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Businesss in the Community Strengthens Its Global Partnerships in Africa
Businesss in the Community Strengthens Its Global Partnerships in Africa
Published 01-24-05
Submitted by Business in the Community
chain relationships in Africa
NBI is BITC's partner organisation in South Africa. A business led not
for profit organisation with over 150 companies. NBI has operated for
the last ten years as the leading business coalition focused on the role
of business in sustainable development and is the regional partner of
the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
AICC is a pan African not for profit organisation working to promote
corporate citizenship across Africa. Current programmes include a focus
on the finance sector, competitiveness and innovation with a capacity
building programme for NGO's in 5 African countries and corporate
accountability. AICC has also recently launched the Africa Corproate
Sustainability Forum to provide a focus for responsible business
practice across the continent.
Both organisations actively support New Partnerships for Africa's
Development (NEPAD) which includes a business commitment to:
programmes
economic developments
The partnership between BITC, NBI and AICC will support the delivery of
the objectives of the Commission for Africa which will be reporting
early in 2005. NBI and AICC will also be supporting the Award for
Excellence in corporate citizenship in Africa which will be presented on
July 5th at BITC's annual awards evening at the Albert Hall.
Julia Cleverdon welcomed this partnership as a demonstration of BITC's
commitment to play an active role in the action plan being developed
under the UK chairmanship of G8. She said:
"We know the importance of collaborative action by business and hope
that we can contribute to the development of such networks in Africa.
Many of our member companies have extensive business interests and our
partnership with NBI and AICC will support their efforts to improve the
social, environmental and economic impact of these operations."
Notes to Editors
Media Contacts:
Paul Williams, PR & Press Assistant, Business in the Community, tel:
020 7566 8666, mobile: 077 9325 7200 or email: pawilliams@bitc.org.uk
Peter Kapelus, Chief Executive, AICC, tel: +27 11 643 6604 or email:
paul@aiccafrica.org
Andre Fourie, Chief Executive, NBI, tel: +27 11 482 5100 or email:
andre@nbi.org.za
A Deloitte survey of South African companies released last week showed
that skills and education development was the first priority for
companies, with black economic empowerment in second place. 94% of
companies surveyed have specific budget focused on social programmes
although less than half the respondents officially audited the impact
and success of the investment.
Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member
companies. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support
business in continually improving its positive impact on society.
Together, our member companies employ over 15.7 million people across
200 countries. In the UK, our members employ over 1 in 5 of the private
sector workforce.
Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and
to the continual improvement of the company's impact on society. Our
members commit to:
Further information about Business in the Community can be found at the
website www.bitc.org.uk
