9.19.2006 - 09:16pm ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO - Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) will attend the second annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Sept. 20-22, 2006, in New York, where CEO Aron Cramer will present BSR's commitment to enhance women's reproductive health in global supply chains.

"Given that the vast majority of workers in export factories are women aged 18-25, there is a clear and present need to address critical questions related to reproductive health and HIV/AIDS," Cramer said. "BSR is very well-positioned to reach these goals, based on our nearly 15 years experience developing business solutions to pressing global issues and our strong track record of collaboration between business, civil society and the public sector. I am delighted that we can further the impact of this work through involvement with the Clinton Initiative."

CGI is an event that brings together world leaders to discuss and develop workable solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Participants this year include U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Kofi Annan, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, Richard Branson, Al Gore, Lee Scott, and many other dignitaries from business, government, civil society and academia.

In partnership with the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, BSR's project on women's reproductive health in supply chains is based on research conducted in China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the Philippines. The goal is to research the needs faced by women factory workers, identify innovative partnerships between business and civil society to address these needs, and develop information and tools to catalyze greater engagement by the business community on these issues.

"While substantial work has been done to address basic labor conditions in export factories, little of this work has specifically addressed women's health," said Cramer. "Out of this field work, BSR will raise awareness among multinational companies and their contractors, and enable them to participate in collaborative efforts with local organizations to help deliver the critical health services that women need. I hope that the impressive network assembled by President Clinton will enhance the success of this work."

In addition, BSR continues its strategic partnership with the Asian think tank Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT) on the Young Leaders Programme, an innovative leadership training program announced through a commitment at the 2005 CGI. Through life-changing field work, the Young Leaders Programme is a chance for young executives to apply their skills in collaboration with civil society and community organizations on projects that build social capital and knowledge. BSR has partnered with GIFT in the development and delivery of the curriculum. For further information on the YLP, visit www.globalinstitutefortomorrow.org.

BSR will report to President Clinton on the progress made on both of these initiatives throughout the course of the coming year.


About BSR
Since 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has been a leading provider of socially responsible business solutions to many of the world's leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco and with offices in Europe and China, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises. Through advisory services, convenings and research, BSR works with corporations and concerned stakeholders of all types to create a more just and sustainable global economy. For more information, visit www.bsr.org

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