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Spreading The Art Of Making Powerful Positive Media

05.25.2012 - 11:28AM

Intent on spreading good ideas and positive media around the globe, Actuality Media is kicking off a three-country Central America summer tour just a week after becoming a Certified B Corporation^TMand just two weeks before finding out if the company will be honored by Go Abroad as an innovative new program in the study abroad field.

The Summer Outreaches start with a return to Guatemala, filming for the first time in the mountain city of Quetzaltenango – a city full of nonprofits, social entrepreneurs and other changemakers that will no doubt herald many return visits in years to come. Afterwards the staff head to Costa Rica for the first time to meet up with new crews looking to film eco-centered changemakers. Last of the summer will be a return to Nicaragua for the first outreach in León, a once war-torn northern city.

Though Actuality Media is happy to embody a drive to change the world with international outreaches and other programs, the organization has gone a step further to become a Certified B Corporation^TM. B Corporations are a new kind of company which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems; companies that meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. As of January 2012, there are over 515 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace, and we are glad to join their ranks.

While the Actuality Media staff are on the ground in Guatemala, they will be eagerly awaiting news at the end of May from the GoAbroad Innovation Awards ceremony at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Annual Conference in Houston, Texas. Actuality Media is currently honored to be listed amongst several other great programs as finalists in the Innovative New Program – Internship category.

Actuality Media is a social enterprise that creates positive media. Actuality Media outreaches take top students to developing communities around the world to produce short documentaries that tell stories that matter about changemakers working to solve chronic social problems. For more information visit www.actualitymedia.org.

Barrick Delivers $13 Billion in Economic Value Added in 2011

05.25.2012 - 10:43AM

Barrick Gold Corporation’s operations added $13 billion in economic value to its host countries in 2011, up from more than $9 billion a year earlier. This figure includes local and regional purchases, employee salaries, taxes and royalties and $47 million in community investments to improve quality of life.

“At Barrick, we recognize that our business has a significant economic impact and can be a catalyst for positive social change,” said Barrick President and CEO Aaron Regent. “Our approach is to create shared value for our shareholders and for the people whose resources we are developing in more than a dozen countries worldwide. While Barrick’s contribution to developing economies is often most evident, we also see this strong impact in places like Nevada, where the gold mining industry has been a bright spot through tough economic times.”

Currently, about 45 percent of Barrick’s global gold production is from North America, primarily from Nevada. The company’s contribution to the state’s economy is featured in the May edition of Beyond Borders magazine. While Nevada led the U.S. in unemployment during the recession, the mining industry was one of the few sources of job creation. As Barrick expands its presence in the state, it is continuing to create jobs and generate new opportunities for hundreds of Nevada businesses. Barrick employs more than 5,000 people at its Nevada operations, and expects to add about 330 new employees this year, after hiring a similar number in 2011. In 2012, the company is allocating about 45 percent of its $450 million to $490 million overall exploration budget to North America, the majority for Nevada. That represents a substantial increase over last year’s exploration spend in the state.

“We announced a major discovery in Nevada last year, which has the potential to be one of the most significant gold discoveries of the last number of decades,” Regent said. “As we develop this discovery, and continue to build our existing business, we believe Barrick has a significant role to play as Nevada continues on its path to recovery.”

Earlier this year, Barrick also announced the establishment of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Advisory Board and named five individuals to serve as inaugural members. The Advisory Board’s role is to provide advice and guidance to Barrick management on the company’s global CSR performance and evolving best practices. The Board held its first meeting in April in Toronto, which included discussions on the environment, safety and health, community relations and security and human rights.

The latest edition of Beyond Borders also provides an update on the company’s $5 million project to support the rebuilding effort in several Chilean communities devastated by a massive earthquake in 2010. In March, a ceremony was held in the town of Boyeruca to celebrate the reopening of a school destroyed during the earthquake. It is one of three schools that Barrick helped rebuild in communities in Chile’s coastal region of Maule. In nearby Vichuquén, Barrick is contributing funds for the reconstruction of 24 houses that are designated historic sites and the town’s city hall.

In Peru, Barrick recently inaugurated the Alto Chicama Commitment, a new CSR initiative that brings together government and non-governmental organizations working with the company in the La Libertad region. Barrick’s partners in the program include World Vision, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Sodexo Foundation, the BBVA Foundation, Wayra SRL, the Apoyo Institute, the Alternative Farming Institute and Exporting Highlands. While Barrick has been working with each organization individually to improve education, farming and small business development, this collaboration will allow the organizations to leverage their combined expertise and efforts to maximize benefits for local communities.

The Alto Chicama Commitment builds on the success of the Atacama Commitment, a public-private sector alliance initiated by Barrick in 2008 to alleviate poverty in Chile’s Atacama region. One of the many noteworthy programs being implemented under that initiative is a $6.5 million housing project that Barrick is undertaking with its partner A Roof for Chile. In all, 700 new homes are being built for 1,200 people currently living in substandard housing. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed this summer.

In Tanzania, African Barrick Gold (ABG) recently signed Village Benefit Agreements (VBAs) with all seven villages near the company’s North Mara mine, marking a key milestone in a plan to improve community relations with its neighbors. The VBAs provide for an $8.5 million investment in the villages over a three-year period. They are a key component of the North Mara Co-existence plan, whose goal is to build trust, improve relations with local villages and address long-standing legacy issues at this operation.

Beyond Borders also includes an update on the ABG Maendeleo Fund. The fund is the largest corporate community development fund in Tanzania with an annual budget of $10 million.

About Barrick

Barrick Gold Corporation is a Toronto-based gold mining company and industry leader, with a portfolio of 26 operating mines, and projects on five continents. Barrick trades on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges and employs 25,000 people worldwide. The company has been ranked as a world leader in social and environmental responsibility for the fourth consecutive year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Barrick is also listed on the NASDAQ Global Sustainability Index of the top 100 companies.

About Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders magazine is published by Barrick Gold Corporation and features the latest news and updates on Barrick’s social, environmental, safety and economic development programs.

Learn more at www.BarrickBeyondBorders.com.

You can also follow Barrick on Twitter and Barrick on Facebook.

US Department of Energy Green Button Program Spurs Smart Apps

05.24.2012 - 09:00AM

The winners of the US Department of Energy's “Apps for Energy” Challenge were announced this week, and New York based VELObill by Zerofootprint, Inc. won 3^rd place as the leading app for utility bill visualization. As of today, it is also the lead contender for the popular vote category. There is still time to cast your Public Vote for VELObill through May 31.

Software developers were invited to submit web and mobile apps to help consumers save energy in coordination with the US Department of Energy’s Green Button Challenge, launched in January. The program first urged utilities and energy service providers to standardize energy usage data for their customers in a simple downloadable format, known as a “Green Button.” The hope was that easy access to energy usage would enable consumers to manage their consumption and make more informed decisions. It’s a good example of American ingenuity. To date, energy utilities that signed up for the Green Button serve over 30 million US homes.

Green Button’s energy data formatting sparked a wave of creativity among futurists, visionaries and “App” developers that is quickly changing how Americans think about energy. For Dr. Ron Dembo, CEO and Chief Architect of American software company Zerofootprint, this translates to reducing our carbon footprint. “It is time for an “occupy energy” movement, so where better to start than to know and understand what we use?” said Dembo, who authored VELObill. “By standardizing our energy data, Green Button is revolutionizing an antiquated industry and putting consumers in the driver’s seat.”

Karen Austin, PG&E’s chief information officer, was among the panel of experts who picked the winning energy apps in the US Department of Energy’s Apps for Energy competition. “VELObill makes it easy and rewarding to use Green Button data,” she said. “With just a few clicks, consumers can view their utility usage, measure whether it is high or low, compare it to that of their peers and examine ways to save money.

Test drive VELObill and cast your Public Vote for “Best Energy App”

Zerofootprint developed VELObill: Utility Bill of the Future, specifically for Green Button application. Beyond its engaging, user-friendly interface, a unique feature of VELObill is its cross-platform, which combines Green Button data with other sources allowing peer-to-peer benchmarking and healthy competition. You get your entire energy picture – how much you spent on gas, water and electricity, whether it is up or down from last period, how you compare to your peers and what you could save – all in 30 seconds. Then, it goes a step further to show how to save, who can provide help, and then offers tools to manage your plan of action. More about VELObill: Utility Bill of the Future, from Zerofootprint.

The company invites the public to test drive VELObill, share your comments on Twitter and cast your Public Vote by May 31.

VELObill Test Drive directions:

Go to http://greenbutton.sit.zfp.ca:8080/results/dashboard. Click on "Measure Me" in the lower left nav. Once you arrive, create a demo location in the blue panel on the left. Enter this profile info:

Location Name: My House
ZIP Code: 94920
Peer Group: My Friends
Size: 2000 Sq. Ft.
Occupants: 2
Heating Type: Electricity
Water Heating Type: Fuel

Submit an email and invent a password. Lastly, fill in the following utility account information:

Utility Provider: Pacific Gas and Electric
Utility Number: 9594300521-8
Utility Password: Footprint

For more information, please contact: Zerofootprint Inc., 817 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003.

CSX to Welcome EDF Climate Corps Fellow to Help Improve Energy Efficiency

05.23.2012 - 04:58PM

For the third consecutive year, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) will welcome an MBA student from Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Climate Corps summer fellowship program to help the company identify ways to improve energy and cost efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The EDF Climate Corps program brings CSX’s brightest minds together with tomorrow’s leaders to solve problems to the benefit of our employees, customers and communities,” said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president, environmental systems and sustainability. “CSX’s participation in this innovative program is an important part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and helps us achieve our emissions reduction goals.”

In 2011, CSX and the EDF Climate Corps fellow analyzed air compressors at rail yard facilities and the CSX Data Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Together, the team identified potential cost savings of more than $1.2 million and greenhouse gas emissions savings of nearly 3,000 metric tons annually. The 2010 partnership identified annual savings of more than $160,000, 1.5 million kWh of electricity (enough to power 140 homes), and 940 metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of removing 150 SUVs from the road.

This year, CSX’s EDF Climate Corps fellow will work with the company’s environmental and operations teams to develop a program to educate employees about how to save energy. The fellow will also conduct an energy audit of the Waycross, Georgia facility, including evaluating the energy efficiency of air compressors powering the yard’s operations.

“CSX’s renewed participation in EDF Climate Corps supports our goal of making aggressive energy efficiency the norm in organizations across America,” said Victoria Mills, managing director, EDF. “Working with companies like CSX for multiple years allows us to dive deeper into their energy management practices, and recommend solutions that deliver lasting energy savings.”

“Participating in the EDF Climate Corps program supports CSX’s overall sustainability strategy and environmental stewardship goals,” Gerhardstein said. “Thanks to programs like EDF Climate Corps, CSX was able to meet its greenhouse gas emissions intensity reduction goal in 2011, a year earlier than projected. CSX is now working to set a new emissions reduction goal, supported by the EDF Climate Corps results.”

For more information about CSX’s environmental initiatives, visit the responsibility tab of www.csx.com and www.beyondourrails.org/environment.

Environmental Defense Fund is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 700,000 members. Since 1967, EDF has linked science, economics, law, and innovative private sector partnerships to create transformational solutions to the most urgent environmental problems.

About CSX

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX’s network connects more than 240 short line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

BD Issues 2011 Sustainability Report

05.23.2012 - 11:38AM

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced today the publication of its 2011 Sustainability Report. The report focuses on the Company’s shared-value approach to sustainability, which focuses on the relationship among strong economic performance, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

"We are pleased to report on BD’s progress in achieving our sustainability goals, as well as how we are addressing the many challenges we face in the global business environment," said Vincent A. Forlenza, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We are broadening and redefining our approach to products, markets, services, productivity and even associate engagement, to drive higher shared value as well as higher shareholder value.”

This year, BD’s reporting aligns more closely with version 3.1 of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, and the Company has self-assessed the new report at GRI application level B. BD’s 2011 Sustainability Report highlights strategic priorities and performance in areas including:

Governance and Ethics: BD remains committed to ethical operations and compliance with laws and regulations. In 2011, the Company updated its Code of Conduct and initiated Project Compass, the rollout of its enhanced global anti-corruption and anti-bribery program.

Product Responsibility: BD addresses social and environmental concerns in areas including product quality, patient and healthcare worker safety, and product stewardship from development to disposal. In 2011, the Company added a sustainability assessment to its Global Product Development System, inaugurated Procurement Sustainability Summits for suppliers, and became a member of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Business Leadership Coalition, which is part of the Practice Greenhealth Greening the Supply Chain^™ initiative.

The Environment: BD continued to make progress toward meeting its 2015 Sustainability Targets, including reducing energy consumption 3.2% absolute and 13.2% normalized (against a goal of reducing 30% normalized by 2015) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 21.6% absolute through a combination of energy conservation and purchase of renewable energy credits. Additionally, three BD locations received LEED Gold certification in 2011.

Society: BD deploys its core competencies, expertise, products and associates in an effort to improve global health standards and access to health for all. The Company develops and implements collaborative, cross-sector programs with governments, international agencies, nonprofit organizations and research institutions, focusing on areas that align societal needs with BD’s business strategy.

Associates: The success of BD's business depends on the creativity, innovation and commitment of the 29,000 people it employs in more than 50 countries around the world. The report highlights BD’s focus on health and safety in the workplace, providing learning and development opportunities, building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive culture.

