the Arab Spring, there is a theme emerging. It isn't as popular to talk about as the power of social media for mobilization, and it hasn't received the same media coverage as the crowds in city squares across the Middle East and North Africa, but it's a vital part of what is happening in our world.
As venture capitalist Craig Hanson so aptly stated in the San Jose Mercury News, "Entrepreneurship is the next phase of the Arab Spring."
We talked about Craig's message a great deal yesterday when we hosted the 25 entrepreneurs from Jordan who accompanied His Majesty King Abdullah II on his visit to meet with President Obama this week. At a luncheon here at the State Department, we connected these… more »
As we look back on 2011, it is inspiring to know that women have been on the frontlines of so many transformative events that have changed our world. From participating in peaceful protests in Tahrir Square, to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, women have been an indisputable force for progress. As we move into 2012, however, we must step up efforts to ensure that women's progress continues to flourish and address the challenges that remain.
We made a major push in 2011 to coalesce U.S. government and international commitment in support of women as peacemakers and peace-builders. This effort culminated in the release of the U.S. National Action Plan (NAP) on Women,… more »
In 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton continued to champion cross-sectoral partnerships as a cornerstone of her 21st Century Statecraft. In support of her priorities, the Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) focused on four flagship initiatives last year:
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
Over the past year, our work on clean cookstoves has continued to thrive. In 2011, we built the Alliance infrastructure and strategic base, launched major communications initiatives, and began a wide range of operational priorities, much of which was either led by the U.S. government or made possible because of our strong commitment.
May 23: The State Department, through its office of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is pleased to announce $1.5 million in funding to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to support open governance and political participation in the Middle East and North Africa. more »
May 23: Today, Russia was invited to join the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) at a ceremony hosted by its parent body, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. ã more »
![In this photo taken, Nov. 8, 2011, a woman poses with her Blackberry mobile phone in Johannesburg. The woman says she cherishes her phone as a link to family and friends, and also sees it as a radio, a library, a mini cinema, a bank teller, and more. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0510_africa_innovation_m.jpg)
![Special Representative for Global Partnerships Kris Balderston introduces U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the first-ever Global Impact Economy Forum at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 2012. [State Department photo by Ben Chang/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0426_clinton_balderston_m.jpg)
![Replay: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Global Impact Economy Forum at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., at 10:30 a.m. EDT on April 26, 2012. [State Department image/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/GIE_507_Replay_m.jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks with civil society members in Tunisia. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0229_clinton_tunisia_m.jpg)
![Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Jose Fernandez addresses students at Carlos III University, in Madrid, Spain, on September 30, 2011. [State Department file photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0221_fernandez_panel_m.jpg)
![Composite image of leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa, recognized as Champions of Change by the White House on January 30, 2012. [White House photos]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0204_champions_hoa_m.jpg)
![Attendees of the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship listen as President Barack Obama speaks, April 26, 2010, in Washington. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0118_young_entrepeneurs_m.jpg)
![Participants in an event hosted by UN Women on women and politics, including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, pose for a photograph during the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sept. 19, 2011. [State Department photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0920_women_politics_unga_m.jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Chef José Andrés, Culinary Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 2011. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0913_clinton_chef_andres_m.jpg)
