Introduction

Globalisation, digitisation, demographic shifts and mobility are creating a paradox. Collectively, we possess far more knowledge to solve societal problems than ever before. But enormous complexities due to the global nature of issues, and sheer number of active stakeholders, makes it difficult to harness this collective knowledge.

Given these complexities, problems cannot usually be solved by a single player through one activity, be it a government policy or one non-profit campaign. The collective impact of multiple actors is the smarter option, more likely to yield results.

But getting actors to work together effectively is no easy feat! Success factors include: extreme commitment; mutually reinforcing activities; a common agenda; strong governance; continuous sharing; dedicated resourcing; and focussed planning and co-ordination. Given differing structure and priorities at most organisations – from government, to business, and civil society organisations – ticking all these boxes is tough.

That is where The Synergist comes in.

Working with our partners, we act as a neutral backbone organisation. Our independence and dedicated resource on each project means we can help deliver on all success factors, and neutralise the tensions so often inherent in partnerships.

The approach works. We run global programmes to combat Dengue Fever, drive patient engagement in medicines development, and advance the health and wellbeing of mothers, all of which bring together the most relevant actors from healthcare, government, CSOs and business.

We have already made real progress. Successes in 2016, which are described in more detail throughout report, include the beta launch of a ground-breaking Dengue surveillance tool and connecting thousands of key actors in the fight against Dengue. The launch of the first global patient engagement mapping and networking tool includes 130 examples already, while two multi-stakeholder working groups held in late 2016 provide the building blocks for a pioneering patient engagement meta-framework. Meanwhile, out motherhood programme saw us cementing Safe Motherhood Week as a flagship event in the global motherhood agenda, while over 170 members of the European Parliament signed a declaration on universal access to maternal healthcare, which we had spearheaded, representing a first step towards legally binding legislation.

While I am enormously proud of our achievements so far, I feel we are only just getting started. Watch this space!