The new report also highlights the many awards and recognitions that BD received in 2011 in the areas of sustainability, innovation, employer of choice, and environment, health and safety, including:

Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes
2011 Green Rankings Top 100 (Newsweek)
"World's Most Ethical Companies" (Ethisphere Council)
U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership Member – 2011 Leadership Club
CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ Accreditation
Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles (U.S. National Business Group on Health)

To view the full BD 2011 Sustainability Report online, visit www.bd.com/sustainability.

About BD

BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company’s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world’s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

Eurovision Song Contest: Are some company sponsors ignoring concerns about human rights in Azerbaijan?

05.23.2012 - 11:17AM

As the Eurovision Song Contest gets underway, with the finals this Saturday in Azerbaijan, some companies sponsoring the event are refusing to respond to concerns raised about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre contacted 7 companies that are official sponsors or partners of Eurovision 2012, or of national entrants. The Centre asked each to respond to concerns about human rights abuses in connection with the hosting of Eurovision in Azerbaijan.

Widespread and systematic abuses of human rights by the Government of Azerbaijan have been reported for years by Azerbaijani human rights advocates, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. Recent allegations include the eviction of people to make way for the Eurovision concert hall, and reported attempts to "silence dissent" before the contest is held.

Three Azerbaijani companies sponsoring Eurovision 2012 have so far failed to respond to the human rights concerns:

Gilan Holding
Silk Way Airlines
State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)

“We are disappointed that these 3 companies have not responded to serious human rights concerns relating to an event they are sponsoring – we hope that they will respond now. We will soon be informing the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights how each company responded – or failed to respond,” said Danielle McMullan, Researcher at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

Four companies responded – click here to see their responses:

Azercell (Azerbaijan), part of TeliaSonera (Sweden) – Azercell is the Presenting Partner of Eurovision 2012.
Schwarzkopf, part of Henkel (Germany) – Schwarzkopf is an official sponsor of Eurovision 2012.
Metro Sweden, part of Metro Intl. (Sweden) – Metro Sweden is the media partner / official sponsor of the Swedish selection for Eurovision 2012.
MTN Cyprus (Cyprus), part of MTN Group (South Africa) – MTN Cyprus is a sponsor of the Cypriot entrant for Eurovision 2012.

“We asked these seven companies to respond because Human Rights Watch and others have made the point that sponsoring events in a country where human rights abuses are widespread can be seen as endorsing the government”, said Christopher Avery, Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. “The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights state that all companies ‘should identify and assess any actual or potential adverse human rights impacts with which they may be involved either through their own activities or as a result of their business relationships.’”

Last week Business & Human Rights Resource Centre issued another press release about Azerbaijan: “As Eurovision Song Contest approaches, concerns about hidden cameras in Azerbaijan hotel rooms”. Marta Kasztelan, Researcher at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, explains: “We sought responses from companies that own leading hotels in Azerbaijan to reports that cameras have repeatedly been planted in hotel rooms in the country to record journalists and critics of the government having sex in order to blackmail them. One victim said that visitors to Azerbaijan for Eurovision 2012 should be aware that cameras are sometimes planted in hotel rooms.” All the hotel companies responded to the Resource Centre – their responses are on this webpage.

If any organization or individual wishes to comment on this issue, or on the company responses, the Resource Centre will also post those statements on its website. If those comments criticise the response of a particular company, the Resource Centre will invite that company to respond to the criticism.

About the Resource Centre

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is an independent non-profit organization that encourages companies to respect human rights, by promoting transparency and accountability. Our website links to reports on the human rights impacts (positive & negative) of 5100 companies worldwide, and provides guidance tools to assist companies, NGOs and others working in this field.

When human rights concerns are raised by civil society, we invite companies to respond, and post each company response alongside the concerns. The usual response rate to the Resource Centre is 75% globally. Since 2005 the Centre has invited over 1000 company responses, to a range of human rights concerns. A record of all past responses and non-responses is here. Victims and NGOs thank us for bringing global attention to their concerns and for eliciting responses from companies. Companies thank us for including their perspective and for providing the opportunity to present their responses in full. This process often leads to real improvements on the ground.

Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of Ireland, is Chair of the Centre’s International Advisory Network. Our Academic Partners comprise 23 leading academic institutions. The Centre’s researchers are based in Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Senegal, South Africa, UK, Ukraine and USA.

For further details, see the "About us" section of our website.

Aflac Releases 2012 Corporate Citizenship Report

05.23.2012 - 08:57AM

/PRNewswire/ - Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, and the number one life insurance company in Japan, in terms of policies in force, released its 2012 Corporate Citizenship Report today. The report, which covers 2011 up to March 31, 2012, represents the activities and events that demonstrate Aflac's strong commitment to its community, the environment and its employees.

"Like any company, Aflac survives on profits, but we thrive on principles," Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. "Our reputation as a good citizen and a company that cares is an important part of who we are, so I am pleased to share the accomplishments highlighted in this report that represent our commitment to customers, shareholders and our community."

Aflac's Corporate Citizenship Report focuses primarily on the company's commitment to diversity, sustainability and philanthropy in both the United States and Japan, where combined, the company serves more than 50 million people. Aflac believes that being a socially responsible company contributes to its continued strong performance as a business.

Highlights of the report include:

Aflac's strong commitment to diversity, including a workforce that includes 39 percent minorities, 67 percent women and 49 percent women at supervisor level or above,
Aflac's history of financial and human resource support for the Aflac Cancer Center ($70 million contributed as of Dec. 31, 2011),
Aflac's progress as a sustainable company, including entry to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the first time in 2011, and
Aflac Japan's commitment to children, the environment and their community.

ABOUT AFLAC
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac insurance provides protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For six consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2012, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For for the 14th consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 11th time in 2012. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or aflacenespanol.com.

Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, and the number one life insurance company in Japan, in terms of policies in force, released its 2012 Corporate Citizenship Report today. The report, which covers 2011 up to March 31, 2012, represents the activities and events that demonstrate Aflac's strong commitment to its community, the environment and its employees.

Highlights of the report include:

Aflac's strong commitment to diversity, including a workforce that includes 39 percent minorities, 67 percent women and 49 percent women at supervisor level or above,
Aflac's history of financial and human resource support for the Aflac Cancer Center ($70 million contributed as of Dec. 31, 2011),
Aflac's progress as a sustainable company, including entry to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the first time in 2011, and
Aflac Japan's commitment to children, the environment and their community.

ABOUT AFLAC
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac insurance provides protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For six consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2012, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For for the 14th consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 11th time in 2012. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or aflacenespanol.com.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1czF0)

Job Security and Meaningful Work in High Demand for Today's Workforce

05.23.2012 - 06:00AM

A new nationwide study examining work life and jobs with meaning finds that 65% of university students expect to make an impact on causes and issues they care about in their future job.

The study, Net Impact’s Talent Report: What Workers Want in 2012, is a nationally representative sample of college-educated workers in three generations—Millennials, GenerationXers and Baby Boomers - and current college students. To read the executive summary or the entire survey, please visit www .netimpact .org /whatworkerswant.

Critical findings include:

Demand for “impact jobs:” Two thirds (65%) of workers and students said that “the potential to contribute to society” and “a job that will make the world a better place” is very important to them, with about one in four deeming this to be essential.

Most university students (65%) expect to be able to make some positive social or environmental difference through their work.

‘Having a job where they can make an impact on causes and issues that are important to them’, is something the vast majority of undergraduate and graduate students want out of their work life. Seven-in-ten say this is “very important” to them, which includes 31 percent who say it is “essential.” “Impact jobs” connect to job satisfaction: Twice as many employees who say they have an opportunity at their job to make a positive social or environmental impact on the world report being very satisfied with their jobs compared to people who are in jobs that don’t have such an opportunity.

“For the first time, we have data that shows a direct connection between job satisfaction and making a difference at work,” said Net Impact CEO, Liz Maw. “Employees today don’t want to check their values at the door when they arrive at their jobs, and the ability to live and work with strong social meaning is clearly important to them.”

Job attributes:

The survey identified the five top job attributes, of 16 presented to rank, that workers want from their worklife: a good work/life balance, a positive work environment, good compensation, having interesting work to do and job security.

Cliff Zukin, the Rutgers Professor who directed the study commented, “We may be looking at the end of the millennial generation, a casualty of the recession. It seems unusual for those in their early 20s to so highly value job security given how self-confident and entrepreneurial the Millennial generation has seemed to be. It may well be that today’s university students are the follow-up to the Millennial generation, and may more closely resemble the GenX generation, which came of age in a climate of economic insecurity.”

Students Facing Future Workplace Reality: Undergraduates are under no illusions about how difficult it will be to find a job when they graduate into an economy where unemployment is close to nine percent.

Just one in ten students think it is going to be ‘very easy’ to find a job, and only another 23 percent say it will be ‘somewhat easy.’ Nearly half (46%) say finding a job will be “somewhat difficult,” with another 13 percent believing that it will be “very difficult.”
When a follow up question is posed asking them to rank how difficult it will be to find a job they really want to do, just under a quarter think it will be either ‘very’ or ‘somewhat easy.’ Just 11 percent believe they will have a great deal of choice in jobs when they graduate college.
Two thirds of the undergraduates and three quarters of the graduate students surveyed say they expect to owe money for school or other reasons when they finish. The median debt for those juniors and seniors saying they will owe money is $25,000.

Money and Meaning for Tomorrow’s Leaders: Despite current employment outlooks and a lack of real-world experience, graduating students still maintain a desire to work for and with purpose, even if means a smaller paycheck. Of the students surveyed:

Over half (58%) would take a 15 percent pay cut to ‘work for an organization whose values are like my own.’
Almost half (45%) would take a 15 percent pay cut to ‘have a job that makes a social or environmental impact on the world.’
Over a third (35%) would take a 15 percent pay cut to ‘work for a company committed to corporate and environmental sustainability.’

“Young people in college and grad school see making a social impact as a critical part of their career,” says Maw. “Even in a depressed job market, these resilient and optimistic students are leading with their values.”

The study was conducted to investigate what workers want out of their jobs in the year 2012; it examined demand for impact jobs, and how the youngest generation of workers might differ from their older counterparts. The survey also set out to consider how life goals, job satisfaction, 'impact jobs' in practice and citizen activities rank in importance, value and fulfillment for current and upcoming generations.

A total of 1,726 respondents were surveyed in a statistically representative sample of Americans who had graduated from a four-year college and were working full-time when the study was conducted between February 15 and 18, 2012. The sampling error for the overall study is approximately + 3 percent.

Additional Survey Highlights

Workers:

Around 15 percent of workers say they will definitely have a social or environmental impact through their job over the next few years, with another 31 percent saying they probably will.

Students:

A strong majority of students (72%) have a life goal to have a job that they can make an impact on causes and issues important to them.

Female students were more likely to select government, small business, or nonprofit jobs as their first choice, with male students more likely to select corporate jobs.

Female students are more likely to say that a company that prioritizes corporate responsibility is more important to their ideal job over male students by 60 percent v. 40 percent.

Having a positive work environment / positive culture ranks as the top quality students seek in an upcoming job (91%), followed by job security (90%) with financials (compensation/benefits) in third place at 87 percent.

A focus on Millennials:

Just four-in-ten Millennial graduates of four-year colleges report being firmly on their desired career path; a similar amount believe they are in jobs that will lead to a career path, and 20 percent say they are not on the way to a career in their current job—it’s just something to get them by.

Millennials are following GenX in eschewing the ballot box. Whereas 77 percent of Boomers say they have recently cast a ballot, just 56 percent of Xers and 46 percent of Millennials have. Current university undergraduate and graduate students look to do no better.

All respondents:

A majority of all respondents (65%) believe that they have a personal responsibility for getting involved to make things better for society.

A majority of respondents (76%) believe that most companies only care about how much profit they can make, vs. trying to balance profit with the public interest.

About Net Impact’s Talent Report: What Workers Want in 2012: The study, conducted in February 2012, consisted of four samples. 1) Juniors, seniors and graduate students currently enrolled in four-year colleges (n=431); Millennials (n=807); GenX (n=230); Baby Boomers (n=258). Each was configured to be an independent probability sample of the respective groups. The survey was fielded by GfK Custom Research using Knowledgepanel. More details can be found in the methodological appendix of the formal report – www.netimpact.org/whatworkerswant

About Net Impact: Net Impact is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that’s changing the way the world works. The organization is building a movement of more than 30,000 people - in all industries, at every stage of career – who are using their jobs to make a positive impact. Across 300+ chapters worldwide, this movement is fueled by thousands of local events, the flagship Net Impact Conference, and online tools and resources that help people discover how to change the world at work. Learn more about Net Impact at http://www.netimpact.org

About the Heldrich Center: The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, based at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, is a dynamic research and policy center devoted to strengthening the nation’s workforce. It is one of the nation’s leading university-based centers dedicated to helping America’s workers and employers respond to a rapidly changing 21st Century economy. The Center’s motto —“Solutions at Work”— reflects its commitment to offering practical solutions, based on independent research, that benefit employers, workers, and job seekers. The Center’s policy recommendations and programs serve a wide range of Americans at all skill levels. Learn more about the Heldrich Center at http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu

VolunteerMatch Announces Winners of 6th Annual Corporate Volunteer Awards

05.22.2012 - 01:00PM

VolunteerMatch has honored five U.S. companies for outstanding innovation, commitment and leadership in corporate community involvement. During a ceremony last week at its 2012 Client Summit in San Francisco, VolunteerMatch recognized Morgan Stanley, Old National Bank, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Allina Health for excellence in employee volunteering. VolunteerMatch also gave special acknowledgement to team members from the Walmart Foundation who have been instrumental in coordinating the retailer’s $2 billion commitment to fighting hunger in America.

