The discussion did not explicitly address this question as much as the others, other than to say that all partners should determine partnership indicators of success, and implying that one essential indicator is the fair sharing of benefits among all partners. Seen together with the previous section and other sections related to the balance of power behind most relationships, it seems that the discussion did provide some answers. In addition to addressing the initial questions, contributors also discussed some of the operational features and concerns of partnerships. The fact that decisions are harder to make when there are multiple and legitimate agendas to be considered. The amount of time and energy necessary to negotiate, plan together, and gain consensus is a cost of partnership that is only recovered in the long run - in sustainable, mutual success.
Different contexts determine the ease or the difficulty with which partnerships can be established.
Transparent ethical and operational standards and accountability processes are needed in order for each partner to demonstrate the capability and ethical commitment to assess its own interests and dependencies, as well as those of the others. A partnership is not a kind of task or work that can be accomplished once for ever. It is a long dynamic process of cultivation and evolution.