A new policy paradigm: The impact of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on the global policy process

This research examines the effects of public-private partnerships as a new international aid paradigm, and whether public-private partnerships could provide a more effective mediating approach in addressing global policy issues. Public-private partnerships are among new types of non-state actors that are growing in number and frequency. As an emerging model utilized in issue management, public-private partnerships have spurred discussion in multiple sectors on a multitude of current global policy issues. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is a good example of this new type of public-private partnership that has emerged in response to the call specifically set by the Millennium Development Goals in 2000. Given its diffuse management style and significant global financing, the success or failure of the Global Fund in meeting its objectives in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, through its funded programs will, undoubtedly, heavily influence the future role of similar public-private partnerships in influencing how global policymaking is done in many sectors. The Global Fund's role in the global policy process is greatly contributing to the paradigmatic shift in how global policy issues are addressed. It may represent the development of a new policy paradigm for addressing global policy issues that could coexist alongside more traditional efforts, thereby shaping the future of international aid efforts for global policy issues. Public-private partnerships could also further serve to mediate between traditional large-scale development approaches and bottom-up, community-based efforts, creating a third way, or diagonal approach to international development finance.