VolunteerMatch is the web’s largest volunteer engagement network. Best known for its popular web service, www.volunteermatch.org, the national nonprofit also helps hundreds of leading corporations successfully manage their volunteer engagement initiatives. This is the sixth year VolunteerMatch has given out its Corporate Volunteer Awards, which recognize businesses based on objective and subjective criteria against a variety of performance benchmarks.

The winners of the 2012 VolunteerMatch Corporate Volunteer Awards are:

Employee Volunteer Program of the Year (Large Businesses): Morgan Stanley

Volunteerism is a key component of Morgan Stanley’s commitment to giving back. In 2011 the financial services firm’s hallmark initiatives included a year-round volunteer program that encourages long-term relationships with nonprofits, a signature Strategy Challenge pairing teams of employees with 15 organizations for pro bono planning sessions, and a Global Volunteer Month that encouraged employees to give at least two hours of time. By year’s end Morgan Stanley employees had tracked more than 170,000 hours, a 30% increase from 2010.

Employee Volunteer Program of the Year (Small-Medium Businesses): Old National Bank

Old National Bank, based in Evansville, Ind., encourages its 2,800 employees to pursue their passions as volunteers in the community. In 2011, 50% of the team took advantage of the volunteer program, tracking an astonishing 77,000 total hours. Thanks in part to incentive programs such as offering two paid hours per month for employees, an “Honor Roll” for high achieving volunteers and a company match, the employee participation rate was more than 18 times the average in the benchmark study.

Champions of the Year: Karen Thompson and Laura Siemens, Walmart Foundation

As grant makers and program managers at Walmart Foundation, Karen Thompson and Laura Siemens are helping the world’s largest corporation invest $2 billion in the fight against hunger. Walmart began working with VolunteerMatch in 2008 to engage its 1.4 million employees in volunteering. Today, as part of the company’s innovative Fighting Hunger Together initiative, the Walmart Foundation and VolunteerMatch are helping more than 4,000 food banks, pantries, nutrition programs, community gardens and other hunger-related organizations fight food insecurity by increasing their capacity to involve volunteers.

Breakthrough Performance (Tie): Allina Health, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Both newly launched at VolunteerMatch in 2011, Allina Health and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are already demonstrating what successful volunteer engagement looks like. Allina Health employees logged 60,000 community service hours for the year, helping to guide more than $100,000 in matching funds from the Minneapolis, Minn.- based not-for-profit healthcare provider. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt engages employees through local Community Investment Councils, which use VolunteerMatch as a tool for volunteer activities that support its CSR pillars of giving voice, promoting access to ideas and removing barriers. Among the world’s largest providers of pre-K–12 education solutions and one of its longest-established publishing houses, the Boston-based Company inspired its 3,700 employees to track more than 5,000 hours during the fourth quarter of 2011.

“This year’s award winners demonstrate what’s possible when companies engage the time and talent of their employees,” said Greg Baldwin, president of VolunteerMatch. “We’re honored to support their efforts.”

To learn more about the 2012 VolunteerMatch Corporate Volunteer Awards, please visit:
http://www.volunteermatchsummit.org

To learn more about VolunteerMatch Solutions, visit: http://www.volunteermatch.org/corporations

About VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is the Web's largest volunteer engagement network, with more than 80,000 participating nonprofits, 150 network partners and 8 million visitors each year. Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch offers solutions to make it easier for individuals, nonprofits and companies to make a difference. Since its launch, VolunteerMatch has helped nonprofits attract more than $2 billion worth of volunteer services. VolunteerMatch is a two-time Webby Award winner, a Smithsonian inductee, and has been recognized for its work by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Time, Oprah Winfrey and Presidents Clinton and Bush. To learn more, visit www.volunteermatch.org.

Deckers Outdoor Corporation Joins Ceres Company Network

05.22.2012 - 09:45AM

Ceres announced today that it is has approved Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK), a footwear and accessories company headquartered in Goleta, California, as a Ceres Network Company. Deckers manufactures footwear and accessories under the brands UGG® Australia, Teva®, Sanuk®, Ahnu®, Tsubo® and MOZO®. Companies that join Ceres commit to improve their sustainability disclosure and performance by engaging with investors, environmental and social groups and other stakeholders.

“Ceres is proud to welcome Deckers into our growing network of companies dedicated to improving their sustainability performance,” said Mindy Lubber, Ceres President. “While the company is still early on in its sustainability journey, Deckers has already made real progress on key sustainability issues including measuring the impact of its water and energy use and identifying opportunities to reduce the footprint of the products they sell. Ceres looks forward to working with Deckers to further embed sustainability across its business.”

Deckers began measuring the environmental impact of its energy use for the first time in 2010. This year the company plans to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of its first tier factories with a goal to collect energy data from over 50% of factories and key suppliers by the end of 2012. Deckers also committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of water and waste in its operations—and will complete its water footprint assessment in 2012. Moving forward, Deckers will work closely with Ceres to strategically identify priorities for reducing the footprint of its direct operations, as well as its supply chain.

To reduce the impact of its products, Deckers is now considering sustainability at the design stage. Working with other companies in the outdoor and apparel industries, the company is helping to test and further develop the Sustainable Apparel Index—an environmental assessment tool used to measure and reduce the social and environmental impacts of products. Once the tool is finalized, Deckers will use it to identify areas for improved efficiency, cost savings and reduced impact through the use of more sustainable materials.

“It’s an honor to be approved as a Ceres Network Member,” said Deckers Outdoor Corporation’s Zohar Ziv, Chief Operating Officer. “We are moving in the right direction under our commitment to our Corporate Responsibility goals, but know we can do bigger and better things toward sustainability with the support of Ceres and its member companies.”

Working with Ceres, Deckers will publish its first sustainability report using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. The company will also work with Ceres to formalize a robust stakeholder engagement program. Drawing on members of the Ceres Coalition, Ceres will work with Deckers to engage and learn from a diversity of stakeholders including investors, social and environmental groups and other key stakeholders.

About Ceres

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. Ceres mobilizes a powerful coalition of investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 100 institutional investors with collective assets totaling more than $10 trillion.

For more information, visit http://www.ceres.org and http://www.incr.com.

About Deckers Outdoor Corporation

Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Sanuk®, UGG® Australia, TSUBO®, Ahnu® and MOZO® are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation.

"Funnel Your Energy" Event To Repair Homes Hit by Disasters May 30

05.22.2012 - 09:09AM

Rebuilding Together in Springfield is commemorating the first anniversary of the devastating tornadoes by rebuilding homes with hundreds of volunteers! The event is called “Funnel Your Energy 2012”.Our event is a follow up to last October’s “Rebuilding 25 Homes in 5 Days with 1,000 Volunteers”.

Rebuilding Together is the only nonprofit in the city rebuilding homes for low-income families that sustained damage so that they may return to a home that is safe and restored. A recent assessment has over 100 family households in the city with over $1.4 Million in rebuilding costs that either did not have insurance, inadequate insurance or where the contractors took off with the insurance money and did not finish the job. Rebuilding Together is here for this daunting task.

"Funnel Your Energy" Event To Repair Homes Hit by Disasters May 30

05.22.2012 - 09:05AM

Rebuilding Together’s Springfield affiliate is planning a citywide natural disaster rebuilding event on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 to commemorate the first anniversary of the devastating June 1, 2011 tornado by repairing homes still damaged by the event. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray will join members of Rebuilding Together, volunteers and sponsors at the kickoff breakfast and press conference at Berkshire Bank, 1259 East Columbus Avenue at 8 a.m.

Last year over 1,600 homes in the area sustained damage from natural disasters in June, July and October. In October of 2011 Rebuilding Together completed 25 Homes in 5 Days with 1,000 Volunteers to rebuild homes in the wake of the June tornadoes. Many homeowners, especially those that are low-income, with either no insurance or inadequate insurance, are still in need of help.

Projects range from the wall-raising of a destroyed garage, removal of fallen trees and stumps, painting full exteriors, repairing roofs, weatherization, replacing windows and doors with new energy efficient ones, electrical & plumbing upgrades, to yard cleanups, planting trees, shrubs and flowers and debris removal.

Rebuilding Together is seeking volunteers and materials donations for the citywide rebuilding effort. Those interested can contact Rebuilding Together at (413) 788-0014 or at www.RebuildingTogetherSpringfield.org.

Sponsors to date include Berkshire Bank, AARP Massachusetts, Lowe's Home Improvement, Sears-Heroes at Home, TD Bank, Springfield Area Sustainable Energy Association, Verizon Wireless, Triple S Construction/Home Builders Association of Western Massachusetts and Derosier Tree Company.

Rebuilding Together Springfield is in its 20th year of existence and recently completed the rebuilding of 15 homes in Springfield on April 28, National Rebuilding Day, with the help of approximately 1,000 volunteers.

EuroCharity and Leading Technology Institute AIT to Co-Organise Sustainability Forum 2012

05.21.2012 - 05:11PM

A training, networking and professional development event
Friday, October 5, 2012
AIT campus, 19th km., Markopoulo Avenue, GR-190 02 Peania, Athens, Greece

EuroCharity in collaboration with AIT (Athens Information Technology), an internationally-renowned, non-profit education and research centre of excellence, are pleased to announce their co-organisation of the Sustainability Forum 2012, a training, networking and professional development event that is scheduled to take place at AIT's state-of-the-art venue in Peania, Athens on October 5.

Internationally-acclaimed speakers and experts will share their hands-on expertise and experience with the delegates of this forthcoming, multi-stakeholder Forum.

The basic goal of this one-day Forum, which will have an educational character and focus on sustainability, is to showcase new prospects in these challenging times. The Forum aims at providing knowledge, developing abilities and exchanging best practices as well as experiences related to sustainability through parallel, expert workshops that focus on:

Core principles of sustainability
Sustainable smart cities / Environment
Green ICT / Footprint
Communicating Sustainability
Sustainable facilities and infrastructure systems
Creating a sustainablity strategy
Sustainability reporting assurance
Calculating and offsetting CO2 emissions
Sustainability and social media

Who should attend?

The Forum is aimed at all professionals involved or interested in sustainability, CSR Practitioners & Managers, HR Managers, PR Specialists, Marketing Managers, environmentalists, investors, third sector leaders, and others. Confirmed workshop tutors include Derwin Johnson, an independent senior communication consultant with more than 30 years of experience as a journalist, communication executive and educator who has served as U.S. Director of Media and Communications Training for one of the largest global public relations companies and spent seven years at Columbia University as Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Journalism, as well as Dr. Annie Pearce (www.mlsoc.vt.edu/users/apearce), an Associate Professor in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech specialising in sustainable facilities and infrastructure systems. Throughout her career, Annie has worked with practitioners in both public and private sectors to implement sustainability as part of building planning, design, construction, and operations.

As a LEED Accredited Professional, Annie brings the latest in green building methods, technologies, and best practices to the classroom. Her specific areas of interest include metrics of sustainability for built facilities, green building materials and systems, cost modeling to support sustainability implementation, and in situ performance of sustainable facility technologies. Along with others in the Myers-Lawson School, Annie is pioneering a new paradigm of construction research, education, and outreach that combines and synergises inputs from stakeholders in the construction industry with new technologies and research efforts to promote sustainable innovations. This educational ecosystem approach builds upon the principles of biomimicry to offer benefits to all entities within the system while tapping the resources they can offer to one another, all while moving the industry toward the goal of greater sustainability.

For further information on the Forum, event programme and participation form, please contact EuroCharity at info@eurocharity.org. Tel.: +30 210 927 1110-29.

About AIT

A leading technology institute that offers world-class education and research in the fields of information technology, telecommunications, and innovation management, AIT (Athens Information Technology) was founded by the INTRACOM Group in 2002. In creating AIT, INTRACOM's purpose was to build on the track record of excellence set by Greek scientists and engineers both in Greece and abroad, and to enable Greece to play a significant future role in these fields.

AIT collaborates with 58 leading European universities, research centres and ICT companies. The non-profit organisation has been internationally recognised through, among others, its pioneering co-operation with the Information Networking Institute (INI), a department of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the educational partner of Carnegie Mellon Cylab, U.S.A.; via its Executive Training Programmes in Leadership, Negotiation and Strategy in collaboration with the Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, U.S.A.; and through its strategic collaboration with Aalborg University, Denmark.

The largest privately-funded education and research centre in South-East Europe, AIT utilises its state-of-the-art facilities, conveniently located near the Athens International Airport, affiliations with world-renowned universities and range of academic programs and scholarships to offer the finest advanced learning for professionals and executives and first-class education and career placement to an internationally diverse group of students from all walks of life.

AIT's mission is to:

Establish and maintain a centre of excellence for research and education in the areas of software engineering, telecommunications/networking, embedded systems and electronics;
Foster the development of top level competitive information and communication technology professionals capable of creating technological breakthroughs and skilled in technology and innovation management;
Continue to provide the education to meet future ICT trends;
Continue to provide education opportunities to gifted students through scholarships.

For further information on AIT, please visit www.ait.gr or download a PDF presentation at www.eurocharity.eu/publish/ait_presentation.pdf.

BD and Heart to Heart International Collaborate on Second Volunteer Service Trip to Help Improve Healthcare in Haiti

05.21.2012 - 03:31PM

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX), a leading global medical technology company, and Heart to Heart International, a humanitarian medical aid nonprofit organization, are teaming up for their second joint volunteer initiative to strengthen healthcare in Haiti. A team of 16 BD employees from around the world will build upon the progress made by their colleagues in 2011 during BD’s first Volunteer Service Trip to Haiti. This year, a new team of employees have volunteered to travel to Haiti for three weeks to continue BD’s work with Heart to Heart partners at medical clinics to improve the country’s ability to provide community healthcare services.

