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Global Corporate Citizenship ForumOutlook for Public-Private Global Development InitiativesApril 5, 2007 Forum Summary Paradigm Shift: Development Aid for Development's Sake Governance, information access, and linking social and economic objectives are seen as key ingredients for the development of emerging markets, as discussed at a BCLC global corporate citizenship forum on April 5 at the McGraw-Hill headquarters. Presenters from the UN, USAID, World Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation gave updates on their agencies — and virtually all of them are focusing in some way on how to strengthen governance and reduce corruption in developing countries. There was wide consensus that an absent business sector and a regulatory framework that stifles business opportunities condemns communities to poverty. Reeta Roy (Abbott), Maria Pica (Chevron), and Chuck Fowler (Fairmount Minerals) shared their perspectives on partnerships in emerging markets, while Michael Levine (Epstein, Becker & Green) noted that some legislative and regulatory approaches may actually have a chilling effect on business engagement, as some proposals may be used to mobilize single-issue activists against specific companies. The forum seemed to mark a shift away from regulatory CSR approaches toward the identification of business civic activities and public-private partnerships that can contribute to "win-win" solutions delivering both economic and social benefits. Don Pressley (Booz Allen Hamilton and a BCLC Board member) unveiled the prototype of a diagnostic tool to evaluate current aid flows and development challenges in emerging markets. As the tool becomes more robust, practitioners will be able to identify which needs are being met by which organizations, and where gaps exist. This will help social and economic investors make more informed decisions as they decide how to invest in a developing market, like Ghana or the Philippines. Coming up, BCLC will work with the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the UN Global Compact to develop a suite of information access tools about development challenges and opportunities. It will be modeled in the Philippines first. BCLC will host a conference on public-private partnerships and specific regional challenges facing emerging markets on September 19-20. If you are interested in learning more or supporting our efforts contact our staff at 202-463-3133 or BCLC@uschamber.com. Call for Information: 2007 Global Corporate Citizenship Report BCLC is seeking information from companies that have established partnerships with governmental or nongovernmental organizations to address social and economic development needs in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Africa and the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa. BCLC will release a global corporate citizenship report in September that showcases the role of the private sector in global development. To learn more about the report or how to participate, contact BCLC. Event Sponsors GlaxoSmithKline The Dow Chemical Company Abbott Laboratories Intel Kimberly-Clark Corporation Marriott The Mc-Graw Hill Companies Epstein Becker & Green ExxonMobil Verizon Communications
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