With globalization comes responsibility. University for a Night participants spent a little time talking about why corporations should strive to better the societies and environments in which they operate and more on how to do it more effectively and on a larger scale. Here are some of their ideas.

Include sustainability, long-term impact and sensitivity to local culture and history as criteria in corporate philanthropy programs.
Today corporations are overcoming the challenge of justifying the value of corporate philanthropy programs to their bottom line and to their shareholders. But the most effective use of corporate philanthropic resources requires greater attention to the long-term impact of those resources.
Examples of groups working on this issue include:
Business for Social Responsibility, International Institute for Sustainable Development (Canada), Philippine Business for Social Progress, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Develop broad menus of possibilities for corporate citizenship action.
Many businesses find it a challenge to determine what is most needed in a particular country or locale. Local actors - including governments, business associations and civil society groups - should build ongoing dialogue with businesses and develop a list of possible interventions corporations could undertake to improve the quality of life.
Examples of groups working on this issue include: Keidanren (Japan), Mexican Center for Philanthropy, New York City Partnership, Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum (United Kingdom)

Establish systems of pollution rights in which polluters must pay for damaging the environment.
Such an approach is in use with some success in the automobile industry. Payments made under such a system could be used to help underwrite the costs of environmental clean-up and other compensatory government programs.
Examples of groups working on this issue include: BP Amoco, Cantor Fitzgerald, International Institute for Environment and Development, Royal Dutch/Shell Group

Develop programs that encourage investment in poorer countries and regions and ensure the security of those investments from political seizure.
Two key obstacles to investment in poorer countries and regions are a lack of widespread information about promising opportunities and concerns about seizure of assets. International aid agencies can provide technical support to establish programs to encourage investment. At the same time, governments can commit themselves laws that protect investments.
Examples of groups working on this issue include: American International Group, Merrill Lynch, UNCTAD

Create consultation and dialogue at all levels of society - from communities through nations and internationally - about biotechnology.
Given the tremendous potential for biotechnology and deep-seated concerns about its environmental, economic and health impacts, broad consultation is needed to increase understanding of the value and potential problems with biotechnology and establish policies on its use.
Examples of groups working on this issue include: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, International Rice Research Institute, Third World Network, Winrock International

 
 

Report Contents	Chair & President's Letter	Plenary Remarks	Recommendations	Synergos
Sponsors	Table Topics & Faculty	Organizations	About University for a Night