“This is BD’s seventh volunteer trip to help strengthen healthcare capacity in underserved regions by sharing some of our Company’s greatest assets – our employees and their expertise – with local care providers,” said Vincent A. Forlenza, Chief Executive Officer and President, BD. “Working with an organization like Heart to Heart, which has tremendous in-country knowledge, maximizes the impact BD can make in Haiti. Our ongoing commitment to the country’s recovery reflects BD’s purpose of ‘Helping all people live healthy lives.’”

Following the January 2010 earthquake, BD immediately committed $5 million in product donations to assist in the relief and recovery efforts. To date, BD has sent more than $4.1 million in product donations to Haiti. Heart to Heart has deployed nearly 700 medical volunteers in Haiti, delivered more than $43 million (U.S. wholesale) worth of life-saving medical aid, and treated more than 108,000 people — approximately 2,500 monthly — at clinical sites in Haiti. The BD volunteers are working with medical staff to build on their existing patient care services by:

Collaborating with the National Lab of Haiti to develop Standard Operating Procedures for medical laboratories and providing lab training to improve diagnostic practices and disease management
Constructing laboratories in two urban healthcare clinics and developing a “lab in a box” for auxiliary and mobile clinics in rural areas to increase access to quality care
Creating materials for and conducting healthcare worker and patient education on proper hygiene, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases to help reduce the spread of disease
Replacing temporary patient facilities with permanent structures to improve care conditions.

“BD has joined us as a stakeholder in Haiti’s future,” said André T. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Heart to Heart International. “We are thrilled that BD invests in global engagement activities like this for their employees, who are helping to advance our health-focused mission in Haiti, while pursuing BD’s purpose as well.”

This is the seventh company-sponsored Volunteer Service Trip that BD employees have made to improve sustainable healthcare capacity in medically underserved regions. BD’s previous volunteer trips served regions of Ghana and Zambia in sub-Saharan Africa. Beyond the Volunteer Service Trip, BD and Heart to Heart have worked together since 2003, helping people in developing countries and disaster-ravaged areas, supplying and delivering specifically requested medical supplies to communities in greatest need. BD and its associates contribute money, products, talent and time to help people throughout the world treat disease and improve lives by raising health standards.

About BD
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

About Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International is improving global health through initiatives that connect people and resources to a world in need. Since Heart to Heart's founding in 1992, volunteers have helped deliver aid worth $1 billion in U.S. wholesale value to 115 countries, including the United States. The organization was named to Forbes magazine's prestigious list of “America’s 200 Largest Charities” in 2011 and was recognized as one of the top nonprofits in the categories of donor efficiency and charitable commitment. For more information on its programs and ways to get involved, visit www.hearttoheart.org.

Rubicon Global Announces B Corporation Certification

05.21.2012 - 11:00AM

Rubicon Global, North America’s leading provider of sustainable waste and recycling solutions announces it is proud to stand among 515+ Certified B Corporations. B Corporations are a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Rubicon Global joins a league of corporations that believe business is the most powerful way to create change. Other Certified B Corporations include Patagonia, Seventh Generation, and Etsy.

“Rubicon Global’s mission and values are closely aligned with the goals of B Corp because we believe there is a better way to do business”, said Nate Morris, CEO of Rubicon Global. “We know that creating transparency, accountability, and sustainability in our industry will benefit our customers as well as the environment.”

Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The performance standards are comprehensive and transparent. They measure a company’s impact on its employees, suppliers, community, and the environmental. Rubicon Global earned 103.2 points on its 2012 B Impact Assessment with governance and the environment as “Areas of Excellence”. The company will continuously work to improve its B score and will go through an assessment review every two years.

"Rubicon Global represents the future of waste and recycling and we are proud to have them join our community of Certified B Corporations," says B Lab co-founder Andrew Kassoy. "Their innovative approach, which promotes sustainability, transparency, and economic efficiency, is helping America's top companies reduce landfill tonnage and protect our communities."

To view Rubicon Global's B Impact Assessment and learn more about B Corporations, please visit www.BCorporation.net/RubiconGlobal.

About B Corp
Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of January 2012, there are over 515 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.

About B Lab
B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form and tax, procurement, and investment incentives for sustainable business.

About Rubicon Global
Rubicon Global is North America’s leading provider of sustainable waste and recycling solutions. We provide comprehensive waste stream solutions that allow companies to reduce operating expenses, implement recycling programs, and save money through waste and recycling initiatives. Rubicon Global was founded in 2008 with the mission to optimize our customers’ waste streams through cost saving measures while creating environmentally sound solutions to 21st century challenges. Rubicon Global is dedicated to improving economic efficiency and decreasing landfill tonnage. Rubicon Global strives to challenge the status quo and redefine the concept of waste and recycling in the global community. Through innovative technology, industry knowledge, and strategic relationships Rubicon Global seeks to transform the waste and recycling industries. For more information, visit www.RubiconGlobal.com.

Innovating for Sustainability

05.21.2012 - 08:45AM

Exploring the link between sustainability and financial performance, this Harvard Business School program helps companies deliver value to both shareholders and society. You will discover how leading companies are developing innovative products, processes, and business models to achieve financial goals while meeting objectives—and government mandates—for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

Please visit www.exed.hbs.edu/programs/ifse or email executive_education@hbs.edu to learn more.

Corporate Social Responsibility Program

05.21.2012 - 08:44AM

Emphasizing the alignment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with business strategy, the CSR program offered by HBS Executive Education helps you define priorities, integrate social responsibility throughout your business, and build social and business value. You will strengthen your ability to define and implement powerful CSR strategies that position the firm, its reputation, and its way of doing business for enduring success. In addition, you will have numerous opportunities to learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of peers from around the world.

For more information click here: http://www.exed.hbs.edu/programs/csr/

Registration Opens for BSR Conference 2012: Fast Forward, October 23-26 in New York

05.21.2012 - 08:00AM

Registration opens today for the BSR Conference 2012: Fast Forward. This is BSR’s 20^th anniversary Conference—the preeminent platform for business leaders to network, share best practices, and commit to strategies and actions for a sustainable future.

Participants can register online for the Conference, which will take place at the Grand Hyatt New York, October 23 through 26.

“Two decades after BSR was founded, there is a great deal of progress to celebrate,” said BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer. “Sustainability has entered the mainstream, with companies, NGOs, and governments collaborating toward sustainable well-being for all of the world’s people. But much remains to be done to turn our vision of a sustainable future into a reality. This year’s BSR Conference will provide both the inspiration and practical advice to make an even greater impact over the next 20 years.”

The 2012 Conference will bring together a global community of more than 1,000 leaders from business, civil society, and the public sector. This year, the event will feature more than 75 speakers from around the world in 35 diverse sessions that will address the need for business to fast forward progress toward a more just and sustainable world. Through a wide variety of formats, from plenary addresses to intimate one-hour conversations, the 20^th BSR Conference will help companies innovate and create lasting change over the years to come.

To register and receive updates on speakers, sessions, and more, visit www.bsr.org/conference. Members of the media interested in a complimentary press pass to attend the BSR Conference 2012 should contact Communications Manager Eva Dienel at edienel@bsr.org.

About BSR
BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit www.bsr.org for more information about BSR’s more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability.

An Open Letter to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters From Equal Exchange

05.21.2012 - 07:00AM

In a rare business-to-business plea Equal Exchange has released an open letter to Larry Blanford, the CEO of fellow New England specialty coffee company, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) in the form of a full-page color ad in today’s Sunday edition of the Burlington Free Press (Vermont) that strongly encourages the multi-billion dollar brand to withdraw its support from the controversial certification agency, Fair Trade USA (FTUSA).

Equal Exchange is the Massachusetts-headquartered business that introduced Fair Trade coffee to American grocery stores and coffee shops in the 1980s and 90s and who today remains the largest North American enterprise dedicated exclusively to buying and selling Fair Trade products. GMCR, based in Waterbury, VT, was itself an ‘early adopter’ and has been offering Fair Trade coffee for 14 years. To their considerable credit GMCR recently became the world’s largest purveyor of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, handling more than 26,000,000 pounds of Fair Trade coffee annually. They have also donated generously to support various economic development efforts in coffee growing communities.

However, while acknowledging these accomplishments, in today’s ad Equal Exchange challenges GMCR to “open your eyes…to the controversy raging…” and “leave Fair Trade USA” in light of recent unilateral changes enacted by the agency.

Without input from stakeholders, on January 1, FTUSA abandoned the global Fair Trade system (Fair Trade International, aka FTI) and loosened eligibility rules to allow large coffee, cocoa and sugar plantations to receive Fair Trade certification. That would put these large estates in direct competition with the hundreds of small-farmer co-operatives around the world who co-created the Fair Trade movement and have been the core of Fair Trade for over 25 years. This was a FTUSA proposal that the 20+ other global members of FTI, including the farmer representatives, had overwhelmingly rejected previously. FTUSA also withheld from FTI the dues it owes for 2011, funds that it is now using to compete with FTI in the US certification market.

Equal Exchange, the small-farmer co-operatives, and many other Fair Trade pioneers and advocates believe these and other recent acts by FTUSA gravely undermine the very purpose of Fair Trade and constitute a betrayal of the small-farmer co-ops. Consequently they also undermine the important social and economic progress that GMCR’s support of Fair Trade and small farmers has to date made possible. The open letter goes on to state,

“Fair Trade, a product of years of sweat, sacrifice and risk, belongs to the farmers. But Fair Trade USA has abandoned the legitimate system, not paid its dues, and changed the rules...” Rink Dickinson & Rob Everts, co-presidents, Equal Exchange

In different forums Equal Exchange has been challenging the path taken by FTUSA, including a recent private meeting with Larry Blanford and others at GMCR. Because of GMCR’s large volume of Fair Trade sales, and the licensing fees it pays for use of the FTUSA seal, it is the largest single source of revenue for FTUSA and a critical pillar of support. Those funds, and the benefits of being associated with the popular GMCR brand, are aiding FTUSA’s efforts even as it pursues a course apart from the rest of the global Fair Trade movement. Therefore Equal Exchange is using this ad, and a subsequent ad that will run on Thursday, May 24^th, to publicly encourage GMCR to end its relationship with FTUSA and rejoin the global system of certifiers that FTUSA recently left.

About Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange has been a pioneer and U.S. market leader in Fair Trade since 1986 and is a full service provider of organic coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, bananas and other products. 100% of Equal Exchange products are fairly traded, benefiting more than 40 small farmer co-operatives in 25 countries around the world. In keeping with its Fair Trade mission Equal Exchange is a democratically governed, employee-owned co-operative, one of only a few in the US. Equal Exchange has been honored for its social entrepreneurship by Fast Company magazine, The Financial Times, WorldBlu and others.

For more information:

http://www.equalexchange.coop/small-farmer-campaign

http://www.equalexchange.coop

Nicor Gas Employees Energize Local Communities During 16th Annual Volunteer Day

05.18.2012 - 12:23PM

On Saturday, May 19, more than 800 employees, family members, and friends will perform a variety of hands-on service activities to benefit local community organizations in 19 cities and towns across northern Illinois.

Employees from Nicor Gas, a local natural gas distribution company, will be joined by employees from Nicor Services, an unregulated provider of appliance protection plans and other home related services, and Nicor Enerchange, provider of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in the Midwest primarily in the northern Illinois market, to complete a variety of community service activities ranging from beautifying a local playground to replacing the turf grass and buckthorn with native grasses at a nature center. These Volunteer Day activities will take place throughout the Nicor Gas service territory, including the Chicago suburbs of Joliet, Bloomington, and the Rockford area.

“As a leading employer in northern Illinois for nearly 60 years, we have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the communities we serve. Embracing that philosophy, our employees give generously of their time and talents to help others,” said Ralph Cleveland, president of Nicor Gas.

Nicor Gas also will present a $15,000 capital grant to DuPage Habitat for Humanity at the project site in Villa Park. The mission of DuPage Habitat for Humanity is to provide opportunities for homeownership to limited-income individuals and families. The grant will be used for housing construction and rehabilitation.

This year, one Volunteer Day project is particularly meaningful for Nicor Gas employees who will spruce up the banks of the Fox River in Yorkville to make way for a bike path. The trail will honor the memory of a former employee, who in 2009 passed away after being struck by a car while riding her bicycle on the roadway.

