Within the context of the World Summit (WSIS), one may distinguish at least three different aspects or influences concerning MSPs that are inter-related.
A first aspect is that currently important donor states are more willing to contribute as partners in MSPs than contribute to a fund. This is quite clearly the position of the European Union and Switzerland at the WSIS.
A second aspect is a recent trend to encourage public-private partnerships (PPP). Only very recently some governments have enacted legislations that are giving legal frameworks to PPPs. Civil Society has been criticizing some aspects of the PPPs.
A third perspective has been offered by the Civil Society, mostly by the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), which did participate to the WSIS process mostly through the ICT4D Platform.

• Diplomatic Positions of some Governments at the WSIS and in preparation of PrepCom1.
• Some perspectives among Civil Society before PrepCom1.

As a result of recommendations in favour of Partnerships in the WSIS Plan of Action, the WSIS secretariat has been placing an open call to organizations from all sectors participating in the Summit to forward information regarding partnership initiatives ( WSIS secretariat call ) In this call, are included the following Partnerships Guiding Principles

• 1)Objective of partnerships Partnerships for the Information Society are specific commitments by various partners intended to contribute to and reinforce the implementation of the outcomes of the intergovernmental negotiations of the WSIS (Plan of Action and Declaration of Principles) and to help achieve the further implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
• 2) Voluntary nature/respect for fundamental principles and values Partnerships are of a voluntary, `self-organizing' nature; they are based on mutual respect and shared responsibility of the partners involved, taking into account the U.N principles and the values expressed in the Millennium Declaration.
• 3) Link with globally agreed outcomes Partnerships are to complement the intergovernmentally agreed outcomes of WSIS. They are not intended to substitute commitments made by governments. Rather they should serve as mechanisms for the delivery of the globally agreed commitments by mobilizing the capacity for producing action on the ground.
• 4) Multi-stakeholder approach Partnerships should have a multi-stakeholder approach and preferably involve a range of significant actors in a given area of work. They can be arranged among any combination of partners, including governments, regional groups, local authorities, non-governmental actors/civil society, international institutions and private sector partners.
• 5) New/value added partnerships Partnerships should be either developed within the framework of the WSIS process or, in case of on-going partnerships, present a significant added value in the context of the WSIS (e.g. more partners taken on board, replicating an initiative or extending it to another geographical region, increasing financial resources, etc.)
• 6) Tangible Results Each partnership should define its intended outcome and benefits. Partnerships should have clear objectives and set specific measurable targets and timeframes for their achievement. All partners should explicitly commit to their role in achieving the aims and objectives of the partnerships.
• 7) Funding arrangements Available and /or expected sources of funding should be identified. At least the initial funding should be assured at the time of the first or second phase of the Summit, if the partnership is to be recognized there.

As a result of the WSIS (Phase I), a Task Force on Financing Mechanims has been established. See this WSIS-FINANCE WG page for more information.