The United States' Department of State (DOS) has an innovative program that strives to mobilize resources beyond those that the government can provide. This program was initiated with the realization that the government does not have the funds needed to carry out mine action initiatives in the long run. The DOS decided to turn their attention to developing resources from the private sector. When prompted to use their resources in a proper manner, there are enough resources to solve the landmine problem worldwide. Ms. Hopkins stressed that people and organizations do care; they just need some encouragement to get involved. Some of the different groups to target as possible partners in mine action are service organizations, corporations, private industries and individuals through such constructs as churches, schools, rotary clubs, boy scouts or girl scouts.

The first step in gaining any partnership is public awareness. In countries without mines, society is blissfully unaware of the threat that mines impose. Once people become aware, they engage in serious ways. Ms. Hopkins urged the participants to start easy by encouraging activist groups that already exist to adopt mine action as their cause. In some cases, organizations just want to help; in other cases, it suits them and their cause to help out. Either way, it is important to let these groups know what mine action priorities are, how they can divert funds and how to get their dollars to the appropriate channels.

One of the goals of a partnership program is to create awareness of mine action as a vehicle to fundraising. Ms. Hopkins warned that awareness is not a means onto itself, but a means to an end. It is necessary to seek partnerships with organizations that already have connections deep into civil society and a track record of action. With groups with these qualities, all you need to do is provide the spark, they will fuel themselves. Ms. Hopkins commented that in her office, they like to say that their product is networking and their goal is to work themselves out of a job. Her office is only made up of three full time staff members, and one part time so when they can encourage someone else to take on the cause, they do. It is important to include high visibility potential donors such as heads of NGOs. When working with delegations, it is easy to achieve a great deal. In many cases, organizations will have already had long standing plans to visit different countries. It is important to try to tie those delegations to some mine action themes.

One important key to effective private/public partnerships is that they have to be bi-partisan. Landmines should not be a political issue. That is very important in ensuring success. The DOS now has 40 partner organizations. A few huge success stories have been the partnerships with Night of 1,000 Dinners, Rotary International, People to People International and the South Florida Mine Action Group.