Other planned activities include:

Aiding the Ray Graham Association, United Way’s 2011 Agency of the Year, volunteers will provide landscaping, window-washing and painting services at the Iona Glos Specialized Living Center home for individuals with disabilities at 720 N. Lombard Road, Addison.
Volunteers will spruce up the Hesed House, a homeless shelter at 659 S. River Street, Aurora.
Batavians for a Healthy River and other community groups will join forces to clean up the Fox River in downtown Batavia.
A team will tackle renovations alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers at a new renovation project at 1623 Iowa Street, Bloomington.
A perennial favorite, more than 50 volunteers will assist with landscaping outdoor spaces and painting marcfirst, group homes for individuals with mental and physical disabilities in Bloomington.
At the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry at 200 S. 5th Street in Capron, volunteers will sort and organize food donated during recent community drives.
This activity took place on April 28, 2012. Working alongside the local Kiwanis Club, volunteers replaced dirty sand with new wood chips, removed broken equipment and laid new mulch at World of Wonderful Park in Carthage.
DeKalb volunteers will return to the Salvation Army Food Pantry at 830 Grove Street to perform outdoor cleanup.
Benefiting Downers Grove area women’s shelter, volunteers will plant community gardens and clean up the grounds to beautify the facility.
Evanston volunteers will paint, build shelves, sort food in the pantry and help organize clothes at Hilda’s Place, a transitional shelter for single men and women, which is operated by Connections for the Homeless.
Volunteers will provide painting, mulching and landscaping services to the Ford Heights Community Service Organization, a group that provides social and human services for underprivileged families and individuals.
A favorite, our volunteers will sort and organize food at the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s new Geneva facility.
Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, an organization that provides support to people and families with disabilities and special needs in Joliet, will receive new greenery, fresh coats of paint and manicured outdoor spaces.
Naperville volunteers will pitch to plant and landscape the property around the 60-acre McDonald Farm run by the Naperville Conservation Foundation.
At the DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville, about 25 volunteers will participate in exhibit repair and plant outdoor gardens.
Lending a hand to Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville volunteers will sort food collected during a recent community food drive.
Volunteers at Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights will clear buckthorn and spread prairie seeds harvested from Nicor Gas’ prairie and will help rehabilitate natural areas as part of the eco- and family-friendly project. They also will clean up the nature trails.
The Rock River Valley Food Pantry will welcome volunteer efforts to help sort food and clean up around the grounds at two locations in Rockford.
Schaumburg volunteers will pack nutritious, life-saving meals for starving children at the Feed My Starving Children site on National Parkway. The meals will be shipped to more than 60 countries around the world.
Volunteers will partner with Habitat for Humanity to renovate a house in Villa Park. A $15,000 capital grant check also will be presented to DuPage Habitat for Humanity at this site.
About 20 volunteers will share their resources at the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton by distributing food and cleaning up the outdoor grounds.
Flowers and mulch will be planted at The Manor at Hearthstone Communities, rehabilitative and nursing care facilities at 920 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock.
Yorkville volunteers will perform outdoor planting and indoor painting at the Kendall County Food Pantry.

About Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS) is a natural gas distribution company that serves more than two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit www.nicorgas.com.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS) is an Atlanta-based energy services holding company with operations in natural gas distribution, retail operations, wholesale services, midstream operations and cargo shipping. As the nation’s largest natural gas-only distributor based on customer count, AGL Resources serves approximately 4.5 million utility customers through its regulated distribution subsidiaries in seven states. The company also serves more than one million retail customers through its SouthStar Energy Services joint venture and Nicor National, which market natural gas and related home services. Other non-utility businesses include asset management for natural gas wholesale customers through Sequent Energy Management, ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities, and ownership of Tropical Shipping, one of the largest containerized cargo carriers serving the Bahamas and Caribbean region. AGL Resources is a member of the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.

Behold Studio Announcement of B Corp Certification

05.18.2012 - 08:00AM

Behold, independent design and consultancy studio, is proud to announce official B Corp certification status – joining a community of over 515 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries. B Corporations are a new kind of company, which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

As a proactive, innovative company, our aim is to minimize the potential harmful effects on the environment while considering social and economic well-being. Moving forward as a B Corporation allows us to align our values and visions with a community of like-minded businesses and professionals.

Principal and Creative Director, Adam Zepeda, states, “Our certification as a B Corporation allows us to demonstrate and maintain the company’s drive for quality in all of our activities and services. It enables us to set targets by which our efforts towards sustainable environmental improvement can be measured on a regular basis while continuously seeking to improve on our day-to-day practices.”

Our certification as a B Corporation follows our recent partnership with 1% for the Planet (1%), pledging a portion of sales to support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability. “Behold is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts,” says Terry Kellogg, 1% CEO. “They’re using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We’re excited to welcome Behold to the 1% family.”

About Behold
Behold is a young, interdisciplinary design and consultancy studio holding experience in the disciplines of brand and identity development, publication, environmental design, packaging, art-direction, and graphic design. http://beholdstudio.com

About 1% for the Planet
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,350 member companies in 44 countries that donate one percent of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. To learn more about 1% visit www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

Smart Cities Executive Evening

05.17.2012 - 06:01PM

AGRION presents the Smart Cities Executive Evening, sponsored by JETRO and Schneider Electric.

Join us for an evening of dinner and networking, while we discuss opportunities for creating smarter urban infrastructure in a world challenged by resource constraints.

Panelists will explore financing distributed generation in urban areas, integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy into existing buildings, and modernizing transportation and the grid. Speakers Include:

CBS EcoMedia, Paul Polizzotto, President
Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Michel Di Capua Head of US Analysis
NRG Energy, Eric Curry Director, Strategic Partnerships
Alliances IBM, Joe Phillips Director of Smarter Cities/ Smart Buildings
McKinsey, Dr. Nikhil Krishnan Associate Principal
Schneider Electric, Mike Calise, Director of Electric Vehicle Business
Zipcar, Jon Zeitler, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development
GE Energy, Michael Mahan, Product Manager, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

This event is open to both members and non-members of the AGRION network. Please visit our site for more information. www.agrion.org #SmartCitiesEE @AGRION

Making The Investment In Healthy People, Healthy Planet And Healthy Performance

05.17.2012 - 12:31PM

Corporations today are obliged to go beyond delivering business results. They should also improve the quality of life of their employees, their communities and society at large – and report out on this progress. This month Humana released its 2010-2011 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. For the first time, Humana’s report follows the Global Reporting Initiative framework. And we became the only major health care insurer to do so. Here’s why disclosing environmental, social and governance data is important, now more than ever:

1. Trust in business remains low. The 2012 Trust Barometer that Edelman, the communications firm, develops annually revealed that public trust in business, government and NGOs shrank in 2011. What struck me, in particular, is that the 47 percent of the public who think business is doing what’s right tie their belief largely to “business competence, like delivering consistent financial returns.” However, societal behaviors – listening to customer needs, treating employees well, putting customers ahead of profits, and having ethical business practices – are ranked higher in importance for building future trust.

With that understanding, corporations have an opportunity to build future trust through demonstrating that social responsibility is a priority and business takes it as seriously as reporting financial results.

2. Business must be profoundly transparent. Voluntary reporting allows us in particular to put a stake in the ground and be accountable for targets such as those we’ve outlined in Humana’s report: to reduce our energy consumption, greenhouse-gas emissions and energy expenses by 10 percent by the end of 2012 from 2009’s baseline, and hire 1,000 military veterans and/or their spouses across the company, to name a few examples.

Of course, business doesn’t always succeed at hitting such targets – and it must be transparent about that, too. Starbucks took such a stance, admitting publicly that it didn’t achieve energy reduction goals for 2010. Stakeholders appreciate such candor and can then better understand such situations when they arise.

3. Companies cannot afford to slide in their efforts to improve the environmental performance of their operations. Why? In addition to the long-term environmental implications, investing in sustainability is a financial investment. In a study, McKinsey & Company, the management consultancy, projected the U.S. could save $1.2 trillion through 2020 by investing $520 billion in such improvements as sealing leaky building ducts and replacing inefficient appliances with new, energy-saving models. Evidence also exists that companies that demonstrate responsibility reap increased employee engagement and morale, higher employee-retention rates and better performance.

We’ve all heard: What gets measured gets managed. At Humana, we firmly believe the long-term investments we make in our CSR initiatives help us build trust, increase transparency, save money and earn the license not only to exist but to lead. We’re proud to share this progress through our industry-leading CSR report.

Texas Instruments Initiative Helps Girl Scouts See STEM Careers In Their Future

05.17.2012 - 09:00AM

Marking the 100^th year since the organizations founding, Girl Scouts has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl. In an initiative that focuses on the future for girls, Texas Instruments recently partnered with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to local Girl Scouts.

This year, Texas Instruments sponsored and helped launch the first ever “engineering patch” for girls in kindergarten through 12^th grade. The patch curriculum focuses on exciting, engaging and encouraging girls at every grade level to explore STEM education and careers. The patch will be available to all 35,000 Girl Scouts in Northeast Texas and will be a part of the program for the 4,400 underserved girls who experience Girl Scouts through the “Gift of Girl Scouting.”

“A Girl Scouts’ study found that girls’ interest in STEM is higher when they have exposure to those fields and only 46 percent of those surveyed knew a woman in a STEM career,” said Trisha Cunningham, Texas Instruments chief citizenship officer. “That’s why we partnered with Girl Scouts to develop a program where girls can have fun learning more about STEM and we can encourage area women engineers to get involved as role models.”

Through this programming, younger Girl Scouts will experience STEM through hands-on projects, and older Girl Scouts will be introduced to career choices and, most importantly, mentors in STEM careers. Texas Instruments is eager to generate excitement about the possibilities offered by STEM in hope that these girls will someday choose engineering as a career, a field that continues to be underrepresented by women.

Cunningham answered a few questions about the program. You can read more about this program on Texas Instruments’ Citizenship website.

What departments at Texas Instruments were involved in establishing the partnership with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas?

“This initiative was initiated through our Corporate Citizenship group. We tightened our philanthropic focus around science and math education and began meeting with organizations such as the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas a few years ago to see if there were ways we could work together. They were very receptive as they were in the process of developing their own strategy in this area.”

How was senior management “buy-in” procured to promote STEM skills to local Girl Scouts?

“From the top of our company on down, TI’s management knows that strong science and math education of our youth will be important not only to our company’s future U.S. workforce, but also America’s competitiveness in this age of technology. We are particularly interested in developing girls and underrepresented minorities in engineering. Today, only one in five engineers is female — below parity with other prestigious professions.”

Are Texas Instruments employees involved in any aspect of this initiative? With the “engineering patch” program?

“We asked some of our passionate women leaders and engineers to help. When we started to explore our focus on STEM with Girl Scouts, they helped serve on their strategy committee for the program. This resulted in TI sponsoring a STEM strategy workshop that included many in our area who were interested in advancing STEM education with girls and that was also attended by Girl Scouts USA. One of the outcomes of this strategy session was the development of this patch and curriculum, which our employees helped create.”

What have been some of Texas Instrument’s best practices or lessons learned in pursuing this initiative?

“First, we learned that when you focus on a strategic area, it is important to talk with your community partners and listen to their ideas. We transitioned to our philanthropic focus on STEM over a period of a few years so that it did not come as a surprise to our community partners. We’ve continued to work with those where we could align our interests, like Girl Scouts, to develop programs that are even stronger than our past investments. Secondly, we learned to never underestimate the results you can obtain with passionate employee volunteers — ask, give them a challenge and let them work their magic. We love our employee volunteers! Many of the skills they use on the job everyday are of great value to the community partners we work with. When you combine that skill with their passion around a cause, you have a winning combination. Thirdly, you must be willing to adapt along the way. Since this is a new program, it won’t be perfect so we are willing to adapt. Our goal is that other Girl Scout Councils would want to offer the badge to their girls as well.”

Is the success of this initiative measurable?

“Yes. We will know how many girls have completed the requirements to receive the patch. One of the great things is that no matter what level Girl Scout you are, there is age-level curriculum and activities so that interest can be maintained throughout all years of the scouting experience. As an incentive, Girl Scouts is giving the patch for free in return for a copy of their completed ‘workbook’ and feedback. This is a great way to continually improve the program.”

What kinds of feedback have you received from employees?

“Kim Smith (at left with Scouts), operations manager for Internet marketing for TI and head of the TI Women’s Network who was one of the key TI employee volunteers for this program, said: ‘Math and science is in everything you do. I don’t think that you even know what is possible out there as a young woman growing up. It’s important to show girls that they can be anything they want. And when girls succeed, so does society. We need more girls in these areas. We want girls to have fun learning STEM, and it is fun changing the world and people’s lives and their mindset.’”

IKEA Foundation Extends Commitment to Fight Child Labor Into Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan

05.17.2012 - 07:00AM

Today, IKEA Foundation and Save the Children announced they will expand their efforts to fight child labor in the cotton industry, with new programs in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajastan.

This expansion will build on already successful effforts in 1,866 villages in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra where more than 65,000 children (6-14 years) have been moved out of child labor and into classrooms. In addition, the projects have also helped 89,000 children (3-6 years) benefit from quality pre-school education (Anganwadi), and provided vocational skills to 16,000 15 – 18 year olds.

Ten-year old Rajesh (centre) was working in a cotton field in Morasiya village in Gujarat, but now he is going to school full time, thanks to a programme funded by IKEA Foundation and run by Save the Children. A similar programme will be rolled out for children in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in the Spring of 2012.

The three new projects will aim to replicate this success by:

Improving the quality of education to make sure children complete school and reduce the drop-out rate;
Enhancing family incomes through access to government social security and rural work schemes;
Raising awareness in cotton-growing communities of children’s rights and the dangers to children from working in cotton fields and factories.

“This is a natural step in our long collaboration with Save the Children to strengthen children’s rights in India,” said Per Heggenes, CEO of IKEA Foundation. “If we can create more opportunities for children in developing countries by improving education and awareness of children’s rights, we can help these children break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for themselves, their families and society at large.”

The projects have been designed in partnership with Save the Children to ensure that communities are actively involved in preventing children from working on cotton and cotton-seed farms by setting up Child Protection Committees, providing quality education and building families’ capacity to access alternative sources of income.

