2009 Event Series: Discussion Forum

Featured Event Discussions:

• Simon Maxwell, ODI: Harnessing the power of business for development impact: towards the fourth generation What have we learned as we come to the end of this very successful meeting series? And what’s next?.... Continue
• Posted by Simon Maxwell on 7 October, 2009

• A "Good for Development" Company Mark: A Good Idea?The Overseas Development Institute has proposed a new "Good for Development" (GfD) Mark that recognises companies that are delivering development gains through their core business...Continue
• Posted by Business Fights Poverty on 11 August, 2009

• Euan Wilmshurst, Coca-Cola: "Developing Inclusive Business Models: A Review of Coca-Cola's Manual Distribution Centers in Ethiopia and Tanzania" Coca-Cola’s Manual Distribution Centers – or MDCs – are a major factor in our success in East Africa. Since they were first set up a decade ago, these small independently owned businesses now deliver over 80% of our drinks in the region.... Continue
• Posted by Euan Wilmshurst on 22 May, 2009

• Fiona Gooch, Traidcraft: Responsible Purchasing Initiative The professional activity of purchasing causes the dominant effect UK companies have on the livelihoods of workers and farmers who contribute to the supply chains which serve western markets. To address the importance of purchasing decisions the Responsible Purchasing Initiative has been initiated in collaboration with Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, investors, companies, NGOs and other experts to provide purchasers with guidance.... Continue
• Posted by Fiona Gooch on 27 April, 2009

• Caroline Ashley, ODI: "Six priorities for business and development" Six strong themes already emerge from the ODI / DFID / BAA Meeting Series on Harnessing the Power of Business for Development Impact. In the three meetings so far (six more to go) discussion ranged from how multinationals can harness their core business to support development, to how the poor can benefit from markets... Continue
• Posted by Caroline Ashley on 24 March, 2009

• Alan Gibson, Co-Founder, The Springfield Centre: "The making markets work for the poor (M4P) approach: what it is and why it’s important" Two warning lights in red should be acknowledged in considering the making markets work for the poor. First, development has a long and inglorious tradition of interesting ideas descending into snappy but empty slogans. Second, in “making markets work for the poor” we have a slogan that ticks all the required slogan boxes – irritatingly wholesome, reassuringly nebulous, virtuous yet bland ….. how could anyone be against it?... Continue
• Posted by Alan Gibson on 18 March, 2009

• Chris West, Director, Shell Foundation: "Promoting enterprise-based solutions to generate sustainable and scaleable solutions" Achieving scale lies at the heart of what the Shell Foundation is trying to achieve. Our mission is “to develop, scale-up and promote enterprise-based solutions to the challenges arising from the impact of energy and globalisation on poverty and the environment”... Continue
• Posted by Chris West on 14 March, 2009

• Graham Baxter, International Business Leaders Forum: "Business and international development objectives are no longer mutually exclusive" The 2009 event series from ODI, DFID and Business Action for Africa is one of a growing number of examples of how discussion about the role of business in international development is now entering the mainstream, which is to be welcomed... Continue
• Posted by Graham Baxter on 3 March, 2009

• Mike Barry, Head of Sustainable Business at Marks and Spencer plc: "Business can drive development for good, core commercial reasons, but it has to be smart about how it does it" Marks and Spencer – a UK-based retailer that sources from factories and farmers around the world - has been on a journey: moving beyond old-style philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, towards the long term goal of building a sustainable business... Continue
• Posted by Mike Barry on 18 February, 2009

• DFID Minister Gareth Thomas on how business and government can do more for poor countries British companies have made real progress in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in recent years but it is time to go further... Continue
• Posted by Event Organisers on 12 February 2009

• Core business competencies for development impact: going beyond CSR The shift from philanthropic CSR to using core business for development impact is no longer just an idea. It is being accepted within both the development and business sectors... Continue
• Posted by Event Organisers on 10 February 2009

• The downturn: an opportunity for business? Investing in responsible business practices could offer opportunities to companies battling the effects of recession, argues Caroline Ashley's ODI Opinion.
• Dame Barbara Stocking, Chief Executive, Oxfam GB, discussing the role of business in poverty alleviation in the context of the current economic crisis The impact of the current economic crisis on developing countries is variable. Although most do not face the dramatic declines in growth that Western countries are facing, impacts are still significant on what are already vulnerable communities... Continue
• Posted by Dame Barbara Stocking on 27 January 2009

• DFID Minister Mike Foster reflects on private sector development The economic crisis is a global problem. The effects on developing countries are being felt, and are likely to get worse. Up to 90 million people could remain in, or be pushed into extreme poverty as a result. This means governments around the world are focusing as a matter of urgency on how to attract investment and create the best conditions for growth... Continue
• Posted by Michael Foster MP on 21 January 2009

• New Private Sector Development Strategy from the UK Department for International Development Yesterday, at an event hosted with the Overseas Development Institute and Business Action for Africa, the UK's Department for International Development launched its new Private Sector Development Strategy. Read and comment on it here!
• Posted by Business Fights Poverty on 21 January 2009

• Impact, implementation, innovation and the business case: a lively agenda for 2009Inclusive business, responsible business, corporate engagement, harnessing core competencies … call it what we will, there is a great deal to discuss beyond our terminology. Through this new ODI DFID BAA Meeting Series we need to celebrate the emerging diversity of business models that combine high commercial and development value, and look hard at issues around implementation and impact... Continue
• Posted by Caroline Ashley on 20 January 2009

• Innovation in a crisis - Private sector strategies for development: access, competition and engagement in a downturn These are challenging times for the private sector development in developing countries. The downturn puts jobs, profits and poverty reduction goals at risk. It also questions old assumptions about the public-private division of responsibilities in delivering growth and development... Continue
• Posted by Event Organisers on 14 January 2009