Similarly, Governments in several Latin American countries have forged successful partnerships with private companies aimed at improving technical education (Alvarez and others, 1999). These partnerships can also help strengthen interactions between agents in the economy. Studies have shown that educating consumers regarding their energy consumption patterns can reduce consumption (by about 11 per cent in the United States, according to one study), by switching from high- to low-energy items (Gardner and Stern, 2008). A United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)-United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) programme focused on training, awareness creation and policy advice has led to significant savings by firms through conservation.