The new work in Punjab and Haryana, two of India’s largest cotton producing states will build on this community involvement model. A study commissioned by IKEA Foundation in 2008 revealed that prosperous Punjab has one of the highest percentages of child labor of all of India’s states, with an estimated 25% of the cotton picking force. Haryana is not far behind, with 16% of cotton picking labor being children. This study estimates about 500,000 child laborers in Punjab, 350,000 in Haryana and 440,000 Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan, one of the poorest states in India where more than 46% * of the children drop out of school, the work will also include a focus on child migration from the district of Banswada.

Thomas Chandy, CEO of Save the Children India says, “Children’s groups have played an essential role in educating local officials and parents in the risks of sending children to work and the importance of education. We are delighted to be able to work with the IKEA Foundation in expanding this work further to reach even more children across India.”

IKEA Foundation’s efforts to tackle child labor in India and Pakistan began in 2001.

Working with farmers to change community attitudes about child labour is a key part of the programme’s success. This sign, hanging in Magnad village, provides positive recognition to five local farmers who have pledged not to use child labour.

About IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in developing countries by funding holistic, long-term programs that can create substantial, lasting change. The Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and sustainable family income. Currently-funded programs benefit an estimated 100 million children. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org.

About Save the Children

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We are 29 national organisations working together to deliver programs in more than 120 countries around the world. Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

*Ministry of Human Resources Development Annual Report: 2009-10.

Optimizing Wind Power O&M

05.16.2012 - 04:26PM

With new wind installations in the US forecast to slow down beyond the end of 2012, the onus for optimizing the performance of existing assets has increased. Developers are looking at shifting more resources towards the O&M side of their business, whilst for OEMs, a softening sales market is enhancing the need for maintaining exceptional after-sales services and performance.

The 4th Annual Optimizing Wind Power O&M conference returns as an interactive and intimate setting for addressing your critical operational challenges, with a keen focus on real experiences and enhancement of O&M strategy.

The agenda is designed around the key factors that can improve the operational performance of your projects:

Are you involved with equipment that is coming out of warranty?
Can you share your experiences with implementing a predictive approach to maintenance?
Do you oversee a data analysis team that has achieved breakthroughs in advancing your wind asset management strategy?
Is your company achieving improved reliability and reductions in down-time?
Have you successfully conducted retrofits or repowering on older wind farms?

Confirmed speakers include:

Brian Hayes, Executive Vice President, Asset Operations, EDP Renewables, North America
Dan Brake, Technical Services General Manager, Renewables, NextEra Energy Resources
Gerrud Wallaert, Regional Operations Manager, Midwest / Northeast, E.ON Climate and Renewables
Jean Lemaire, Project Director, Akuo Energy
Dave Magill, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Competitive Power Ventures
Todd Wynn, General manager of Wind Operations and Maintenance, Enel Green Power
Ryan McGraw, Head of Asset Management, Orion Renewable Energy Group
Steve Gilbert, Senior Manager Renewables O&M, Alliant Energy
Gabriel Vaca, Director, Asset Management, NaturEner
Valerie Peters, Wind Reliability Lead Analyst, Sandia National Laboratory

For more information visit our event website - http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/link/WE1209US.html?=csr

As Eurovision Song Contest Approaches, Concerns About Hidden Cameras In Azerbaijan Hotel Rooms

05.16.2012 - 01:33PM

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre sought responses from seven companies that operate leading hotels in Baku, Azerbaijan, about reports that hidden cameras have repeatedly been placed in hotel rooms in the country to record people having sex in order to blackmail them.

Victims have included journalists and critics of the government. Last year, for example, two opposition journalists were secretly filmed in a hotel room having sex; this was later broadcast on a television channel owned by a cousin of President Aliyev.

One victim said that visitors to Azerbaijan for the Eurovision Song Contest (finals 26 May 2012) should be aware that cameras are sometimes planted in hotel rooms. The Azerbaijani organization Free Youth (Azad Gənclik Təşkilatı) issued a statement in March 2012 warning tourists visiting the country not to have sex under any circumstances, stating that hidden cameras are installed on the premises of all hotels.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre asked each hotel to respond to these human rights concerns, and to indicate what it is doing to prevent such abuses from taking place on their premises in Azerbaijan.

All seven companies responded: Excelsior Hotel Baku, Hilton, Hyatt, Kempinski, Radisson (Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group), Ramada Hotel Baku (Wyndham Hotel Group), Sheraton Hotels (Starwood Hotels). All the responses can be accessed here.

Christopher Avery, Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, commented: “We hope that all hotels in Azerbaijan will resist any attempt to plant cameras in their rooms – a violation of the right to privacy, and in some cases also an attempt to deter critics of the government from exercising their right to freedom of expression. If there are further reports of hidden cameras, we will draw this to global attention, alerting journalists, investors, tourist agencies, and the United Nations Working Group on business & human rights.”

Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have raised a broad range of concerns about human rights violations by the Government of Azerbaijan in the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is approaching corporate sponsors of Eurovision to respond to the human rights concerns raised in connection with the hosting of the event in Azerbaijan. The responses will be made public on 23 May, along with a list of any companies that fail to respond.

If any organization or individual wishes to comment on this issue, or on the company responses, the Resource Centre will also post those statements. If those comments criticise the response of a particular company, the Resource Centre will invite that company to respond to the criticism.

About the Resource Centre

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is an independent non-profit organization that encourages companies to respect human rights. Our website links to reports on the human rights impacts (positive & negative) of 5100 companies worldwide, and provides guidance tools to assist companies and others working in this field.

Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of Ireland, is Chair of the Centre’s International Advisory Network. The Centre’s Academic Partners comprise 23 leading academic institutions. The Centre’s researchers are based in Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Senegal, South Africa, UK, Ukraine and USA.

For further details, see the "About us" section of our website.

2012 LOHAS Speaker Line Up Defines the Future of Eco Integrity for $290 Billion Green Market

05.16.2012 - 11:45AM

The LOHAS Forum, the nation’s premier gathering of thought leaders, investors and industry executives focused on the $290 billion LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) market, announced today the speaker lineup and full program for this year’s LOHAS Forum 2012. Now in its sixteenth year, the event will take place June 12 – 14 in Boulder, Colorado with interactive discussions focused on a broad portfolio of current issues including alternative energy, health and wellness, social justice, branding, green customer loyalty and effective ways to raise capital.

Speakers at LOHAS Forum 2012 include Chip Conley with Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Toni J. Bellafiore with American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Gopi Kallayil with Google, Jodi Berg with VitaMix, Sue Harvey Brown with Patagonia Footwear, Madeleine Buckingham with Mother Jones, Mary Jo Cook with Fair Trade USA, Tom Laforge with The Coca-Cola Company, among many others.

LOHAS Forum 2012 will also feature a full schedule of interactive programming where attendees will be given access to thought leaders and industry experts with deep diving workshops, networking opportunities during daily receptions, meals and exercise activities; and intimate break-out sessions each afternoon.

For the first time ever, this year's LOHAS conference will integrate all the richness the city of Boulder has to offer. Taking advantage of the array of historical and significant local landmarks, cafes and restaurants, conveniently within walking distance of each other, serving as venues for the Forum's many events. Attendees will not only be treated to an inspiring and powerful event, but will also get to dive head first into the cultural roots of Boulder.

“The LOHAS community is looked at to pave the way for today’s consumers when it comes to the latest and greatest trends in healthy and sustainability – and it is events like the Forum that bring together the thought leaders in the space to facilitate open and creative dialogue,” said Ted Ning, director of the LOHAS Forum. “We could not be more excited for this year’s LOHAS Forum, as we will be turning Boulder into the ultimate eco-conscious hotspot and playing host to some of the most influential thinkers in sustainability.”

LOHAS 2012 Forum sponsors include Toyota, Mrs. Meyers, Gaiam TV, Presidio Graduate School, TAO Inspired Living, Think Thin, ECO Bonus, Ogden, NativeEnergy, Fair Trade USA, Sanitas Skincare, Cascadian Farm, VitaMix, New Hope 360, 1% for the Planet, Rancho La Puerta, LARABAR, Compendium, Natural Marketing Institute, DotGreen, BackJoy, Room214, Opti Bike, Shelton Group, Frey Vineyards, Haberman, Social K, Q-Link, Eco Spa 360, WhiteWave Foods, and Saeger Media Group. Media Sponsors include, Fast Company, CSRwire, Mother Jones, Spirituality & Health, Experience Life, Organic Spa, VividLife, Ethical Markets, Colorado Biz, Free Speech TV, ReDirect Guide, Ode, and Boulder County Business Report.

To view the full program and for registration, visit http://www.lohas.com/forum and to attend as a member of the press, contact Jessica Busch at jessica@saegermediagroup.com.

About LOHAS:

LOHAS, an acronym for ‘Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability,’ describes a marketplace focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. One in four Americans is part of this group – nearly 41 million people and growing

Since its inception in 1996, LOHAS has been the catalyst for the adoption of sustainable living and environment-friendly practices for the globally conscious business community. The LOHAS Forum is the leading annual gathering of thought and opinion leaders in the LOHAS marketplace. The LOHAS Forum features highly influential speakers and panelists who address and explore some of today’s most prominent issues and business challenges, in the world of health and wellness. Other events include musical performances, workshops and networking receptions.

Opportunity International to Expand Access to Financial Services in Tanzania

05.16.2012 - 09:38AM

(Marketwire) - Opportunity International announced it received a $250,000 grant from Monsanto Company, an agricultural company committed to improving farm productivity and crop quality, to expand access to affordable financial services in Tanzania that will enable emerging entrepreneurs to generate more income for their families, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.

"Opportunity International is grateful to Monsanto Company for supporting its efforts to alleviate global poverty by providing impoverished people with access to life-changing financial services," said Dennis Ripley, senior vice president, International Business Development, Opportunity International. "Over the past year, Opportunity has witnessed a tremendous growth in demand for small business microloans among struggling entrepreneurs in Tanzania. We started 2011 with just over 3,000 clients in Tanzania, and at the end of the 1^st quarter in 2012, we were serving more than 7,767 clients, representing a 159 percent increase."

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world with approximately 90 percent of its people living on less than $2 per day, and 60 percent living on less than $1 per day. One out of every three Tanzanians is self-employed, yet less than five percent of the population has access to formal banking and financial services.

Since 2008, Opportunity has aggressively expanded its operations to enable a greater number of entrepreneurs -- the majority of whom are women -- to secure personal savings accounts, borrow capital for their businesses, receive training to develop professional and life skills, and obtain insurance to protect their assets. "With Monsanto Company's support, Opportunity is well-positioned to empower many more of Tanzania's poorest citizens to work their way out of chronic poverty, transforming their lives, their children's futures and their communities," continued Ripley.

"At the core of Monsanto's business is a commitment to improve the lives of people around the world, which aligns closely with Opportunity International's efforts to alleviate poverty and to empower the world's working poor through access to affordable, convenient financial services," said Natalie DiNicola, vice-president of sustainable partnerships, Monsanto. "It is our hope that the partnership with Opportunity will foster entrepreneurship among Tanzanian citizens and we look forward to witnessing the impact that our contribution will have."

Monsanto is committed to supporting farmers in developing countries through initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity. The company is a partner organization in the World Economic Forum and supports the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) initiative. Monsanto's involvement in SAGCOT is a part of the company's efforts to support Tanzanian President Kikwete's Kilimo Kwanza (Agriculture First) initiative, strengthening the country's economy through agricultural production.

About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: www.monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoNews, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

About Opportunity International
Opportunity International provides access to savings accounts, small business loans, insurance and training to over four million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in more than 20 countries use these financial services to start or expand a business, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety net for the future. For more information, visit www.opportunity.org.

HEINEKEN Honoured for Global Health Practices

05.16.2012 - 09:16AM

Last night, HEINEKEN received the prestigious GBCHealth Business Leadership Award at GBCHealth's annual conference in New York City. HEINEKEN has been selected to receive this award by GBCHealth for its enduring commitment to and excellence in its support for health-related programming for its employees, their dependents and the communities in which it operates.

John Tedstrom, CEO GBCHealth, stated: "Heineken is an unsung hero in Global Health. It is a corporate leader who has dedicated its energy, attention and resources over more than two decades to tackling some of the most challenging global health issues of our time. From the company's first HIV awareness and prevention programs in 1989 to its decision in 2001 to offer HIV care services as part of its employee medical benefits package (a program many other companies have since replicated), to being an integral voice in shaping critical policy efforts, Heineken has been a trailblazer in the global health space going above and beyond its core business to address issues that other companies find difficult to address."

Stefaan van der Borght, Global Director Health Affairs HEINEKEN, said: "We are extremely honoured with this award. At HEINEKEN people are our greatest assets. No other asset in the company is as important as the people that contribute with their work to our business results. Therefore, HEINEKEN commits itself to provide a healthy working environment for all employees, contractors working on its premises and for those hired by HEINEKEN further along the supply chain. We have been actively focusing on health care of our employees and communities for over twenty years now and will continue to do so going forward. At the same time we realise our health care work has only just begun."

HEINEKEN operates in many different countries. Particularly in the area of healthcare, being a multinational company means taking on responsibilities and actively contributing to the development of societies. HEINEKEN is active in helping combat the world's poverty diseases: malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Its HIV/AIDS programme is an important and integrated part of HEINEKEN's healthcare initiatives, aimed at both prevention and access to anti-retroviral drugs.

At the end of 2007 HEINEKEN launched the Heineken Africa Foundation in order to support the improvement of health for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. HEINEKEN has endowed the Foundation with EUR 20 million, which allows up to EUR 1 million per year to be invested in relevant health projects and health-related education. To date, the Foundation has committed EUR 3 million which supports 33 projects.

