The Transatlantic Experts Group, co-chaired by former U.S. Congressman Jim Kolbe and former French Development Agency (AFD) Chief Executive Officer Jean-Michel Severino and backed by over 40 international experts, was established to contribute to this ongoing dialogue on development partnerships and food security. The Experts Group initially convened in July 2011 and set out to identify and propose transformational partnerships that help drive positive change and lead to scalable programs, based on a shared vision among public and private sector actors, viewed through the lens of food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The Group’s main focus is on understanding the unique characteristics of transformational partnerships in food security in Africa so that they can be scaled up and replicated across the continent. The Experts Group held focused workshops in Washington DC, Brussels and Dar es Salaam and developed a series of principles and policy recommendations to catalyze partnerships.

Transatlantic Experts Group members proposed a “new vision for development, and food security in particular, that is based on transformational partnerships. It envisions partnerships across sectors that involve Africans, transatlantic partners, and stakeholders from around the world. It calls for each actor to have a true stake in a successful outcome, to bring their unique skills to bear, and to accelerate learning and scaling up of the practice of partnerships in development. These principles, recommendations, and lessons collectively aim to chart a new course and help build momentum for the advancement of human progress, starting with food security.” GMF also organized a Congressional staff study tour to Tanzania as part of this effort to build understanding and advance effective aid and trade policies that will enable agriculture development.

Transformational Partnerships: Innovative Approaches to Addressing Food Security in Africa

Transatlantic Expert Group Report: Private Sector Key to Successful Food Security Policies:



Expert Group podcasts:

May 7, 2012
In 8 Minutes or Less: New Partnerships Offer Opportunity to Lift African Farmers out of Poverty

May 7, 2012
In 8 Minutes or Less: Role of Women in African Agriculture must be Elevated

April 23, 2012
In 8 Minutes or Less: The Key Elements to Successful African Agricultural Reform

April 19, 2012
In 8 Minutes or Less: New Agency Gives Fresh Perspective on Ethiopian Agriculture

October 27, 2011
Tanzania Horticultural Association Leads Progress on Food Security Reforms

July 28, 2011
Part 1: How can the public and private sectors cooperate in development?
Part 2: How is U.S. development policy evolving?