There is an increasing tendency on the part of international development players to redefine their relationships as "partnerships." This paper explores the concept of development partnerships, particularly those formed for the benefit of children. A discussion of the differences in the context, form and substance of the discourses and settings in which partnership is used provides a framework for fixing a more precise meaning for the concept in the domain of development partnerships. The concept of partnership in general and its features and dimensions are considered, and then the specific features and dimensions of development partnerships are detailed, with an exploration of the perceptions of various players. The paper then discusses practical implications of partnership building, and deals with the debate on whether children should be direct beneficiaries of development projects. The role of cultural differences in the forging and maintenance of partnerships is also considered. (JPB)