Note to editors:

HEINEKEN is a proud, independent global brewer committed to surprise and excite consumers with its brands and products everywhere. The brand that bears the founder's family name - Heineken® - is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world's most valuable international premium beer brand. The Company's aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world's most valuable brand portfolio. HEINEKEN wants to win in all markets with Heineken® and with a full brand portfolio in markets of choice. The Company is present in over 70 countries and operates more than 140 breweries with volume of 214 million hectolitres of group beer sold. HEINEKEN is Europe's largest brewer and the world's third largest by volume. HEINEKEN iscommitted to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 250 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Desperados, Dos Equis, Foster's, Heineken®, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Strongbow, Tecate, and Zywiec. Our leading joint venture brands include Cristal, Kingfisher, Tiger and Anchor. In 2011, revenue totaled EUR 17.1 billion and EBIT (beia) was EUR 2.7 billion. The number of people employed is around 70,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com.

10th Anniversary Cause Marketing Forum

05.10.2012 - 02:00PM

Cause marketing is now widely recognized as one of the most powerful marketing strategies for both companies and causes with conservative estimates quantifying corporate cause sponsorships at $1.68 billion in 2011.

The annual Cause Marketing Forum is the must-attend conference of the year focusing solely on this increasingly important marketing approach and subset of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Appropriate for both novice and seasoned cause marketers, the annual Cause Marketing Forum covers a wide range of topics featuring expert cause marketing speakers and discussion group leaders. From legal considerations to forming the perfect corporate-nonprofit partnership to harnessing the power of social media for your cause marketing campaign, no cause-related marketing topic is left uncovered.

Attendees will hear from executives, marketing and corporate social responsibility professionals from companies including Zynga, Procter & Gamble, Campbell’s Soup Company, Whirlpool, ANN Inc., Yum! Brands, The Coca-Cola Company, AOL/Huffington Post Media Group and others.

Nonprofit speakers include executive and cause marketing representatives from U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, KaBoom!, ACCION, World Wildlife Fund, DoSomething.org, March of Dimes, Adopt a Clasroom and others.

Highlights include:

A behind-the-scenes look at the integrated cause-related marketing effort, Arctic Home, partnering The Coca-Cola Company and World Wildlife Fund and lessons learned from this major initiative.
Keynotes by U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s President and CEO Caryl Stern and Procter & Gamble’s Group Vice President for North America Melanie Healey
The Great Breast Cancer Debate – a panel discussion of this cause marketing poster child that generates more corporate funding and more controversy than any other in the field.
Digital sessions offering trends on crowdsourcing and the gamification of cause marketing. - A practical cause marketing Legal Update from Attorney Ed Chansky
The Perfect Pitch - A new, edutational session starring three cause marketing pros pitching a single nonprofit to a panel of judges and
The Cause Marketing Halo Awards – the brightest and best examples of 2011 cause marketing campaigns from 9 individual categories. Hear lessons learned from two of this year’s winners in Halo Spotlights.
A frank conversation about how to bridge the divide between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Cause Marketing efforts.
Networking receptions, including our festive Opening Reception, sponsored by .ORG, the Public Interest Registry.
A lively celebration of Cause Marketing Forum’s 10th Anniversary year, including the 10th Birthday Bash, sponsored by MSLGROUP Americas.

Helping People On Their Path To Better Health

05.10.2012 - 01:54PM

Bridging the Americas Seminar 2012: Corporate Accountability and Sustainability in Latin America

05.09.2012 - 01:34PM

The Bridging the Americas Seminar 2012 is a hands-on, interactive workshop that focuses on the rapidly growing links between old-fashioned corporate social responsibility and new-fashioned corporate sustainability in Latin America. Designed to meet the needs of corporate executives, government officials, leaders in the nonprofit world, and academics working in this emerging field.

Features:

Internationally prominent speakers from the US, Mexico and Brazil
Small group dynamics
Development of tools in accountability and sustainability with special reference to the Latin American context

Speakers include:

Luiz Eduardo Osorio, Raízen, São Paulo, Brazil
Charles Ansbach, Ansbach and Associates Sacramento, California
Martha Honey, Center for Responsible Travel, Washington, D.C.
Bianca Brasil, Instituto LIFE, Curitiba, Brazil
Paul Rice, Fair Trade USA, Oakland, California

Registration fee: $2,200. Includes hotel, meals, simultaneous translation and instructional materials.

Sponsored by LLILAS (the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies) and the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

PR News' SEO Webinar: Day-to-Day SEO Tactics to Amplify All Your PR Messages

05.09.2012 - 10:13AM

Join PR News on May 16 for this tactics-packed webinar that will make you a master at understanding search and how best to optimize your content.

This SEO webinar will show you how to select effective keywords that resonate with your intended audiences and have an impact on search results; how to optimize video, photos, images and social media for search; develop content grounded in SEO principles that does not conflict with Google's guidelines; write SEO-driven copy that turns readers' heads without turning them off; and measure the results of your efforts to take back to senior management.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Publishes 2011/2012 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report

05.09.2012 - 10:00AM

PR News' Platinum PR Awards - Entry Deadline is Friday, May 11

05.08.2012 - 04:32PM

PR News' Platinum PR Awards salutes the year’s most outstanding communications initiatives and programs in the highly competitive and dynamic PR arena. The coveted awards set the industry benchmark for excellence across all areas of PR.

The winners of the Platinum PR Awards are from corporations, agencies and nonprofits large and small who took chances, made tremendous strides and understand the power of public relations. Your hard work is done – now it’s time for you and your team to get recognized for it!

The Entry Deadline is this Friday, May 11. Are you ready to enter? It’s simple to compete, as your campaigns and people speak for themselves. But you have to enter to be considered, so don’t let your competitors steal the show.

We’ll be honoring the winners in September 2012 in New York City, and in the annual PR News PR Platinum Awards Issue. Please contact PR News' Laura Berdichevsky at lberdichevsky@accessintel.com with any questions.

Social Innovation Summit 2012: Featuring Alicia Keys, Tiki Barber, Jeff Swartz and Jeffrey Hollender

05.08.2012 - 08:00AM

We are pleased to invite CSRwire members to join us for the 2012 annual Social Innovation Summit at the United Nations for unparalleled networking opportunities with an exclusive mix of global attendees on May 30 - 31, 2012.

Social Innovation Summit 2012 is a premier invitation-only conference connecting and inspiring a unique network of Business, Technology, & Community leaders interested in affecting positive social change. The summit balances significant networking time with high-profile global speakers presenting emerging trends across social innovation themes such as economic development, education, women & girls, sustainability and global health.

We are happy to offer CSRwire members this opportunity to join an otherwise closed event with a fantastic lineup of world class speakers including:

Alicia Keys, Multi-Platinum Grammy Singer, Songwriter, Actress & Philanthropist
Howard W. Buffett, Executive Director, Howard G. Buffett Foundation
Craig Venter, Chairman & President, J. Craig Venter Institute
Jonathan Greenblatt, Head, Office of Social Innovation, White House
Kay Koplovitz, Chairman, Liz Claiborne
Jean-Pierre Rosso, Chairman, World Economic Forum USA
Peter Bloom, Managing Director, General Atlantic; Chairman at DonorsChoose.org

Along with our event partners the United Nations Office for Partnerships we would be honored if you would accept our invitation, with details as follows:

Agenda:

Thursday, May 31st

9:00-6:00pm: Main Event Program

6:00-8:00pm: Networking & Cocktail Reception

Pre-Conference: Wednesday, May 30th (**optional)

2:00-6:00pm: Interactive Workshops & Roundtables

6:00-8:00pm – Networking Reception

Partial List of Confirmed Speakers:

Adam Brotman, Chief Digital Officer – Starbucks
Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman of the Executive Committee – Hasbro
Alicia Keys, Multi-Platinum Grammy award-winning Musician, Actress & Philanthropist
Bill Gross, Chairman & CEO – Idealab
Craig Venter, Chairman & President – J. Craig Venter Institute
Desh Desphande, Chairman & Co-Founder – Sycamore Networks
Dov Seidman, Chairman & CEO – LRN
Ellen Lambert, Executive Director, Corporate Contributions – Merck
Howard W. Buffett, Executive Director – Howard G. Buffett Foundation
Hunter Walk, Head of Social Good Initiatives – YouTube
James Gowen, Chief Sustainability Officer – Verizon
Jean-Pierre Rosso, Chairman – World Economic Forum USA
Jeff Swartz, Former CEO & President – Timberland
Jeffrey Hollender, Co-Founder – Seventh Generation
Jonathan Greenblatt, Head, Office of Social Innovation – White House
John Abele, Founder – Boston Scientific Corporation
John Wood, Co-Chairman & Founder – Room to Read
Kay Koplovitz, Chairman – Liz Claiborne
Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, President – Marc and Laura Andreessen Foundation
Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman & Founder – One Laptop Per Child
Nick Beim, General Partner – Matrix Partners
Rebecca Lucore, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility – Bayer Corporation
Rhonda Mims, President – ING Foundation
Shannon Schuyler, Senior Managing Director, Corporate Responsibility – PwC
Soon-Hong Choi, Chief Information Technology Officer – United Nations
Steve Gleason, Former NFL Player; Founder – Team Gleason Foundation
Timothy McClimon, President – American Express Foundation
Tiki Barber, NFL Former Pro Bowl Running Back & NBC Broadcaster
Tom Shadyac, Director, Screenwriter, and Producer – Ace Ventura, Bruce Almighty, I Am

Online Registration
Summit Website: www.socinnovation.com
Ticket Price: $1295 for two-day conference; $995 for one-day
VIP Code: CSRwire10 (10% discount for CSRwire members)

Confirmed Attendees: Attending will be an elite invitation-only gathering of top Fortune 500 corporate executives, venture capitalists, government leaders, heads of CSR, foundation presidents, and social entrepreneurs including firms such as:

Abbott
American Express
AOL
Bank of America
Bristol-Myers Squibb
CBS
CDW
Citi
Cisco
Deutsche Bank
Discovery Communications
Draper Richards Foundation
eBay
F5 Networks
Facebook
First Round Capital
Ford Foundation
Gap
General Electric
Gilt Groupe
Goldman Sachs
Google
Heineken
Hewlett-Packard
ING
Intel
J. Craig Venter Institute
JPMorgan Chase
Lockheed Martin
MasterCard
Merck
McKesson
McKinsey
Microsoft
Mitsubishi
National Geographic
NBC Universal
Nike
NYU
Omidyar Network
Oracle
Pfizer
PwC
Robin Hood
Salesforce.com
Samsung
Siemens
Skoll Foundation
Sony
Starbucks
T-Mobile
Twitter
Time Warner
United Nations Foundation
Verizon
Viacom
VMware
Wall Street Journal
Wal-Mart
Walt Disney
Western Union
William J. Clinton Foundation
World Bank
Zynga

Webcast: How to Become a CSR 2.0 Leader

05.07.2012 - 12:59PM

As part of the ongoing Conversations with Stephen series, Katherine Pickus, Divisional Vice President of Global Citizenship and Policy at Abbot and Vice President of the company's foundation, the Abbott Fund will join Stephen Jordan for the discussion "How to Become a CSR 2.0 Leader." The interview will discuss how companies can create sustainable, scalable solutions that meet their CSR programs goals through business innovation.

About the Conversations with Stephen Series
U.S. Chamber BCLC’s Conversations with Stephen series is produced and moderated by BCLC founder and executive director Stephen Jordan. Guests engage in thoughtful, solution-oriented discussions and debates about the CSR field.

The six-part 2012 series is offered at no charge as part of BCLC’s commitment to share knowledge and best practices with current and upcoming CSR practitioners, in collaboration with strategic partner CSRwire.

Redesigning Your Employee Volunteer Programs for Value and Impact [California]

05.07.2012 - 09:56AM

A one-day workshop designed to help increase the value and strategic relevance of your employee volunteer program.

June 6, 2012 Rosemead, Calif.

Are you concerned that your employee volunteer program isn't delivering value and impact? Frustrated that the program is not attracting more employees?

We'll also explore policies, procedures, and practices required to produce both results and meaningful metrics to incrementally improve your program.

This workshop is for you if you want to:

• Develop concrete next steps in improving your employee volunteer programs

• Learn how to eliminate practices that limit success

• Implement emerging practices to boost impact

• Explore strategies that lead to company-wide support

Redesigning Your Employee Volunteer Programs for Value and Impact [Ohio]

05.07.2012 - 09:55AM

A one-day workshop designed to help increase the value and strategic relevance of your employee volunteer program.

May 23, 2012 - Columbus, Ohio

Are you concerned that your employee volunteer program isn't delivering value and impact? Frustrated that the program is not attracting more employees?

Redesigning Your Employee Volunteer Programs for Value and Impact is a one-day workshop designed to help you rethink the possibilities of your volunteer program. You will learn what it takes to overcome limitations, maximize participation and connect the program to your organization's broader corporate citizenship strategy. We'll also explore policies, procedures, and practices required to produce both results and meaningful metrics to incrementally improve your program.

This workshop is for you if you want to:

• Develop concrete next steps in improving your employee volunteer programs

• Learn how to eliminate practices that limit success

• Implement emerging practices to boost impact

• Explore strategies that lead to company-wide support

Eurosif Procurement Report 2012

05.02.2012 - 11:56AM

Eurosif Media Sector Report

05.02.2012 - 11:56AM

The 2012 Edelman Good Purpose Report

04.27.2012 - 05:00PM

Smarter Sustainability Reporting

04.27.2012 - 09:07AM

The Smarter Sustainability Reporting Conference is taking place on May 15, 2012 at 76 Portland Place, London, UK. CSRwire members can receive 15% off when quoting CSR15 at the time of registration.

