3.01.2006 ET

(CSRwire) London -- economie, the international organisation dedicated to the education, promotion and development of socially responsible investment (SRI) worldwide, today announced its global launch. economie was set up with the aim of creating a world where investment with social, environmental and ethical consideration is the universal norm. Through its flagship annual conference, eco6, economie aims to achieve this by raising global awareness and transforming attitudes towards the fast growing economic movements of SRI and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The conference will also encourage experts to make their advice accessible to the public and will demonstrate that ethics and profits go hand in hand and can shape a mass movement for change.

eco6 will be held in Zurich on 9th and 10th October 2006. The conference aims to attract national and multi-national coporations, financial institutions, private investors, financial advisors, charities and NGOs. The themes, "SRI - Just Another Marketing Ploy?" and "CSR - Fact or Fiction", will seek to address attitudes to these economic movements and to promote channels that faciliate social and environmental change.

International speakers include:
Prof. Hans Ruh, Institute for Social Ethics at Zurich University
Amy Domini, Founder of Domini Social Investments
Noreena Hertz, bestselling international author and academic
Deborah Doane, Head Corporate Accountability at the New Economics Foundation
Dr Keith Money, Associate Director of the Centre for Organisation Reputation and Relationships (CORR)
John Renesch, the acclaimed San Francisco based business futurist, bestselling economist
Reino Fridh, Director of the Board of SVN Europe
Frans de Clerck, Triodos Bank Executive and President of INAISE, the international network of social finance organisations

"The financial markets have experienced a difficult time over the last five years and in the U.S, only weapons and oil have shined so it has been particularly tough for the SRI industry," said Amy Domini, Founder of Domini Social Investments, "Companies now know what the social investment world feels that they need to provide and as a result our confidence in the changes that are being made has grown. However, there is still much to do and it is vital that the decisions and investments we make today shape the future of tomorrow and the world in which our grand-children live. eco6 represents a global coming together of practitioners and corporations alike. I hope eco6 will create a dialogue towards our goal of a global community that has the power to demand that the corporate world offers a real alternative for those seeking to make a difference."

economie is made up of global partners, all dedicated to creating a SRI-aware world. As an organisation, economie aims to raise global awareness of SRI by increasing public access to expert SRI advice. Each individual should be able to invest in a way that reflects their personal values and take control over their monetary power in order to build a future where prosperity does not rely on the impoverishment of others, despoiling the environment, or fuelling conflict.

"economie's approach to promoting SRI and CSR is to talk directly to individual investors themselves, as well to interested organisations, be they financial advisors, corporates, or charities," said Brian Harrison Spence, Founder and Development Director of economie. "eco6 is more than simply an investment conference and is the only event to bring together the inextricably linked strands of SRI and CSR, giving delegates 'the bigger picture'. The conference aims to encourage financial institutions to develop a light green approach to all their investment funds. It is essential to establish a permanent international and multi-lateral dialogue between all people in order to shape a world where investment with ethical consideration is the universal norm."

The company offers a variety of services:

The 'economie' watchdog
economie will campaign on an individual's or corporation's behalf should they have any SRI issues or concerns and will help ensure that a satisfactory conclusion has been reached.

Establishing ethical profiles
economie can help companies set up the process that will enable them to operate according to internationally accepted and defined criteria of CSR and SRI.

Finding an SRI financial advisor
economie will help clients to find an appropriate advisor for all SRI and CSR requirements.

Environmental audit service
economie offer members an environmental audit service, whereby the organisation assesses the environmental impact of offices or workplaces and offers practical advice on improvements that could be made in areas such as waste disposal, emissions, recycling and energy efficiency.

About economie
Founded in 2005, economie is an international organisation devoted to creating international awareness and establishing social responsible investment and corporate social responsibility as the norm. Headquartered in London, economie is made up of international partners from 20 countries, including Australia, Argentina and Norway, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, South Africa, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA.
At the heart of the organisation's ethos is the belief that much more can be achieved by working together than by standing apart. For more information, please visit www.economie.co.uk.

On 9th and 10th October 2006, economie will be hosting its flagship event, eco6. eco6 seeks to bring together the world's leading SRI and CSR experts. The conference offers delegates the opportunity to meet, learn from and be inspired by passionate, creative individuals from all corners of the SRI and CSR community. For further information about eco6, please visit www.eco6.co.uk

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