Since 1990, the Non-Governmental Organization PYXERA Global has worked to build up businesses in emerging economies. Their stated goal in this time is to “create(s) groundbreaking partnerships between the public, private, and social sectors.” To do this the NGO partners with a number of companies and governments to create a better living environment for people around the globe. This type of behavior by a Western-based NGO allows for greater global cooperation in a world that appears lacking for it at times.

PYXERA Global started as CDC Development Solutions and was the brainchild of former President George H. W. Bush. Its first work was based in Eastern Europe in the aftermath of the Cold War, and looked “to strengthen the foundation of free society.” Given the years of communism in that region of the world, the Citizens Democracy Corps worked to promote the new market economy and ease the transition of society.

Since that time PYXERA Global has started a number of initiatives that have entailed thousands to work for global development around the world. One of its signature programs is the MBAs Without Borders project. Since 1990, that project has placed over 1,000 advisors with MBAs around the world, encouraging economic development in places like Morocco, Mozambique and Bhutan. The experience helps move economic growth forward in some struggling communities and benefits the advisors in giving them hands-on, useful experience.

The U.S. Center for Civilian Diplomacy grew out of the first efforts proposed by President Bush in 1990 into another of PYXERA Global’s signature programs. The Center has done work in the Middle East, fostering Arab/American business relations and allowing Americans to connect with foreigners through modern technology. This is an important aspect for foreign nations that may have only had contact with United States officials and judge the nation based on that.

The Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism (CEIV) is another foundation spurred on by PYXERA Global. CEIV works close with USAID to set up volunteer missions in emerging markets, with close relationships with corporations supplying the volunteers. IBM in particular has been an important partner in this program as they have allowed volunteers from their consulting, finance, marketing and sales teams. A corporate partner like IBM as one of the world’s largest technology service providers shows the global clout that PYXERA is wielding.

The various programs that PYXERA encourages give a great alternative work for foreign assistance in developing nations. Organizations like the Borgen Project encourage this type of assistance and see it as a key method for ending global poverty. PYXERA Global is taking an innovative drive towards economic development and has improved many people’s lives as a result.

In early April PYXERA Global hosted a Forum on the relationship of the public and private sectors in affording “healthier lives for more of the world’s population.” The forum helped deliver the message of what PYXERA Global is doing and how they hope to change the world. Hopefully their message will be received and the public/private relationship can be used to greater effectiveness in ending global poverty.

– Eric Gustafsson

Sources: PYXERA Global, 3BL Media, Idealist
Photo: PYXERA