The World Forum Lille will meet on the 9th, 10th and 11th of October 2008 on the theme « Feed and protect the Earth: the economic players’ responsibility…»
The World Forum Lille
The context
Today’s economy boils down to confrontation and extremes.
Take the money-hungry capitalists and their relentless pursuit of short-term financial gain and the anti-capitalists who reject the world market. Creating balance and stability in the world economy with such radically opposing views is an incredible challenge, but one that can be met if every actor recognizes and assumes his or her collective responsibility to world economy.
All over the world, an increasing number of companies are showing that they can improve their results while better respecting man and the environment. The Social and Environmental Responsibility World Forum has set its goals upon going through these “good practices” and getting them to spread.
Many meetings have already or are planned to take place in various countries to promote a more responsible world economy. The Lille Forum is one of them, with a wish to make it innovative and large scale.
The strong points of the Forum
• An economic partners initiative.
• Its international scale strengthened by the diverse perspective of actors and experts in ESR from all over the world.
• A favourable environment – Lille and its area – land of social innovation at the heart of Europe.
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The events
Social and Environmental Responsibility as a way to “look after society” encompasses many different themes. In order to look at each of the three CSR components (social, environmental and economic) and encourage meetings between experts and business leaders, three major events, the international meetings, have been planned:
• in October 2007 on diversity and equal opportunity in the workplace; (see the program)
• in October 2008 on responsible commitment to feed and protect the Earth;
• in October 2009 on responsible and fair finance.
• in October 2010 : a World Convention and the Social and Environmental Responsibility World Manifesto.
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The organizing association
Alliances Pour la Responsabilité Sociale et Environnementale (For Social and Environmental Responsibility) is a non profit organisation pursuing the objective of "assisting organisations so they may improve their performance while better respecting people and preserving the environment".
More than 150 businesses have already joined Alliances, which was founded in 1993. Alliances is financed by public and private organisations.
Alliances is involved in four spheres of activity:
Searching for and Promoting Socially-oriented Actions
Each year, Alliances rewards good practices supported by the businesses and organisations of the Nord - Pas de Calais region.
Inclusion into businesses and Diversity
Alliances opens businesses to diversity to fight against discriminations and ensure equal treatment. Alliances makes them more aware of the Charter, plans a forum of seminars for equal opportunities and assists young graduates as they search for jobs.
Assisting Organisations on their way to CSR
Alliances raises the awareness of organisations concerning Social & Environmental Responsibility via meetings, workshops or audits.
The World Forum on Responsible Economy
Between 2007 and 2010 Alliances organises each years international meetings in Lille and convene the global players of Responsible Economy.
For more information: www.alliances-asso.org
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