Clinton Global Initiative: creating value for business and society

An interesting CSR event happened in New York City on Monday, May 11. The Clinton Global Initiative together with The Economist convened the meeting Global Challenges, Corporate Solutions: Creating Value for Business and Society, the aim of which was to discuss ways to help the world’s leading companies identify profitable and sustainable approaches to the world’s most urgent social and environmental challenges.

Check out who participated and what was discussed. I attended the Developing Human Development session which is a cross-cutting theme throughout four action areas where CGI helps companies utilize their core business expertise when addressing the major global challenges: climate change, education, health and poverty.

CGI provides a leadership forum where partnerships between governments, companies and non-profit organizations are nurtured and supported. Once a year, representatives from across these sectors from all over the world gather for the annual meeting to discuss progress and welcome new commitments. CGI members join with a two-year project which - because organically embedded into the company's culture - continue beyond this timeframe. For example, the HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care program of Levi Strauss & Co. goes back decades ago when the disease didn't even have a name and grew into a global program with significant influence in improving the social and economic life of vulnerable populations such as people with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

And, finally, a nice video from CGI Commitments to Action from Clinton Global Initiative on Vimeo.

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