4.20.2004 ET

(CSRwire) GENEVA - To mark the North American launch of its latest report, Doing business with the poor, the WBCSD will host a unique debate on the role of business in poverty alleviation.

"Doing business with the poor" explores how several companies are starting to break into the largest untapped consumer market, i.e. the world's four billion poor people.

There will be a panel discussion with top business leaders and NGO representatives. They will tell us how companies are starting to break into this untapped market of 4 billion people in ways that benefit both the poor and the company.

"Most of the planet's people are poor - between 67% and 78%, depending on figures, so most multinational companies are fiercely competing over a minority of potential customers. That is a spectacular oversight on our part," says the report. "The concept of doing business with the poor could revolutionize the way we do business and the way we think about doing business."

AGENDA - April 26, 2004

6:00 - 7:30pm

Opening remarks by: Björn Stigson, President, WBCSD

Perspectives from:

Lord Holme, Special Advisor to the Chairman, Rio Tinto & Chairman, LEAD International

The panel will be moderated by: Lloyd Timberlake, GrupoNueva

7:30 - 8:00pm
Q & A session

8:00 - 9:00pm
Cocktail reception

VENUE:
United Nations Headquarters in New York
Visitors' Entrance, 1st Avenue & 46th Street
4th Floor, Delegates' Dining Room, Room 6-8

If you wish to join us, please inform Josephine Chennell: chennell@wbcsd.org by April 21, 2004 so that we can organize your security clearance.

For more information please contact:

Thorsten Arndt , WBCSD
+41 (22) 8393 170

More CSR headlines for news category

Community Development

Video, commentary & research for

Community Development