Smarter Sustainability Reporting is global event which illustrates strategies for companies to improve upon the development, quality and communication of their sustainability report. Speaking organisations include Wyndham Worldwide, Novo Nordisk, DuPont, Coca-Cola Enterprises, GRI, IIRC and more.

Anheuser-Busch InBev Releases 2011 Global Citizenship Report

04.26.2012 - 11:44AM

Shop Your Values Week

04.23.2012 - 07:02PM

Shop Your Values Week (http://shopyourvaluesweek.com) is a NYC-wide event to encourage all New Yorkers to buy from local, ethical, and sustainable businesses from May 3 - 10th, 2012.

Take the pledge to enjoy free events & discounts across NYC.

Major partners of the week include Meatless Monday, Green Table, Just Food, BSR, Eco Biz NYC, Green Map NYC, Fab NYC, Solar One, Realty Collective, Social Innovators Collective, Nona Brooklyn, M&M Pest Control, Green Mountain Energy, ThinkEco, Just Food, GrowNYC, Epicurean Management, 14th Street Y, IOBY, Brooklyn Food Coalition, Eat Well Guide, Restaurant Opportunities Center of NY, COMMON, and the Bard MBA in Sustainability.

Climate Change and Business Opportunities

04.23.2012 - 03:44PM

Webinar: Making the most of CDP

04.23.2012 - 02:36PM

Investor survey, many companies are already beginning to get their submissions ready. But what’s the real benefit of a CDP submission and how do smart companies get the most value from it?

Corporate Citizenship, a CDP Consultancy Partner in the UK and a 2012 Accredited Provider, is offering a free webinar to provide insights into the CDP reporting process.

Megan DeYoung, Director, US Office and Yohan Hill, Senior Consultant will leverage their experience advising companies on environmental reporting, assurance and corporate responsibility index submissions to discuss the following topics:

How to maximize the value of your CDP submission.
Internal benefits of CDP reporting.
Tips to creating an effective CDP response.

The free webinar will be offered two times on Thursday, April 26th 2012:

First offering at 9:00 AM EDT / 2:00 PM BST.
Registration: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/786121761

Second offering at 12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM BST.
Registration: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/130413784

About Corporate Citizenship

Corporate Citizenship is a full service corporate responsibility management consulting company, with offices in the US and the UK. Since 1997, we have advised leading, multinational corporations on how to enhance and align their citizenship and traditional business activities to create strategic business value. Our clients are international and domestic companies from many industries including Unilever, Abbott, HSBC, Verizon, National Grid, State Street, and Diageo.

GOJO Sustainability Report

04.23.2012 - 01:03PM

2011 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report

04.23.2012 - 10:40AM

RSC Equipment Rental Releases Third Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report

04.23.2012 - 09:30AM

Spring of Sustainability

04.20.2012 - 06:50PM

What if you could get on the phone with a world-class leader in sustainability every day for three months? ... and had access to a free replay if you couldn't make the call in real time?

The Spring of Sustainability, lasting through June 22, 2012, is bringing renowned sustainability pioneers to the public in free daily phone/webcast interviews, featuring Q&A’s that allow callers to interact with leaders and luminaries directly.

For Earth Day, Spring of Sustainability is offering a two-hour live-stream webcast presentation from 11am-1pm Pacific on Saturday, April 21 (after registering for the program, you can view the event at www.swcoalition.org/programs/earthday). The event will feature performances with Earth-honoring messages, including members of the Thrive movie creative team, Gary Malkin and Neal Rogin, award-winning poet Drew Dellinger, and a "sonic invocation" by Mystic Alchemy.

The core of the event will be a short, breathtaking film, The Awakening Universe, which powerfully expresses the evolutionary context of the Earth.

Spring of Sustainability highlights for the period surrounding Earth Day:

• Friday, April 20 – eco-philosopher Joanna Macy (free replay available for short time)

• Monday, April 23 - former Sierra Club President Adam Werbach

• Tuesday, April 24 – Your Money or Your Life author Vicki Robin

• Wednesday, April 25 – Endangered Species Coalition President Brock Evans

• …and coming up in a few weeks – former Presidential adviser Van Jones (Wednesday, May 16)

The half-hour weekday interviews are webcast – and accessible by phone – live at noon Pacific. A replay window is available for 24 hours.

Registration for the Spring of Sustainability is free, as is access to all the teleseminars. Sign-up is available at https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/SoSAffiliate/csrwire/ . Downloads and transcripts of the entire series are available for purchase.

Major environmental organizations are also participating in this massive, unprecedented global initiative.

Building a sustainable RBS

04.18.2012 - 10:00AM

Ceres Conference 2012

04.17.2012 - 02:14PM

A weak economy, partisan politics and fragmented and unsettled environmental policies have created a wrongful perception that climate change and other sustainability threats are being ignored by the global marketplace.

In reality, companies and investors, from Akron to Asia, from Billings to Brazil are innovating to use fewer resources, utilizing cutting edge low-carbon technologies and adopting paradigm-changing business models that will build the sustainable global economy.

Over the course of two days, Ceres conference attendees will engage in a dynamic and interactive program that will examine some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, create a forum for sharing best practices and present groundbreaking solutions that will drive us toward a more sustainable economy.

Tim Hortons: A Quiet Sustainability Leader

04.17.2012 - 09:18AM

If you haven’t heard the Tim Hortons sustainability story you’re not alone – this is an organization that does things quietly. But don’t mistake quiet for ineffective; whether you’re talking about coffee, cups, community or culture – Tim Hortons is a true sustainability leader.

Attendees of this event will learn more about the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership and…

Why eco-labels (especially for coffee) often don’t tell the whole story

Tim Horton’s supplier codes for coffee – driven by ethics and transparency

How investing in the Tim Horton’s Coffee Partnership led to other business benefits

How sustainability reporting drove change at Tim Hortons

And engage in an open discussion about, “Whose responsibility are all those cups?”

For more information or to register, please click here. This event is also available via FREE WEBCAST and offers a webcast/Twitter chat hosted by Aman Singh, Editorial Director of CSRwire.

GBCHealth Conference and Awards Dinner

04.16.2012 - 10:06AM

Join corporate executives, government leaders, policy makers and global health visionaries as we gather to explore the future role of business in creating a healthier workplace and world. This year’s GBCHealth Conference features eight major sessions exploring critical topics on business and health, presentations by visionary thinkers, more networking time than ever, and presentation of the 11th Annual Business Action on Health Awards.

The Conference and Awards Dinner brings together a distinguished group of senior leaders and participating speakers that include Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women; Sarah Brown, CEO of the Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown & President of PiggyBankKids; Barbara Bush, CEO and Founder of Global Health Corps; Ray Chambers, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria; Deepak Chopra, Founder of The Chopra Foundation; Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman; Julio Frenk, Dean of Faculty at Harvard School of Public Health & former Minister of Health of Mexico; Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company; Madam Bongi Ngema-Zuma, First Lady of South Africa; and Dean Ornish, Founder and President of Preventive Medicine Research Institute.

For more information, see Who's Attending and learn about last year's Conference, which more than 1,000 global leaders attended. For information on tickets, visit our Registration page.

Follow our Conference updates on Twitter using our Conference hashtag #GBCH12.

If you have any questions about GBCHealth's Conference and Awards Dinner, please email us at conference@gbchealth.org.

About GBCHealth

GBCHealth serves as a hub for private sector engagement on the world's most pressing global health issues. Since 2001, GBCHealth has worked with hundreds of members—individually and in partnership with one other—to tackle the challenges of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes and other health issues facing the workplace and communities where business is conducted.

Nestlé’s 2011 Creating Shared Value Report receives GRI A+ rating

04.12.2012 - 03:00AM

GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) 2011 Corporate Responsibility Report

04.11.2012 - 02:11PM

The SRI Conference

04.10.2012 - 03:56PM

The SRI Conference on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing (formerly SRI in the Rockies) is the premier annual gathering of investors and investment professionals working to direct the flow of investment capital to enhance the common good in the United States and around the world.

The 600+ attendees at The SRI Conference will include licensed investment professionals serving investor clients; representatives of SRI mutual fund companies, asset managers, social research organizations, and other product/service providers to the industry; and non-profit organizations, community development financial institutions, faith-based organizations, and other groups working with the SRI community on various social change issues.

The 23rd annual SRI Conference will once again feature a stellar, inspiring and provocative agenda, its legendary networking opportunities, and excellent access to sponsors in the Exhibit Hall.

Dates: October 2 - October 4, 2012

Location: Mohegan Sun Conference Center, Uncasville, CT

Gulf Conference on Social Responsibility & ISO 26000

04.10.2012 - 08:55AM

Under the Patronage of His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad Minister of Environment and Water, Chairman of ESMA,we are pleased to announce the Gulf Conference on Social Responsibility & ISO 26000.

Around the world, any organization's performance in relation to the wider society and environment it operates in has become a critical part of measuring its overall performance. Now more than ever, organizations, whether they are big multi-nationals, sector corporations, SMEs, non-governmental or government agencies, are subject to greater scrutiny by their various stakeholders.

ISO 26000, launched in November 2010, provides social responsibility guidance for all types of organizations. The seven principles of socially responsible behavior as outlined in the standard are: accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for the rule of law, respect for international norms of behavior, and respect for human rights.

As the world moves towards an age of radical transparency, organizations and stakeholders are becoming increasingly aware of the need for socially and environmentally responsible behavior. ISO 26000 is thus a timely and relevant guide to help organizations understand what social responsibility is and what they need to do to operate in a socially responsible way.

In response to this, the Emirates Authority For Standardization & Metrology (ESMA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Abu Dhabi University / AIM Events are pleased to provide you details of the forthcoming first Gulf Conference on Social Responsibility & ISO 26000.

Free Webinar: P&G Supplier Environmental Scorecard and YOU

04.09.2012 - 10:05AM

Take advantage of this opportunity to hear from those on the forefront of P&G’s global sustainability efforts. We’ll share what we’ve learned as a Company over the past few years developing an environmental supply chain scorecard. We’ll also show you how you can apply it to your own business.

In this webinar, you’ll see:

The lessons we’ve learned since launching our Scorecard
A live demo of the Scorecard in use
Ideas for reapplying the Scorecard to your own business—including how to use the publicly-available scorecard analysis tool

Speakers:

Dr. Peter White, Director of Global Sustainability, P&G
Larry Loftus, Director of Purchases Capability & Strategy, P&G

Date:

Wednesday April 18th, 9-10am EDT (3-4pm CEST)

Click here to register for this free Webinar: www.cvent.com/d/lcqpfp

For information on the results of P&G's Supply Chain Scorecard, view the recent press release here.

General Mills 2012 Global Responsibility Report

04.03.2012 - 11:59PM

2012 BALLE Business Conference: Real Prosperity Starts Here

04.03.2012 - 07:35PM

The 2012 BALLE Business Conference: Real Prosperity Starts Here connects you to the best people, resources and ideas to unleash local prosperity. Join more than 700 community innovators, business owners, and investors to:

Learn from pioneering entrepreneurs what business practices have the most triple bottom line impact
Network with the nation's local movement founders and visionaries
Witness how the latest community capital techniques are transforming the local economy
Catch the latest local business developments in public policy and economic development
Be inspired by local, community-supported everything: food, finance, manufacturing, energy, retail, and more

Real Prosperity Starts Here is proud to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, named “America’s Greenest City” by Fast Company magazine. As home to nationally acclaimed BALLE network and conference cohost, Local First West Michigan, Grand Rapids has put apathy, malaise and economic decline on the ropes, and you don’t want to miss the final round.

FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference & Awards

04.03.2012 - 12:13PM

The FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference is the major event on sustainable finance for industry leaders, corporate decision makers and financiers from around the world.

Now in their seventh year, the Sustainable Finance Awards reflect the growing role that the financial sector plays in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, including climate change and environmental degradation, social exclusion, food security, improving access to finance and using technology to better serve the world's poor.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

H.R.H Princess Maxima, Netherlands
Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women's World Banking
Sara Akbar, CEO, Kuwait Energy Company
Runa Alam, CEO, Development Partners International
Ladi Balogun, Group Managing Director / CEO, First City Monument Bank plc
Alan MacKay, CEO, Hermes GPE LLP
Dominic Scriven OBE, CEO, Dragon Capital Group Limited
Rachel Kyte, Vice President and Network Head, Sustainable Development, World Bank

Visit www.ft-live.com/sustainablefinance for more information.

The State of the Corporate Responsibility Profession Report

03.28.2012 - 01:09PM

Viacommunity Report 2010-2011

03.27.2012 - 09:30AM

SAP Sustainability Report 2011

03.26.2012 - 08:00AM

PwC Canada - Corporate Responsibility - Highlights 2011

02.27.2012 - 08:00AM

CSRwire United Nations Global Compact 2011 Communication on Progress

10.24.2011 - 08:00AM

Microsoft 2011 Citizenship Report

10.04.2011 - 07:25PM

2010 Merck Corporate Responsibility Report

09.30.2011 - 09:00AM

FedEx: I Deliver a Better World - A Global Citizenship Update

07.25.2011 - 10:43AM

GE 2010 Citizenship Report, "Sustainable Growth"

07.25.2011 - 08:48AM

Bayer Sustainable Development Report 2010

07.14.2011 - 03:20PM

Coca-Cola Enterprises Committed to 2020: Shaping a Sustainable Future in Europe

06.28.2011 - 10:31AM