Cross-sector collaboration between different stakeholder groups (‘partnership’) is a sustainable development approach that is here to stay. But to maximise its significant potential, it urgently requires more attention and less rhetoric. On September 25th 2006 at the international Partnering Event held in the UK, 130 frontline partnership practitioners – representing government, business and civil society – launched The Partnership Declaration as a direct challenge to sector leaders, policy makers and the donor community. The Partnership Declaration urges a substantial shift in thinking, practice and policy frameworks based on the realities of implementing partnerships on the ground.