IBLF works with the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, to promote and explore how companies can enhance the contribution they make to sustainable development. Many of IBLF's directors and program leaders work regularly in the USA. We are proud that Jane Nelson, an internationally recognized leader in business responsibility issues and a Senior Fellow and Director of the CSR Initiative at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as a Brookings fellow, is also a director of the IBLF. In 2001 Jane worked in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and now works as our Director of Business Strategy & Leadership.
New York, July 10 2007
Engagement in the social and economic challenges of poor communities and developing countries demands leadership from the top and business models that recognise a win-win in corporate citizenship.
This was the theme of an IBLF event in New York (10 July 2007) to recognise IBLF's North America leadership, and mark an increase in IBLF partnerships with North American corporations, communications partners and non-profit organisations.
"Global brands bring global responsibilities," according to John Brock, CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, "and corporate responsibility and sustainability is right from a business and community perspective." He pointed out the relevance of voluntary codes such as the agreement on marketing of soft drinks in the school environment, where mindful of obesity risks, distributors and manufacturers had agreed to phase out all school distribution.
"Engagement in improving labour standards, for example in the global toy industry, must have leadership from the top," said Alan Hassenfeld, chairman of private family business Hasbro Inc. He cited the example of the toy industry voluntary code that now covers manufacturers with over one million workers mainly in China.
Click for more information.
Above: IBLF CEO Adam Leach and the 2008 WBDA winners.
IBLF hosts and partners on events throughout the year all around the world, illustrating the role business can play in the development agenda.
Below are some of the events we have held in the U.S.
Below are some of the events we have held in the U.S.
The World Business and Development Awards, a collaboration between IBLF, the International Chambers of Commerce and the United Nations Development Program, recognized ten private companies for their work in improving the lives of the world's most disadvantaged people.
From a family-owned soybean business in Ghana, to one of the leading telecommunications companies in the Philippines, these firms prove that making a profit and 'doing the right thing' are not mutually exclusive.
Held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullahof Jordan and Senegal's President, Abdoulaye Wade, the Award ceremony was part of the special focus on the Millennium Development Goals during the opening week of the United Nation's General Assembly in New York.
The World Business and Development Awards showcase creative initiatives by corporations, large and small, who apply their core business expertise to world-wide efforts to achieve the MDGs. In total, this year's winners improved the lives of millions of poor people across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
From a family-owned soybean business in Ghana, to one of the leading telecommunications companies in the Philippines, these firms prove that making a profit and 'doing the right thing' are not mutually exclusive.
Held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullahof Jordan and Senegal's President, Abdoulaye Wade, the Award ceremony was part of the special focus on the Millennium Development Goals during the opening week of the United Nation's General Assembly in New York.
The World Business and Development Awards showcase creative initiatives by corporations, large and small, who apply their core business expertise to world-wide efforts to achieve the MDGs. In total, this year's winners improved the lives of millions of poor people across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
