Editor, When the world leaders met at 69th session of the UN General Assembly last month, one of the discussions was on the new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations working group charged with developing the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agenda early came up with its final proposal, which included a set of 17 goals and 169 targets. Upon agreement by member states, the SDGs will come into effect in 2015, after the expiration of the MDGs. Whether or not the MDGs have been a success is subject to debate; what is clear, though, is that they have helped in speeding up development, improving the quality of life and enhancing public-private partnerships. The corporate sector contributes towards Rwanda’s development agenda, and interestingly enough, local, regional and global development plans have accommodated roles and responsibilities for private sector participation. Vision 2020 clearly acknowledges the need for private sector participation to transform Rwanda into a middle income economy by 2020. Corporate social investment should not be viewed shallowly as ‘‘giving back to community” but as contributing towards Rwanda’s overall development agenda. It is vital for corporate foundations to build proactive long term and meaningful engagement models and move away from only intervening during emergencies such as drought, floods and famine. The strength of corporate partnership in supporting public goals such as education, maternal health, child health, peace and justice can be transformational for Rwanda. Barack Oduor
